Canadian Showdown Falls Short
Nov 19, 2004 by Ryan Barnett, SquashTalk Independent News Service © 2004 

THE CANADIAN DREAM              [see also Martin Bronstein's account]
Five cameras, a throng of local media and the cable network TSN joined the capacity crowd at BCE Place for the semi-finals of the Pace Savings and Credit Union Canadian Squash Classic. Canada's top two players Jonathon Power and Graham Ryding did their parts securing semi-final berths. Power slated to meet Australian Anthony Ricketts and Ryding in tough against the World #2 Thierry Lincou from France. Many "dared to dream" that an all-Canadian final was forthcoming. Sadly, on this overcast Toronto evening, it was not meant to be.

The Power/Ricketts encounter was up first. Ricketts was introduced to a smattering of polite applause whereas Power entered the new McWil all-glass court backed by the sounds of a local 3 piece band and a semi-standing ovation. As the match began Power feeding off the rush stormed out to a 4-0 lead thanks to some precision touch and early nerves from Ricketts. The rallies in this opening stanza were long and hard. It was hot inside the venue and that meant that the court was lively and the ball was really bouncy. Power maintained his 4 point cushion until the midpoint of this first game at which time Ricketts had settled into a comfortable rhythm and mounted a spirited comeback to send it into a tiebreak. Not to be daunted Power took the next point to lead 11-10. Power then hit a beautiful reverse cross court low and away, a switch is what some call it, that left Ricketts splayed on the floor. The first was his 12-10.

The 2nd was all Power. A series of flicks, holds, feather drops and unforced Rickett's errors saw the score balloon to 10-4. Power displaying his 1st and 2nd round form putting Ricketts under constant pressure. Game #2 to Power 11-6.

THAT DREADFUL CLANGING
Game #3 began following the pattern established previously. Power in complete control of things, cruising along and jumping out to a commanding 8-3 lead. Then for whatever reason things change. The sound I now hear with increasing frequency is not being made by the drummer of the band. You know the sound...the dreaded clang of the tin. I counted 10 errors from Power in this third game and despite sending things to a another tiebreak Ricketts emerges with the 12-10 triumph. Power commented post match "I got the glass arm a little bit started thinking about the win, made a couple mistakes, a few calls and all of a sudden he was in the game. He got a surge of energy when I thought he was tired and he mounted a comeback and came back and won that game"

If facial expressions mean anything it appeared as though Power looked worried and Rickett's relaxed as they entered the court for Game #4. The players exchanged points to 7-7 and there was now no doubt Ricketts had settled in and perhaps thought he had a shot?

He said " Being 2-0 down I knew I had to put in the extra effort. As the match went on I started to find my groove and I felt kind of confident and there were parts there where I felt as I like to call it my old squash game (prior to injury) going on."

Ricketts hung tough turned up the pace and began striking the ball with authority and the score is now 10-8 in his favour. Power levels thanks to a stroke and nice cross court flick and we have out third tiebreaker of the match. It's at this point where I look around the venue and see some very nervous spectators. The tension is unbelievable. Ricketts takes the next point with a backhand volley and then drills the tin on the ensuing rally. We're even at 11. Ricketts then commits another unforced error this time tinning a forehand drop. Power finally has matchball but it doesn't last long. Ricketts attacks the service and slams the ball right into the knick. Level at 12. New scoring system exciting? You better believe it! Power then has a forehand drop find tin and follows that up with a backhand drop into the same area. We're going five.

POWER TIRES ANTHONY OUT
Three tiebreakers in four games and a fightback from 2-0 down by Ricketts. It doesn't get any better than this. Could Ricketts pull off the upset and send Power packing in his own backyard? Nope..He said after "It was a great match obviously being down I had to work to stay in it and take it to 5. That extra effort took a toll on me and I had nothing left. I had to dig in too deep. Obviously if I could of got the first game it might of been different but that's the way it goes." Power took Game #5 11-2 and admitted after, "That was some hard work. I don't think anyone's seen a match like that before. I think I played well enough in the first two and really sort of worked him that by the fifth he didn't have much left physically. I haven't seen him stop running in my career so I was pretty happy with that to get him that tired."

Power will be looking for the 3-peat in Friday's final and his fourth tournament championship in five years. His opponent will be the Frenchman Thierry Lincou who dispatched Graham Ryding in 4 games. This match had it's moments and was evenly contested for the first game and a half.

Ryding looked really strong in Game #1 and prior to the match had the following to say. "I really want to get myself into the final and am hoping for a big result. Lincou looks fit right now and is playing at a fast pace. My strategy is to lift the ball higher onto the front and slow things down" This strategy worked to perfection as Ryding matched Lincou shot for shot and at 7-all pulled away and took the opener 11-8.

Well Game #2 was a carbon copy of the first only this time Lincou pulled away when things were knotted at 6. Lincou was just a little better and a little smoother on this night. After all he is the World #2. Ryding can hold his head high as not only did he make it to the semis, he made it through this tournament without suffering an injury. There aren't many players who can say that. Lincou took the next three games and had this to say about his upcoming clash with Power, "I have a different approach now on tournaments and on final rounds. I'm not satisfied when I reach the semi now or finals I want to try my best to win the final match, the last game. Against Jonathon this is his tournament, his home town, so obviously it's going to, you know, to be tough. He beat me 3-2 earlier this year in New York and I'm up for it you know. I'm very excited, I don't have the pressure on me. I think he will be very motivated for this win but I will give everything to win as well."

SEMI FINAL RESULTS:    [complete draw]
Jonathon Power(Can) defs Anthony Ricketts(Aus): 3-2 (12-10(2-0), 11-6, 10-12(0-2), 12-14(2-4), 11-2) 91mins
Thierry Lincou(Fra) defs Graham Ryding(Can): 3-1 (8-11, 11-6, 11-7. 11-6)

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