Rösner makes history in New York

Main story: Another title for El Sherbini in ToC, but it's a first major for Rösner

The Tournament of Champions is a favourite among the players and as usual delivered plenty of drama in Grand Central Station this week. While Nour El Sherbini consolidated her world number 1 position, Simon Rösner put the Egyptian dominance on hold and got the reward for his resilience throughout his whole career.

While Nour El Sherbini is used to lift the winner's trophy in World Series events, it was a first for 30-year old Simon Rösner (Photo credit: PSA World Tour)

Simon Rösner's victory last night in New York was major news at several levels: not only he made history, becoming the first ever German squash player to win a PSA World Series event, but he was also the first non Egyptian to feature in a final of a major tournament this season (men's and women's included). Those of you who follow squash closely know that in the men's, the sport has been dominated by four nations in recent years: Egypt of course, but also England, France and Australia. Rösner's triumph in NYC shakes this established order, and he's in fact the first player from another country to win a major event since Canada's Jonathon Power in ... 2005! But let's forget about facts and figures and focus on what happened on court. To reach the final, the German player had to overcome four very tough opponents, including two from the world top 5: Daryl Selby, Marwan Elshorbagy, Nicolas Müller and Grégory Gaultier, whom he beat in a best of 5 game match for the first time in almost thirty encounters ... He was then facing Tarek Momen, who had to dig very deep in the semis to get past Ali Farag after being 8-4 down in the fifth game. The 30-year-old from Paderborn capitalized on his accuracy to take a two-game advantage, before Momen clawed one back. But he showed the determination that took him to this stage, and dominated the fourth, thanks to the effecting line and length hitting that served him so well throughout the week. “It’s a unbelievable feeling,” said Rösner, who will move up to World No.6 in a few days, equalling his highest world ranking. (Source: PSA World Tour). "That was the biggest match of my career and to win it is incredible. I didn’t expect to win the championship, but this is what you work for every day. To play on this kind of stage is the reason you wake up, train hard, stay disciplined and go through all of that. And for that to pay off, in New York, in Grand Central Terminal, with the Tournament of Champions title – it’s unbelievable. I have been playing the tournament for something like thirteen years. I started off in qualification, losing those matches. So to stand here today with the trophy is unreal. This is an event that I love coming to every year – it’s such a special place to play squash. I’ve been getting a lot of support from back home and that also means a lot. Without that kind of support there would be no way that I’d be in this position right now.”

The women's tournament was more business as usual: a few days after winning the Saudi PSA Masters, World No.1 Nour El Sherbini added another major title to her list of accolades, coming back twice from a game deficit in the final against fellow Egyptian Nour El Tayeb. It also sees her collect her fifth title – from seven events played – during the 2017/18 season so far. “It's an unbelievable feeling right now, I cannot describe it,” said the 22-year old. “I'm extremely happy – I couldn't have asked for a better start to 2018. I worked really hard in the summer and have been trying to enjoy playing when I'm out there and that hard work is paying off right now. Hopefully I can keep this momentum going for the rest of the season.” “Nour and I have played together since we were 12 years old and we are very good friends,” added El Sherbini. “It's very hard to play against her, especially because she's been playing so well this season. I'm just really really happy to win this event again. This venue, and this crowd, is unbelievable and the support from day one is great so I hope the fans enjoyed the match.”

There could be only one winner but Nick Matthew (in red) said farewell to the ToC in style (Photo credit: PSA World Tour)

The ToC lived up to his reputation and delivered plenty of upsets and drama throughout the week. It peaked in the men's second round: Rösner's training partner Nicolas Mueller ousted defending champion Karim Abdel Gawad after 5 thrilling games, while Ryan Cuskelly clinched the best win of his career over Mohamed El Shorbagy, ending an 21-match winning streak for the Egyptian. In the next round, veterans of the game Gregory Gaultier and Nick Matthew put on fantastic display that was quoted as one of the best matches ever in the tournament's history. The French General needed 4 games and 90 minutes to beat his old rival, who was making his last ever appearance in Grand Central Station. In the women's draw, one of the highlights of the week was the return of home crowd's favourite Amanda Sobhy after a serious Achilles injury ten months ago. She was able to overcome Rachael Grinham - who turned 41 years old a few days ago - in the first round but fell short against El Tayeb the day after.

Other news

--- Rarely in squash's recent history, its actors and followers had been talking as much about a tournament regarding what was happening off court rather than on court. The Saudi PSA Masters, which was held at the beginning of January in Riyadh, was the first women's international sporting competition ever to be organized in Saudi Arabia, a country known for the limits it enforces on women's rights, including in the simplest things of everyday life. The initiator of this project - PSA President Ziad Al-Turki, who holds the same position in the Squash Saudi Federation - sees the event as a major progress, as well as a strong message in favour of squash in his Olympic campaign. In the opposite camp, the critics - among them English player Emily Whitlock, who refused to participate - have been pointing out that men were not authorized in the tournament premises, that it was not broadcasted on TV and that very few pictures were taken and published. If you wish to make an informed opinon, we recommend you read a very interesting column titled "Saudi Masters: A tournament unlike any other" from Framboise Gommendy (SiteSquash), who has been travelling the world to cover the Tour for many years, and was the sole journalist in Saudi Arabia. While understanding the critics regarding the lack of exposure, she mostly underlines the huge change she felt compared to her previous visits in the country, among other things in terms of dress code. She also comments on Al-Turki's role, as well as Princesse Reema's, who holds a position equivalent to this of a Sports Minister within the kingdom. Besides, all the players have expressed their pride to be part of this history-making event. “Going to Saudi and competing at the event was, for me, about resisting succumbing to misconceptions and giving myself over to hope and fighting for change,” said USA's number 1 Olivia Blatchford. (Source: Blatchford hails ‘Monumental' Saudi experience). “In the build up to the tournament there was a lot of speculation regarding women’s rights and whether or not we were doing the right thing by being there. But this tournament was unlike anything that has been done, and I don’t see how anyone could call it anything but a step in the right direction.” Amongst the top female players in the world taking part in the event – which saw Egypt’s World No.1 Nour El Sherbini crowned the winner, beating Raneem El Welily in the final – was tournament wildcard Nada Abo Alnaja, who became the first Saudi woman ever to compete on the PSA World Tour when she faced France’s World No.3 Camille Serme in round one. Abo Alnaja taught herself how to play squash initially, before enlisting the help of coach Fabien Polly while spending time in Grenoble, France. Blatchford described how inspirational it was for everyone to listen to her incredible story. “It was amazing to listen to her speak of change in Saudi, her own views and opinions and of course her love of squash. She talked of her dreams of one day opening a squash academy and even her nervousness towards her pending encounter with Camille. She spoke of frustrations and limitations, strengths and growth. “For us to be in Saudi meant the world to her, it gave her hope and joy and it really was then that I knew being here was important. In her post-match interview Nada urged spectating women to chase after their dreams, that they didn’t know where they might find themselves if they did. Her words got heard. To me, Nada was why we were there. Making history, or her-story. We are there to inspire new squash players, to give hope, to show people that you can pursue what you love – and that is power.”

The players - here surrounding Nada Abo Alnaja, with the green flag, in one of the rare pictures taken inside the tournament premises - all expressed their pride to be part of this history-making event (Photo credit: SquashSite)

--- After collecting six of the eight trophies in 2017, squash powerhouse saw their domination challenged in this year's British Junior Open earlier this month at the University of Birmingham’s 500-seater arena on Sunday – which will stage squash at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Egypt still clinched four gold titles - including a double in the new U11 category - as well as four silver medals, but England and especially Malaysia were also in the spotlight: Aira and Aifa Azman became the first sister act to claim BJO titles in the same year. Aira claimed a five-game victory in the G15, after Egypt’s Sana Ibrahim was disqualified for being in sick on court in the fifth. And there was more joy for the Azman family as Aira’s older sister Aifa claimed her third BJO crown after winning the G17 final, beating USA’s Marina Stefanoni. Besides the Azman sisters, Malaysia won four of the five girls' events, including Sivasangari Subramaniam in the G19. In the absence of Egypt's Hania El Hammamy, Zeina Mickawy and World Champion Rowa Reda El Araby, she justified her top seed status with an entertaining win over Japan’s Satomi Watanabe to bring the curtain down on her junior career. Finals day was also great for England, as Jonah Bryant and Sam Todd claimed BJO titles in the B13 and B15 finals respectively – the first time the country has achieved the feat since Iain Higgins won the B19 and Tania Bailey claimed the G16 in 1995. “I’ve dreamed about this ever since I got to the semi-finals last year and lost,” said second-seeded Bryant. “I’ve trained for 12 months for this tournament so I’m really happy.” It means England have now celebrated two B13 champions in the last three years, with Bryant’s older compatriot Todd having achieved the feat in 2016. And it was Todd himself who consolidated on his own BJO success by securing a 4-game victory over India’s Neel Joshi. Yorkshireman Todd becomes only the second Englishman this century to win two British junior titles following his under-13 success in 2016 and follows James Willstrop into the record books after his Pontefract team-mate lifted the under-17 and under-19 titles in 2000 and 2002 respectively. “I am just so happy. I am now half way to winning all the age groups and I just want to carry on like James did,” said Todd.

Egypt, Malaysia and England shared the gold medals in the British Junior Open (Photo credit: #BJOsquash)

National Coach David Campion reflected on England’s best British Junior Open performance in more than 20 years. “It was our most successful event in terms of results since our current crop of world-class senior players (the 'Golden Generation') were competing as juniors. We have to date back to 1995 since we had two winners on the same day. Historically, English players have developed late and only started to become more competitive in the older age groups. Jonah Bryant and Sam Todd are world-class material, both very attacking and creative, but equally physical and very resilient. We had 13 quarter finalists throughout the age groups, including two U19 girls, Lucy Turmel and Elise Lazarus reaching the semi-finals. Both Lucy and Elise have been impressing on the PSA Tour against top 40 senior players and when they both go full-time later this year, England Squash have high hopes for them. The event had much credibility with the introduction of SquashTV, and Jonah Bryant and Sam Todd’s victories resulting in a series of TV and Radio features on the BBC and ITV. The venue was superb and the feedback from parents, players and coaches from around the globe has been excellent." In the other boys' events, Egypt’s Mostafa Asal did not drop a single game all week, and left no chance to compatriot and top seed Omar El Torkey in the B17 draw. Marwan Tarek - also from Egypt - added to his B15 and B17 crowns by sealing a 3-0 victory over Victor Crouin in the B19 in a rematch of the World Junior Championship final, to deny France a first BJO winner since 2008. Both players will be heading to the University of Harvard, US, in September. 

Source: England Squash

--- On the 4th of January, the World Squash Federation in partnership with the Professional Squash Association (PSA) announced the appointment of Weber Shandwick, one of the world’s leading global communications and engagement firms, as communications campaign partner to provide strategic counsel and global public relations to support the bid for squash to be included in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Programme. WSF President Jacques Fontaine said: “Becoming a Summer Olympic medal sport has been a long-time dream and goal for the sport of squash. We are engaging in our fourth bid to be included in the Games’ programme, with more passion and a clearer vision than ever before. Given Weber Shandwick’s vast Olympic experience and its innovative, forward-looking approach, the agency is the preferred partner to help us make the case for our sport.” The campaign follows the signing, on September 11th, of a Memorandum of Understanding between the WSF and PSA, and its President Alex Gough commented: “The Olympic ambition is a cornerstone of the unified structure that we created with WSF in order to expand squash’s international profile as a sport and grow it at both professional and grass roots levels. Weber Shandwick’s appointment will greatly support us in achieving our joint goal and communicating our cohesive vision.” Weber Shandwick has over 20 years of experience in supporting campaigns related to the Olympic Games, producing award-winning work for successful Olympic bids and Organising Committees, including most recently Los Angeles 2028, Beijing 2022, Tokyo 2020 and Sochi 2014. Svetlana Picou, Chair, Global Olympic and Sport Affairs, Weber Shandwick, said: “The sport of squash has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, becoming truly innovative, inclusive and urban, while preserving its qualities as a well-established sport. We look forward to helping WSF and PSA demonstrate why squash will be an excellent and complementary addition to the programme, and how it embodies Olympic Agenda 2020.”

Source : World Squash Federation

Jacques Fontaine (WSF) here with Svetlana Picou (Weber Shandwick) and Alex Gough (PSA) (Photo credit: World Squash)

February hotspots

--- Before the next World Series in Chicago at the end of February (see below), there will be a few tournaments involving some top players. After the ToC, the Tour will stay in the US, in Detroit for the men - with five top 15 players including titleholder Ryan Cuskelly - and Cleveland for the women, featuring world champion Raneem El Welily. We'll be briefly back in Europe for the Swedish Open, whose draw is very enticing with world number 1 and 3-time champion Grégory Gaultier, Ali Farag, Tarek Momen, Paul Coll, James Willstrop, Simon Rösner etc. The Professional Squash Association (PSA) have announced that they will trial a pioneering new statistical tracking system during this tournament. Developed in partnership with court-manufacturer ASB and interactiveSQUASH – the company who last year launched an innovative new technology that is helping to transform squash courts into interactive playgrounds – the Motion Tracking System, ‘MoTrack’, will allow for real-time analysis of player and ball behaviour. 

Grégory Gaultier and Raneem Welily were victorious last year in Chicago (Photo credit: US Squash)

--- The 2018 Windy City Open will become the most lucrative PSA World Series tournament ever at the end of the month when $500k of prize money will be split equally across both the men’s and women’s draws, hence $200k increase compared to last year. All the best male and female players in the world will be in Chicago, including 2017 winner Grégory Gaultier, World Champion Mohamed ElShorbagy, and Nick Matthew, who will make his last ever appearance at the tournament. The Yorkshireman made history in 2015 when he took the title to become the oldest ever winner of a PSA World Series tournament. In the women's draw, Raneem El Welily will be going for a fourth consecutive title, but World No.1 Nour El Sherbini - whom she beat in the last 2 finals - will try and end this streak. “Becoming the most lucrative World Series tournament ever is a huge honour and is indicative of the Windy City Open’s status as one of squash’s premier events,” said Tournament Promoter John Flanigan. “We would like to thank our title sponsors – the Walter Family and the EquiTrust Life Insurance Company – for their support and look forward to welcoming the world’s greatest players back to the University Club of Chicago once again.”

Source: PSA World Tour