Sweet Home Chicago Open Daily Update - September 14, 2008
Contact: Erika Skorupskas or Ryan Kuntz, Healy & Schulte, Inc.
Phone: 312/765-8770
E-mail: eskorupskas@healyandschulte.com
Former world #1's, David Palmer and John White Advance to the Semi-Finals, Along
With Hisham Ashour and Peter Barker
U.S. Player Illingworth Upset By John White
By: Kim Tunney
The rain on Saturday in Chicago broke an all-time, one day rainfall
record of seven inches. Flash flood advisories continued on Sunday, which
forced the quarterfinals indoors at Lakeshore Athletic Club's Illinois
Center location for the Sweet Home Chicago Open. Spirits were not
dampened, however, because the pros put on a spectacular display of talent
including one seeding upset.
Number two seed Peter Barker played measured, moderately paced squash,
moving effortlessly around the court beating Canada's Shahier Razik in 39
minutes. Barker forced Razik side to side; up and down the court with
ease, playing what some might call "classic" squash. London-based Barker
was very pleased with his performance, " I played a traditional English
game; strong and determined, " Barker quipped after the win. " I thought
Peter played very solid tonight," Razik stated. "There were no openings.
" Razik was slow to start each game. Like many North American-based
pros, Razik is using this event and the next in Baltimore as a warm up to
the World Open Squash Championships in Manchester .
Shahier Razik (left) plays Peter Barker (right)
If the Barker vs. Razik match up was classic, what followed were four games of rock'em, sock'em squash between David Palmer and Daryl Selby, with the first and third ending in a tie-breaker. The three ref system, in place during the quarter-finals, was well used.
David Palmer
Dead nicks and cross court volley nicks were just some of the shots in
both player's arsenal. In the first, Palmer repeatedly found the tin on
multiple forehand boasts. Then Palmer's error rate dropped in the second,
as he won the next two leaving Selby shorthanded after 91 minutes of play.
Every U.S. fan in the audience hoped that they had come to watch USA's
Julian Illingworth slay giant John White throughout the first 114 minutes
of the best match of the night. Illingworth won the second and fourth
games staying steady throughout. " It was frustrating, fun and scary
playing him, " a philosophical Illingworth admitted as he analyzed the
match.
Illingworth normally plays an attacking style, but said, " I had to play
more defensively since John attacks well, and if I'd won the third, I
would have won the match." Illingworth played the ball straight and at a
moderate pace much of the match, taking White's attacking game away. "At
7-all in the fifth I hit the tin, and at 9-all was another big error."
Illingworth lost after 115 minutes of play.
John White (left) plays Julian Illingworth (right)
White, not willing to pass the baton to the next generation, felt there
were " short balls I didn't read well that caught me off guard. Julian
played well in the fourth. I give him full credit."
In the final match of the evening, sixth seed Hisham Ashour varied the pace successfully against third seed Ollie Touminen to win in four. Helsinki's Touminen, who prefers playing a fast-paced game, was hampered by Ashour's constant directional and pace changes. Ashour upset the seedings and earned a berth in the semis.
Semi-final action is planned outdoors on the glass court Monday evening, pitting fellow Aussies David Palmer against John White on the top half of the draw and Hisham Ashour against Peter Barker on the bottom.
Sunday, September 14 Quarter-Final Results:
Peter Barker beat Shahier Razik 3-0 11/ 4, 11/6, 11/3 (39 min)
David Palmer beat Daryl Selby 3-1 12/14, 11/2, 12/10, 11/8 (91 min)
John White beat Julian Illingworth 3-2 11/8, 7/11, 11/9,
1/11, 11/9 (115 min)
Hisham Ashour beat OllieTuominen 3-1 6/11, 11/2, 11/9, 11/9 (42 min)
On Monday, September 15:
David Palmer plays John White at 7:00 pm
Hisham Ashour plays Peter Barker at 8:00 pm
Tournament Details:
Date: Wednesday, September 10 . Monday, September 15, 2008
Location: Pioneer Court on Michigan Ave. , between the Tribune Towers and the Chicago River
About Sweet Home Chicago Open
The Sweet Home Chicago Open is the nation.s first-ever professional squash tournament to be held outdoors in an all-glass court, located in front of 401 North Michigan Avenue in Pioneer Court , between Tribune Tower and the Chicago River . Presented by Lakeshore Athletic Clubs, the Sweet Home Chicago Open is sponsored by Zeller Realty Group, Caledonian Fund Services, SmithBucklin and The Fairmont Chicago. This open-to-the-public event will feature many of the world.s top-ranked players as the newest stop on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and U.S. Squash Association tournament series.
For more information, or to view a complete list of the players expected to compete, please visit www.sweethomechicagoopen.com. For all media inquiries, please contact Ryan Kuntz at 312-765-8770 (office)/317-850-7264 (mobile) or via e-mail at rkuntz@healyandschulte.com.
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