Squash: Print House open knockout tournament a great success
King Klaus rules, Mondon, Quatre and Soleil win this first four winners competition.
Printhouse sponsored the four winner tournament organized last week has been hailed as a great success by both organizers and participants with a record participation.
This tournament had attracted thirty two players whilst some had to be left out so as to maximize each player’s chance to win a trophy based on their current level and each participant was guaranteed at least three games as they battled for four trophies in one tournament for the top prize, being the cup for the Expert, the Plate for the Advanced, the Bowl for the Intermediate category and the Shield being for the less experienced players. This has proved to be quite an exciting and challenging week which culminated in the grand finals last Friday at the Mont Fleuri Squash court where the main sponsors, squash fans and family members had gathered for this second competition sponsored by Printhouse. A partner, Stefan Houareau had designed the format of this 2016 tournament.
Lady player Quatre wins First trophy
Trishia Quatre was one of seven ladies who took part in this competition and after losing to Guillaume Albert in the first round, she went on to the shield trophy where she defeated Barbara Hoareau in the semis and in the final, she swept aside young male player, Yull Gertrude in straight sets 11-7, 11-5 and 11-6 to claim her first ever trophy since taking up this sport fifteen months ago. She told TODAY Sports that it was quite encouraging to win a cup.
“The final went on fine and it was quite challenging but I’m pleased to win and it will encourage me to continue in this sport which is quite demanding physically,” Quatre explained whilst her opponent 14 year old Gertrude said he was also happy to reach the final and said that it was a tough match for him after starting playing last year.
Soleil shines brightly on Bowl trophy
Pency Soleil is a long time player and well known member of the squash family but he just has been irregular in competition. However, this week he made it a point to be present and it paid dividends as he swept aside his opponent, Marc Belle in the Bowl final to register a comfortable victory.
Soleil made a bright start to win the first set 11-5 and was more ruthless in the second claiming it 11-3 and wrapped the match 11-5 to lift the Bowl trophy.
“I felt good and did well though I have not been playing regularly but winning is very encouraging and this trophy will motivate me to play more often,” Soleil told TODAY Sports.
Pency Soleil (left the bowl winner) easily disposed of
Marc Belle in the final.
As for his opponent Marc Belle, he admitted he had met a very experienced opponent but was satisfied with making it to the final.
“It was my first final and my opponent was very experienced and had good technique and it was a very challenging first set where I gave my best. But I’m improving and I really liked the format of this competition which gave the possibility to all levels to aim for something,” claimed Belle.
Mondon marches past Dupont
Favourite Franc Dupont was upset by Paul Mondon in the final of the Plate trophy where an aggressive Mondon shocked him 3-1 with a very strong start as he fought for all the points and left Dupont shell shocked.
The first set was a tight battle but Mondon edged him 11-8 to boost his confidence and he came from behind at 4-1 to level the match at 8-8 and then win 11-9 for a two set advantage.
Dupont raised his game in the third set to win 2-1 with an 11-9 score but could not sustain his challenge as he lost the fourth 11-5 to give Mondon his first individual trophy who was surprised that he had overcome Dupont, a player who always gets the upper hand in their encounters so far.
“It was a tough match as I did not know what to expect as normally he is better than me. So I think I was fortunate today and I felt the format suited my game so I am happy,” Mondon related to TODAY Sports.
Dupont for his part, thought he made too many mistakes and lost his concentration which cost him the match against an opponent he knows very well.
“I was nervous and made a bad start and committed too many mistakes so my opponent made the most of his chance and for me it was nice to participate though I would have liked to have won,” stated Dupont.
King Klaus rules supreme
Klaus Pragassen proved that he is the king of the squash court as he again showed his class when it mattered to hold off a strong challenge from his old rival Ridvan Prosper to triumph in the Expert level in straight sets in the main event of the afternoon.
The first set involved long rallies and when Prosper began to complain to the officials, Pragassen kept his composure to win 11-8.
Prosper was fired up in the second set as he fought back from 2-8 down, to level at 8-8 and even took the lead at 9-8 with some beautiful shots which had the crowd cheering but unfortunately he lost his cool with certain decisions which caused him to lose 11-9.
Pragassen then changed his tactics as he went for drop shots to wear down Prosper and he was always in control to win 11-7 for his second title this season and maintain his domination locally since his return two years ago.
“I varied my strategy in each set to tire my opponent and it was a good tournament where everyone enjoyed this new format and it was quite interesting and hope we have more such tournaments,” Pragassen stated.
As for Prosper, he was not too disappointed in his first competition of 2016 though he also thought he could have done better.
“The final was ok but I felt I could have done better but I made too many mistakes though I think I did better than last time,” Prosper claimed.
The prizes were presented by the main sponsors Mrs Pascale D’Offay, the Managing Director of Printhouse and Stefan Hoaureau, VCS Business Development Manager.
Mrs D’Offay told the audience that her company was very happy to sponsor this competition as it proved very exciting and entertaining as everyone enjoyed themselves.
“I’m very proud on behalf of Printhouse to be here as we sponsor this competition for the second year running along with Xerox and you are all winners and it was a very exciting and tension filled week,” Mrs D’Offay told the participants.
As for the SQA Chairperson, Miss Natalie Houareau, she thanked Printhouse for their support and sponsorship in this tournament which she described as interesting and very exciting before the winners received their prizes.
Printhouse and Xerox sponsors pose with the tournament winners.
Source: Today.sc 3-21-16