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

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[The St Louis Open Main Draw]   [First Friday Report]

LOCAL HEROICS EXCITE CROWD

La Mude vs Nanda: A contest of speed vs reach. (Photo ©2005 Debra Tessier)

The last match of the second day of qualifiers brought out the biggest crowd yet to the St. Louis Galleria. For the first time ever, in St. Louis squash history, a pro qualifying match filled the galleries to capacity. It was "local boy," Greg La Mude, "the flea", against Dutch-based Australian Raj Nanda.

The match, in contrast to the physical battle between Anjema and Galvez which preceded it, was a finesse game. The struggle was beween the speed of La Mude and the wonderful reach and extension of Nanda. Greg "the flea" was covering the court well. The match started slowly, with both players struggling to find their length, but as the match proceeded, the discipline improved, the length improved and the finesse improved.

Almost throughout, the points were long and exciting. While the locals reached a fever pitch after La Mude took the first game, Nanda quieted the crowd by winning a long and see-saw second and then a third.

La Mude came back, with the support of the crowd and evened things a 2-2. At the end match fitness may have become a factor, as Nanda forged ahead and earned his main draw position.

Day Two Final Qualifying Results: [St Louis Open Draw]

Stewart Boswell (AUS) def Simon Parke (ENG) 11-4 11-4 11-6
Matthew Giuffre (CAN) def Scott Handley (ENG) 11-6 7-11 11-7 11-9
Raj Nanda (AUS) def Greg La Mude (RSA) 11-9 10-11(1-3) 11-6 8-11 11-7
Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) def Eric Galvez (MEX) 11-10(3-1) 11-4 8-11 3-11 11-8

More Final qualifier photos