Little Visit of the Club, a video by Jérôme Boyadjian
17-Feb-2012
MORNING ALL....
Ok,
I'm perfect continuity, as I still don't have much clue about what's
going on out there, as I'm cooked in the office since I arrived.
As you are aware, the tournament is spread over 3 clubs, here, the
Wam - I quickly introduced it to you
yesterday, then the Tub, only minutes away, and
l'Arbonnoise, about 15m from the Wam.
But contrarily to the British Open, not one age group is dedicated to
one club. Everybody gets to play in the Wam, so, it makes more sense
that I actually try and stick here, to try and have a little idea of
what's going on...
Basically, at Wam, we have U19 boys and girls, U17 girls.
The Boys U15 & U17, at the Arbonnoise. And that cute
little club, Tub, will welcome the U13 and U15 girls.
Always
great to see Squashsite supporting the junior events, as these
events will be producing the new generation.
I am here with Lee Drew coaching the England junior boys and
girls who are in contention for selection for the BU19 World
Individual and Team as well as the girls who's Team event is in
2013. Where possible we will of course be helping out any other ESR
players who do not have a coach with them, a very tall order with
around 60 players from England competing this year, but we do have
the luxury of some excellent coaches supporting a lot of the
juniors.
As ever, super food here at the French, you guys know how to cook
:-)
Looking forward to your reports and of course the photos which are
always sensational as well as the menu for tomorrow!
First day over for us, long day and no doubt even longer tomorrow
when all the age groups begin.
Bed time, Bon nuit!
U19 GIRLS
(Photos Patrick Le Fur)
If Melissa Alves,
top seed, had no trouble against USA Camille LANIER, it was a
different story for Nele Gilis, seed 2, who had to fight very
hard to take the first game, 16/14. She lost the 3rd, 11/3, to finally
take the fourth very comfortably.
To be noted that Oxane Ah-Hu, still injured, could not defend her
chances against compatriot Enora Villard.
U19 BOYS
(Photos Patrick Le Fur)
Bad day for the
French really, as our two representants are out. Damien Volland
seeded to the semis, was stopped by Richie Fallows in three games.
And same for Alexandre Cogno, 5/8, against another English boy,
Lyell Fuller. All the others matches went according to seeding.
A little note: Qatari Abdulla Al-Tamini fought very bravely - up
to severe cramping in the second round against Richie Fallows - pushing
him to 11/7 in the 5th, that same Richie that went on to beating Damien
in 3 in the next round...
U17 BOYS
(Photos Patrick Le Fur)
U17 GIRLS
(Photos Patrick Le Fur)
No suprises but some really
nice matches in that categories, the girls were fighting hard and were
determined to stay on court as long as it took. For example, French
Océane Wadoux gave [3/4] Anna Kimberley a good run for her
money. The English girl took the second 16/14, and the 5th 12/10 !
The whole French match between Charlotte Demange, from La Ciotat
and Marion Andriamifidy from la Réunion Island, turned
logically to the advantage of the latter, 3/1, but in a good spirited
match that I did enjoy a lot.
U15 BOYS
(Photos Patrick Le Fur)
No trouble for the
top guys, both French Enzo Corigliano and Jules Cremoux
are in the quarters, Enzo losing only a few points against compatriot
Victor Neguede. Jules had to work a bit harder, he takes a disputed
encounter 13/11 in the 3rd against English Jack Martell.
As for the upsets, Bradley Masters ousted 5/8 Harry Falconer,
an all English affair, while another English, Laurence Green
probably had the match of his life, beating Irish Nikita Gilveski,
5/8, 3 games to 2.
U15 GIRLS
RAS, as in nothing to declare, as it all went to seeding, and only one
game lost 11/6 by English Kace Bartley against Fin Nea
Falck.
U13 BOYS
Morning [17/32] Manuel PAQUEMAR 3-2 Richard Hill (Eng)
9-11 11-7 11-3 10-12 12-10 Afternoon [9/16] Daniel KAMEL (Wal) 3-0 [17/32] Manuel PAQUEMAR
11-8 11-4 12-10 (24mn)
As ever, impressed by the level of those
kids, I watched a few of them, whether it's the main draw or the plates,
their life depends on it, emotions are running high, and it makes it
extremely enjoyable.
Not
that I'm French or anything, but I did notice a young boy from Lorient,
Manuel Paquemar, whose sister, Laura, is playing for the
U15.
Manuel is a natural, lovely hands and moving extremely, good eye
coordination as well, and extremely determined. He won his morning match
12/10 in the 5th, against Richard Hill from England, only to lose
12/10 in the third against Welsh Daniel Kamel seeded 9/16.
What was remarkable, was that there was a few English boys watching the
match, and they were, like me, quite impressed with that 10 years old
boy...
Their dad, Jean-Luc, has been playing squash for 20 years now, and
obviously transmitted his passion to his children. And as the mum added,
"it's a lot of work". You bet!!!
They are playing again tonight, bless
them, but as for round 2, there was three mini upsets, as in Hasnaat
Farooqi fought very hard to get rid of 5/8 Frenchie Edwin Clain,
11/8 in the 5th.
A good surprise for the French clan though, with the victory of
Toufik Mekhalfi that gets the better of William
Miles-Christiansen in four disputed games.
Funnily enough, Toufik will now meet with the last upset of that second
round, Mohamed Hassan that overcomes 5/8 Alexander Engstrom
from England.
