2005 ST LOUIS OPEN
	Reports Draw/Results Qualifier 1, 1 Qualifer 1, 2 Qualifier day 2 Qualifier final Round 1 Quarters Semis Final Preview Photos: venue photos qual day 1 qual day 2 1st round quarters 1 quarters 2 semi 1 semi 2 final PSA Profiles

	CURRENT EVENTS St Louis Womens World Fog City Washington RECENT EVENTS US Open Bahrain Mexico City Hong Kong World Jr Men CONTENT Hall of Fame News Index RSS Version Club Links Gear Links E-boast Newsletter     (sign up now free)
www.princesquash.com

[The St Louis Open Main Draw]   [Sunday Report]

By all appearances, Jonathon Power was in position to win against Anthony Ricketts. (Photo ©2005 Debra Tessier) More Ricketts vs Power photos

SEMIFINALS FROM ST LOUIS

Jonathon Power and Anthony Ricketts engaged in a high quality, high energy battle here this evening. For the first two plus games, while the game was closely fought, Power seemed in control and in position to win.

The points were extended, close and with extended rallies. Through three games, the match had already lasted 78 minutes.

 

The match was played at close quarters, with a lot of interference calls. But all in all the players were focused on the match. Part way through the third Power began showing some signs of something that was slowing him. He looked as though he was going to conserve energy, as he fell behind 5-9 in the third. But as Power is wont to do, he sudddenly ran off a string of winning points and had evened it at 9-9. What only Power knew at that point, was that he needed to win it in three. After a few points of the fourth, it was clear that Power was very slowed by a hamstring problem. After eight points, he retired, injured.

James Willstrop stayed close to Amr Shabana but couldn't break through. (Photo ©2005 Debra Tessier) More Shabana vs Willstop photos

In the second match of the evening, Willstrop gamely came to play, but after his mighty battle and great win the night before, he appeared be having some difficulty loosening up, and was possibly laboring in the first two games. Meanwhile, Amr Shabana was at his best, making the winners when he needed to.

The contest, which lasted 52 minutes, was actually very close, and very cleanly played. Willlstrop was ready for everything Shabana tried in the third, and looked surprisingly fresh in winning the third. He seemed to have gotten his second win. But Shabana, ready to attack whenever possible, made it clear to Willstrop that he was going to have to work extremely hard to win. Shabana had too much focus, too much intensity, and the short game winners when he needed then in the third. It was a great tournament for James Willstrop.

St Louis MPM Open, Semifinals, Monday Sept 19 2005:

[7] Amr Shabana (EGY) def [8] James Willstrop (ENG) 11-7 11-7 7-11 11-7 (52m)
[6]Anthony Ricketts (AUS) def [4] Jonathon Power (CAN) 8-11 7-11 11-9 7-1, retired injury (85m)

[St Louis Open Draw]

A quiet night for shoppers at the Galleria, but no shortage of squash fans for the semi-finals. (Photo ©2005 Debra Tessier)

[More Ricketts vs Power photos, Shabana vs Willstop photos]