Patterson Defeats River in Lake Forest; Moves to Semis

First Round action with Michael Puertas and Connor O'Malley. (photo Mariankrausphotography.com)

Collecting the biggest win of his USA squash career, Round Hill club pro Dylan Patterson beat Chicago native Beau River  9-3, 4-9, 8-10, 9-3, 9-3.  It was Patterson's first ever win over River. Patterson kept the pace fast twisting River off the tee which took its toll by the fifth.  “I’m delighted in the win, though Beau dug in throughout.  It’s the first time I’ve beaten him,” Patterson admitted.

In rapid fashion no. 1 seed Preston Quick, volleyed his way to a 3-0 victory against “Friday” Odeh.  Both players spend most of their match angling in front of the short line with Quick skid-boasting many of Odeh’s deep forehand drives.

No. 2 seed Michael Puertas made light work of University Club of Chicago Assistant Pro

Conner O’Malley who happily took advantage of his default into the quarters.  Puertas controlled the tee most of the time and punished O’Malley by driving him deep and side-to-side.

 

Richard Chin (r) beats Oliner after a slow start. (photo Mariankrausphotography.com)

Five-time US National Team member Richard Chin made the most dramatic entrance of the evening taking a 5:30 pm flight out of La Guardia arriving at the Lake Forest Recreation Center from O’Hare airport via limousine.   Dressed in squash gear, he walked right out of the limo straight onto court for the evening’s final match-up.  “Chinner” took the first game to warm up against Ben Oliner loosing 5-9.  Oliner played smart hitting high on the front wall.  But New York based Chinner, finally adjusted to Central Standard Time, got his game back and won the next three 9-5, 9-1, 9-1.

Earlier in the day pros Yasser Kamel, Oliner, Patterson, Quick and Puertas were fitted by three stylists at Bloomingdale’ Old Orchard store who dressed them in the latest men’s fall fashions including looks by Juicy Couture, Men’s 7 for Mankind, Kenneth Cole and  Laundry for Men. 

Kamel, Quick, Puertas, Patterson and Oliner in Bloomingdale Fashions (photo Mariankrausphotography.com)

 
Quarterfinal Results:
Preston Quick beat Frances Odeh 9-6,9-3, 9-3
Dylan Paterson beat Beau River 9-3, 4-9, 8-10, 9-3, 9-3
Richard Chin beat Ben Oliner 5-9, 9-5, 9-1,9-5
Michael Puertas beat Conner O’Malley 9-1, 9-0, 9-1

Saturday’s Matches:
Semifinals
Quick vs. Patterson
Chin vs. Puertas

Consolations
O’Malley vs. River
Oliner vs. Odeh
Kamel vs. Ballard