[Main Draw - PSA]     [Main Draw - WISPA]

Joshna Chinappa Achieved a Big Upset. Photo © 2006 Tavis Moonan

The match of the day and upset of the day was Joshna Chinappa's inspired victory over second seed Tricia Chuah from Malaysia, who she overcame an hour long five game battle.

Chinappa and Chuah played a fast-paced five game match.  Both players hit very tight and accurate shots, which made them cover the entire court for most of the match.  The accurate shot-making also forced both opponents to make several unforced errors.  Until the last game, when it seemed like Chuah lost steam and the players didn’t cross paths very much, almost every point ended in a let. 

Photos: quarterfinal action © 2006 Tavis Moonan

In the first game, Chinappa had a slow start, but then picked up momentum and won 9-6.  In the second game, both players fought hard to win and called a lot of lets.  Chuah won 9-7.  Much of the third game was played in the front court, as both women displayed their excellent drop shots and forward movement.  The game was close, but Chinappa made less unforced errors, and won in overtime 10-8.  Chuah won the fourth game decisively.  She gained a quick 4-0 lead, and despite Chinappa’s tying of the score at 4-4, Chauah’s drops on the forehand side were too good.  She maintained her lead to win the game 9-4 after hitting a shot that nicked and rolled out from the backhand corner.  The fifth game began with several 1-1 handouts, but then it seemed like Chuah lost a lot of energy as she was overpowered by Chinappa, who aggressively racked up at least 6 points in a row to win the game 9-1 and the match 3-2.      

The first match to kick off the quarterfinals also was one of the best, as Borja Golan (ESP) and Cameron Pilley (AUS) both delivered exceptional performances.

Solid length and fast paced rallies defined the first game, and Pilley was able to win the first game 11-8.  In the second game, Pilley and Golan battled to maintain control of the T as Golan took a strong lead 10-7.  Despite being down three game-points, Pilley remained composed and focused in order to tie the game score at 10-10. Pilley’s composure carried him to a 12-10 second game victory, putting him ahead 2-0 in games. In the third game, Golan took advantage of a momentary lapse in Pilley’s focus.  Golan played a strong third game, winning 11-5, to make the match score 2-1.

L J Anjema advanced to the semis. Photo © 2006 Tavis Moonan

Neither player would give the other an inch in the exciting fourth game.  Both players fought evenly to bring the score to 10-10.  Pilley’s focus would ultimately pull through, however, winning the fourth game 13-11.

On the men's side, second Seed Shahier Razik made easy work of Mark Heather this evening winning 3-0 convincingly. Razik set the tone early in the match by winning 6 straight points to take a 10-4 lead in the first game. In that stretch Razik hit two drop shots for winners along with a great boast that Heather was unable to retrieve. Razik finished the game two points later winning 11-5.

Heather got off on the wrong foot in the second game, hitting three tins, and hitting into a stroke in root to losing the first five points. Heather got himself back into the game bringing the score to 5-8. Razik then took total control and won the second game 11-6. The third game started very back and forth but once again Razik went on a scoring run and finished the match by winning third game 11-6.

At the top of the draw, LJ Anjema, the first seed advanced in a strong effort against wild card entry Chris Gordon of the USA.

2006 Bershire Open. Quarterfinal Round. RESULTS:

PSA QUARTERFINAL ROUND:

[1] Laurens Jan Anjema (NL) def [WC] Chris Gordon 11-1 11-8 11-6 39 min
[6] Hisham Ashour(EGY) def [Q] Amr Swelim (EGY) 11-10(3-1) 11-7 11-8 43 min
[3] Cameron Pilley (AUS) def [5] Borja Golan (ESP) 11-8 11-10(2-0) 5-11 11-10(3-1) 63 min
[3] Shahir Razik  def Mark Heather(ENG) 11-5 11-6 11-6 41 min

WISPA QUARTERFINAL ROUND:
[1] Sharon Wee MAS) def Mami Nishio (JPN)  9-3 9-3 9-3 30 min
[4] Samantha Teran (MEX) def   [6] Louise Crome (NZL) 9-7 9-6 9-10 9-5 44 min
[5] Dianne Desira (AUS) def  [3] Runa Reta (CAN) 9-6 9-1 9-2 37 min
 [8] Joshna Chinappa (IND) def  [2] Tricia Chuah (MAS) 9-6 7-9 10-8 4-9 9-1 51 min