2006 SSA Global Windy City Open Squash Championships Report
1st round of qualifying

GORDON CHALKS UP FIRST US VICTORY
It was fitting that American Chris Gordon should open play for this year’s Windy City Open: it is the richest tournament in North America and could become the yardstick by which other tournaments on the continent are judged.

Appearing on court with a tight-fitting red head covering, looking more like a religious leader than a squash player, Gordon, ranked 97, faced Robert MacFadzen, ranked 180, and predictably won in straight games. MacFadzen, originally from South Africa, now plays under the US flag, so this was an all US opening qualifying match. (It should be reported that it is a somewhat lean qualifying tournament with quite a few no-shows – only 24 players were available for the 32 man draw, giving unexpected byes to players who arrived ready to play today, who now find they have two spare days on their hands).

Gordon showed his greater experience with his steady play while it was obvious that MacFadzen has yet to have the hardening experience of constant match play. It was all over in 29 minutes and Gordon now goes forward to play Gavin Jones of Wales on Wednesday.

GOLAN MADE TO WORK HARD
Borje Golan, who took Graham Ryding’s scalp last week in the Canadian Classic, faced Patrick Chifunda, a 30 year old Zambian, ranked 151 in the world. Golan, ranked 47, might have thought he would have an easy ride to the next round but he reckoned without the speed and endless energy of Chifunda, who last year got up to 89 in the world rankings.

This man Chifunda is fast on his feet and even quicker with his hands. At points in the match I could have sworn he had elastic arms as he volleyed balls that appeared well beyond his reach. This was a terrific match to watch, a battle of wits as well as bodies, as Golan tried to outthink and out manoever his opponent and found the ball just kept coming back.

No matter how cleverly Golan played to get Chifunda out of position, Chifunda had this amazing speed to get the delicate drop and drive it to the back, to keep the ball in play. Golan had to work for 15 minutes to win the first game 11-6 and then had to work harder still in the second as Chifunda started adding drops and lobs to his thundering drives. Golan won the second 11-9 and was put to the test in the third as Chifunda’s short stuff increased, constantly putting the shrew Spaniard under pressure.

Chifunda’s tactics worked and he won the third game 11-9 with Golan showing signs of exasperation. In the fourth the battle was even fiercer with the older Chifunda not only failing to show signs of fatigue but seeming to increase his work rate. Golan gained the upper hand to lead 10-6 and then got jittery allowing Chifunda to almost close the gap to 10-9. On the fourth match ball Chifunda hit the ball just too hard, it went out of court and Chifunda went out of the tournament with it, as Golan took the game 11-9 and the match after 73 hard and always entertaining minutes.

I spoke to Chifunda after the match and he told me that his best win to date was beating Ben Garner last year. His drop from a high of 89 to his current 151 ranking was due to missing big tournaments last year. But his club in Washington DC is allowing him to play more tournaments and Chifunda wants to get in the best possible shape to lead the Zambian squash team in the Commonwealth Games in Australia in March.

The real fireworks came at the end of the day’s play when Patrick Bedore of Montreal took on Wade Johnson of Australia. This was a real Laurel and Hardy match up with Johnson looking more like a rugby forward and the slight Bedore looking like squash players used to look in the days of Hunt, Gamal Awad and Mohibullah Khan. Despite his size Johnson was fast around the court and both players used every inch of the court. I cannot remember one left wall duel of more than four shots. They simply were not interested in practising their backhand length and both players went for drops, boasts, low drives and lobs. Bedore is absolutely focused with determination that you can almost feel. I swore I saw flames coming out of his nostrils at various stages of the match.
Johnson is ranked 104 and Bedore 156, so the Montrealer knew a win here would be good for his confidence. Every point he won brought a clenched fist and every good winner a roar, almost as though he was his own audience.

Johnson never gave up but he could not contain Bedore’s attack; as the match wore on and Johnson started to blow, Bedore increased his shots to the front corners, bringing tired attempts at winners from Johnson. The match lasted just 33 minutes but featured squash of a much higher order than the players’ rankings would indicate.

Yes Bedore was victorious in straight games and will now test his confidence and game against Dan Jenson on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the other half of the first round qualifying will be played and the main draw starts on Thursday.

Qualifying Lineup and Monday Results from Chicago:
Cameron Pilley (AUS) vs Ryan Donegal (USA)
Laurent Elriani (FRA) def Dylan Patterson (USA) 11-7, 11-3, 11q-7 (43 mins)
Gavin Jones (WAL) bye
Chris Gordon (USA) def Robert MacFadzen USA) 11-5, 11-6, 11-7 (29mins)
Simon Parke (ENG) bye
Mark Heather (ENG) vs Michael Joint (AUS)
Davide Bianchetti (ITA) bye
Arshal Iqbad Burki (PAK) def Lefika Regontse (BOT) 11-2, 11-10 (2-0) 11-6 (31mins)
Mark Chaloner (ENG) bye
Darryl Selby (ENG) def Bernard Tissot (FRA) 11-5, 11-7, 11-1(30 mins)
Ben Garner (ENG) bye
Miguel Rodriguez (COL) vs Beau River (USA)
Dane Jenson(AUS) b ye
Patrick Bedore (CAN) def Wade Johnson (AUS) 11-5, 11-7, 11-9 (33mins)
Borja Goland (ESP) def Patrick Chifunda (ZAM) 1-6, 11-9, 9-11,11-9 (73 mins)
Renan Lavigne (FRA) bye.