TOP SEEDS ADVANCE TO BARBADOS SQUASH OPEN FINAL
TOP SEEDS ADVANCE TO BARBADOS SQUASH OPEN FINAL
The top two seeds justified their rankings in last night’s pulsating semi-finals as the second annual PSA BTMI / TDC Barbados Squash Open continued into the penultimate day. As sunny conditions returned to the island the squash action was just as hot on court #1 at the Barbados Squash Club with both of the evening’s semi-final contests keeping the spectators glued to their seats.
In the first semi-final the top seeded Englishman, Eddie Charlton, had to bring all of his match experience to bear to just hold off the #8 seeded American teenager, Spencer Lovejoy. This match had it all: long, probing rallies punctuated with attacking shots from both players as the patient 28-year old Charlton used clever changes of pace and high cross court lobs to keep the speedy 19-year old Lovejoy away from the front of the court. Charlton took the first game easily 11-4, but the young American, who plays at #1 on the Yale University squash team, increased his pace of shot and reduced his error count to keep the second game close. From 8-all Lovejoy was able to surge ahead once more to clinch this game for the loss of 9 points. Charlton went back to basics in the third game and from 4-all was in complete control winning 7 of the next 8 points to clinch that game 11-5. Lovejoy found another gear in the fourth game and kept running down every one of Charlton’s shots and went for winners at every opportunity. The American led 4-0, then 6-2, then 8-4 and then 9-7, but the tall and wily Charlton kept applying pressure by playing the ball tight and deep and extended the rallies to try to force the American into error. The tactic eventually worked for Charlton as he claimed the last four points to win this game 11-9 to take the match 11-4 9-11 11-5 11-9 in 64 minutes. “It was a good match. It’s always nice to win. Spencer is a talented young player” noted Charlton afterwards. “I am pleased to be in the final and it should be a great match.”
The second semi-final saw a much more attacking style of squash played with much shorter rallies as the only remaining Caribbean player and #4 seed, Cameron Stafford of the Cayman Islands, faced the 2nd seeded Colombian Juan Vargas. The 25-year old Stafford is no stranger to the courts here in Barbados and played in this event last year. As usual he delighted the spectators by reeling off an array of attacking shots at every opportunity, including his trademark cross-court volley nicks and deceptive front court kills. He seemed to be in complete control in the first game as Vargas took a bit of time to settle. Stafford led 8-4, 9-5 and held three game balls at 10-7 but failed to convert any of them as Vargas fought back to 10-all deuce and then snatched the first game 13-11. Buoyed by that success the 23-year old Colombian stormed through the second game 11-4 to take a commanding two love advantage. Stafford regrouped in the third game and rushed from 5-all to seize a clear 9-5 advantage. But just like the first game he couldn’t make it count as he lost patience too early in rallies trying to go for spectacular winners that did not come off. Vargas then showed that he too could play shots as he reeled off the final six points without reply to prevail 13-11 11-4 11-9 in 34 minutes, winning his final point when a backhand drop shot from Stafford just clipped the top of the tin. “It was intense, but it was good to win 3-0. Cameron is a skillful player so I always had to be ready for an attack” observed Vargas. “I am super excited to make the Barbados Open final. I lost my last match against Eddie so I’m looking forward to a rematch and I’ll be hoping to take the title home with me.”
The final of the PSA BTMI / TDC Barbados Squash Open between the top seed Eddie Charlton and #2 Juan Vargas will start this evening (Friday) at 6:00 p.m. at the Barbados Squash Club, which is located in Marine Gardens, Christ Church and the presentation of awards will be made immediately thereafter. Admission to the BSC is free and the public is encouraged to attend and witness what will be some spectacular squash action.
The results of the two semi-final matches that were played on Thursday night were as follows:
[1] Eddie Charlton (ENG) bt. [8] Spencer Lovejoy (USA) 11-4 9-11 11-5 11-9 (64 min.)
[2] Juan Vargas (COL) bt. [4] Cameron Stafford (CAY) 13-11 11-4 11-9 (34 min.)
To view the MAIN DRAW and see the daily schedules:
http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/draw.aspx?id=8B8BE43E-AC5B-45F1-B183-C9C55DCE0767&draw=1
To follow the matches LIVE on USTREAM go to:
Court #1
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/barbados-squash-club—court-cam
