White Pressures Jenson
Nov 5 2005, by Martin Bronstein   
Squashtalk Independent News; © 2005 SquashTalk LLC

[Men's Draw]      [Women's Draw]

KNEIPP FIZZLES

Dan Jenson and John White played 43 minutes of take-no-prisoners squash. Photo ©2005 Debra Tessier

Joe Kneipp needed a win this week, with his ranking having slid to #20 in the latest rankings table. Unfortunately for him, his draw in Boston had him meeting David Palmer in the first round. The two are familiar with each other's game, after many European league encounters, and a top-form Kneipp would give Palmer a lot of trouble.

There was really nothing specifically wrong with the way Kneipp approached this evening's opening match, but there was nothing right either. Joe needs to speed up the pace and create movement and uncertainty on court to take best advantage of his creative racquet mind. He was a little to relaxed coming in, and as a consequence, Palmer was able to get into an early and easy rhythm.

Each point appeared on the surface relatively even, it was only that most of them were won by Palmer. Kneipp was not even in the first two games.

To his credit, Kneipp came out determined and on fire in game three. He took a lead and held it to game ball, 10-7. He then failed on three straight game balls, letting Palmer back into the game, and Palmer doesn't miss on such opportunities.

Joe Kneipp had left it too little too late, and so instead of going into the quarters, he went on vacation in Boston.

WHITE DEMONSTRATES THE ART OF PERFECT PRESSURE

John White precision racket skills were on tonight. Photo ©2005 Debra Tessier

Dan Jenson is a fine squash player. Once he was number six in the world and rising but injuries took him out of the game of three years and his climb back has been painful and slow. The last thing he needed was a John White in top form. I sat with my nose three feet from the front wall to watch this match and I believe it was only position from which to see just how precise White can be. But it is not just his precision; it is that he can hit these pin point shots at a rocket-like pace. Jenson for the most part was chasing sunbeams and finding them in the corners of the court.

As I said at the beginning Jenson is a fine squash player but today he played a supporting role to the flashing racket and wonderful skill of John White. One indication of the pressure that White brought to bear was the number of times Jenson was forced to play a back wall boast, normally the shot of last resort. But so fast and furious was this match that Jenson had no alternative if he wanted to keep the rally going.

This was take-no-prisoners type of squash played at a speed that other players achieve in small patches. If you like your squash with 70 shot rallies, then this was not the place for you. But if you like holding your breath in disbelief and excitemen this 43 minute match would have given you a great fix.

White won the first two games in 21 minutes but found that he had a fight on his hands in the third as they had a wonderful battle. I expected sparks off the wall each time the ball hit it. Jenson should have had the game leading 10-9, 11-10 and 12-ll but each time White save the point to finally win 14-12. Wonderful stuff but leaves you with your head swimming.

ANJEMA GIVES WARNING

Qualifier Laurens Jan Anjema came charging out. Photo ©2005 Debra Tessier

Qualifier Laurens Jan Anjema showed the squash world that he can mix it with the top boys and give a good account of himself. He took charge in his match against world number three Anthony Rickets and from the word go you might have been forgiven if you mistook Anjema for the world number three. A left-hander, he can hit all the shots required on both sides of the court and is not afraid to use the front corners. He ran to a shock 7-1 lead and Ricketts famous temper began to burble ever to slightly. When a decision went against his opinion he told the referee “You are wrong,” but then went to far with the rider “But that doesn’t surprise me” .Referee Barry Faguy grabbed the mike and immediately issued a conduct warning for dissent.

Anjema kept to his game plan , hit three more winners and won the game 11-6 after 19 minutes of world class squash.

Anjema took the lead in the second game, but Ricketts settled down to take over and with the help of four strokes, the result of Anjema’s loose shots, went on to win the game 11-5.

Anjema’s error count rose in the third game rose to put him 3-9 down but he staged a mini comeback and now it was Ricketts who was hitting balls down the middle to give away penalty strokes. Anjema pulled back to 7-9 but he was stopped dead by a Ricketts forehand kill to put the Australian at game point. He played a tight rail shot which Anjema could not scrape off the wall and Ricketts had the game 11-7 for a 2/ lead.

Anthony Ricketts famous temper began to burble ever to slightly. Photo ©2005 Debra Tessier

The fourth game was just ten minutes long – the shortest of the match – with Ricketts staying strong while Anjema’s initial thrust and confidence waned. The end was predictable with Ricketts still striking with venom and doing what world number threes have to do to stay up there….keep on keeping on.

So it was 3/1 to Ricketts but Anjema must be pleased with his effort. He’ll probably learn from it too….that he has to be prepared to play the fifth game at exactly the same intensity and accuracy as he did the first.

RYDING FINISHES IN A FLURRY
Graham Ryding started slow against Renan Lavigne, in the last match of the evening. The crowd had repaired to the lobby after the highlight of the evening, the Anjema Ricketts clash, and it was a quiet and subdued group who witnessed Ryding coming alive in the second game, and finish it off three games to two.

FIRST ROUND (DAY 2):
David Palmer (AUS) def Joseph Kneipp (AUS) 3-0
John White (CAN) def Dan Jenson (AUS) 11-5 11-5 11-10(4-2)
Anthony Ricketts (AUS) def Laurens Jan Anjem (NL) 6-11 11-5 11-7 11-6
Graham Ryding (CAN) def Renan Lavigne (FR) 8-11 11-6 11-8 10-11(1-3) 11-8

It was all Wilson gear on court as Graham Ryding won a 5 match battle against Renan Lavigne. Photo ©2005 Debra Tessier

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