Edinburgh SC Open

29 Jan - 02 Feb 2020 #esco

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Donna completes five-game run to the title as Gawad claims a first

Donna Lobban had already survived two five game thrillers to reach the final, while second seed Julianne Courtice had enjoyed an easier passage to the final. 

Despite a good start to the first from Donna, Julianne pegged it back to take the lead 11-6.  Donna fought back to take the next two 11-9 but when Julianne claimed the fourth 11-7 Donna was looking at a third successive decider.

Donna eased ahead, 8-5, Julianne closed to 6-8 but Donna pulled away again and unlike her previous matches it only took one match ball for the Aussie-cum-Scot to claim her first ESC Open title 11-8 in 56 minutes.

"It's been a tough week," admitted the  new champion, "I've had some tough battles and I was really hanging on there at times. I wish I had Jules' racket skills, but I managed to get through in the end.

"Scotland is like my second home so it was great to have such fantastic support from people here.

“When I think that this time last year I was learning to walk again, I'm really delighted to have come back and to win this title feels really special."

The men's final saw Greb Lobban aiming to continue his run of upset results to reclaim the title he won in 2018, but Egyptian Karim Abdel Gawad, who came through to the final with two five game victories, was in no mood for another thriller.

Karim quickly got into his stride, taking the first two games 11-8 with Greg pulling a few points back towards the end of each. There was no recovery in the third as Karim pulled away again, claiming the match and the title 11-4 in 30 minutes.

"People say they'd love to get on court with the top guys," joked Greg afterwards, "I don't know why, it's horrible!  I've had a good week, but all credit to Karim, he controlled the match from start to finish and everything he tried came off."

Gawad was delighted with the win: "It's my first time in Scotland and I've really enjoyed it. The club, the crowd, the court are all great, and the prize money  helps too! It would be great to see a big PSA event come to Scotland, but hopefully I'll be back to defend my  title next year anyway."

Edinburgh Sports Club Open 2020 : FINALS

[5] Donna Lobban (Aus) 3-2 [2] Julianne Courtice (Eng)  6-11, 11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 11-8 (56m) [2] Karim Abdel Gawad (Egy) 3-0 [5/8] Greg Lobban (Sco)  11-8, 11-8, 11-4 (30m)

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The FINALS, REPLAY

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Day FIVE : FINALS Day

FINALS :  Another five-setter for Donna and a first #esco title for Gawad

[5] Donna Lobban (Aus) 3-2 [2] Julianne Courtice (Eng)  6-11, 11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 11-8 (56m) [2] Karim Abdel Gawad (Egy) 3-0 [5/8] Greg Lobban (Sco)  11-8,11-8, 11-4 (30m)  

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Report to follow ....

Graded Finals

A    Chris Leiper 3-0 Chris Ferguson      11-3, 11-7, 11-6 B    Cai Younger 3-0 Ruan Metz            18-16, 11-7,11-7  C   Simon Broatch 3-0 Karl Becker        11-7, 11-9, 13-11 D   Michael Buckholz 3-1 Tom Naylor   11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9 E   Grant Addison 3-0 Andrew Black     11-3,11-4,11-3 F   Mark Lockhart 3-0 Robbie Todd        11-5, 11-6, 11-2

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Day FOUR : Semi-Finals

Semi-finals at Edinburgh Sports Club where there  have been Graded matches on all day, leading up to a fantastic evening of squash.

SEMI-FINALS

[5] Donna Lobban (Aus) 3-2 [4] Alexandra Fuller (Rsa)  8-11, 6-11, 11-5, 12-10,12-10 (57m)

[2] Julianne Courtice (Eng) 3-1 [6] Rachael Chadwick (Eng)  9-11, 11-9, 11-4,11-2 (38m) [2] Karim Abdel Gawad (Egy) 3-2 [3/4] Joel Makin (Wal)  11-6, 8-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6 (76m)

[5/8] Greg Lobban (Sco) 3-2 [3/4] Daryl Selby (Eng)   11-6, 11-5, 11-13, 11-13, 11-9 (96m)

FULL DRAWS | TWITTER FEED | PHOTO GALLERY | STREAM & REPLAYS

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Men’s Semis

Gawad toughs it out again as Greg finally quells Daryl

[2] Karim Abdel Gawad (Egy) 3-2 [3/4] Joel Makin (Wal) 11-6, 8-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6 (76m) [5/8] Greg Lobban (Sco) 3-2 [3/4] Daryl Selby (Eng)   11-6, 11-5, 11-13, 11-13, 11-9 (96m)

The first men's semi-final went the distance as second seed Karim Abdel Gawad locked horns with 3/4 seed Joel Makin. The Egyptian was in charge in the first, taking the lead 11-6, but Makin struck back to take the second and third, both 11-8.

If Gawad was going to reach the final he'd need to win a second consecutive five-setter, and that's just what he did, delighting the crowd with his silky skills as  he took the last two games, both 11-6.

"Tough, and tough again! I flew to London, played a PSL match in Birmingham, flew to Scotland for a five setter yesterday, I didn't expect that I'd be able to last long against Joel today, but I was happy with my squash and my performance.

"The crowd here are beautiful, and the great thing  about this court is that you feel like you're  playing in the middle of the crowd. Looking forward to playing the final on it tomorrow."

Having despatched Paul Coll yesterday, Greg Lobban looked like he was going to do it again as he powered into a two game lead over 3/4 seed Daryl Selby 11-6, 11-5, and with the Englishman looking the more fatigued of the two as the third game started, another three-nil seemed to be on the cards.

But Daryl isn't a five-time ESC Open champion for nothing, and he dug in as only he can, making every rally tough and at times earning a breather as he questioned referee John Massarella's decisions - not an opinion, after one exchange he admitted "I need a rest!"

Neither player could score a run of  points now, and the next three games were an exhibition of court craft and sheer determination. Daryl saved one match ball in the third and two more in the fourth, taking them both 13-11.

There was no letup in the fifth, as Daryl eked out a 7-3 lead only for Greg to fight back to 8-all, then 9-all. The last two points went Greg's way and he lifted him arms into the air as reached the final for the second time in three years.

"That was very tough out there. So happy to win in 5, Daryl is such a battle hardened competitor and even at 2-0 up I knew I couldn’t relax.

"He played the right game and fought his way back into the match very well. I tried to stay as calm as possible when I was 7-3 down in the 5th and trusted my ability to work my way back into the decider and thankfully managed to win the last point.

"Donna has been doing her best to emotionally drain me by battling through to win in five games herself the last few days but she definitely gave me the inspiration I needed to keep pushing tonight."

There followed a presentation to long-time tournament supporter and five-time champion Daryl,in which he was awarded life membership of the club.

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Women’s Semis

Donna does it again as Jules returns to the final

[5] Donna Lobban (Aus) 3-2 [4] Alexandra Fuller (Rsa)  8-11, 6-11, 11-5, 12-10,12-10 (57m) [2] Julianne Courtice (Eng) 3-1 [6] Rachael Chadwick (Eng)  9-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-2 (38m)

Yesterday Donna Lobban was two-nil up and held off a comeback from top seed Emily Whitlock to win in five games. Today she was  two-nil down to fourth seeded South African Alexandra Fuller and came back to win in five!

Fuller controlled the first two games 11-8, 11-6, her pacy hitting and smooth movement keeping Lobban off balance and unable to impose herself  on the match.

The Aussie started the third strongly and started to find her range, reducing the deficit 11-5 and leading the early stages of the fourth. Fuller levelled at 8-all but Lobban moved ahead again, levelling the match 12-10 on her third game ball and urging the crowd on as she left the court - not that they needed any  such encouragement.

The fifth was nervous, neither player managed to get ahead as the lead changed hands. It was Fuller who edged ahead from 9-all toearn a match ball, but three points in a row for an emotional Lobban and she was through to the final 12-10 in 57 minutes..

"Dramatic or what - you'd think I love  the drama, but I'd much rather win easily!

"She was playing amazing in the first two games, but maybe I was playing her game too much. I think I did a good job of playing my game after that, it was effective but I had to work hard to stick to it. It was a great match, tough one to win.

"Greg joked last night that me putting him through the wringer before his match obviously worked and that I'd have to do it again. I don't think he saw it coming, but he got his wish!"

Second seed Julianne Courtice reached her  second ESC Open final in three years as she overcame long time adversary Rachael Chadwick in four games. Chadwick was ahead throughout the first, taking the lead 11-9 and was 9-7 up in the second before a run of four points put Courtice level.

It was plain sailing after that as Courtice took the third 11-4 and eased through the fourth against a dispirited opponent 11-2, reaching the final in 38 minutes.

"That second was much needed, if I'd lost that it would have been a real battle," said Julianne. "But to get to level pegging gave me the confidence to push ahead in the third.

"I've only played Donna once on PSA, lost 3-2, but she's had some real battles here so far, I hope I can give her another one tomorrow and get the crowd going again, and maybe on my side!"

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Semi-Finals LIVE

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Tinned Potatoes

Playing in the tournament for a 15th consecutive year, Jamie 'Farmer' Jacobson decided to put some of his produce on the court for his A Grade quarter-final against Chris Ferguson on a winner-take-all basis.

The produce in question was a 25kg bag of Jamie’s own finest Scottish Potatoes.

Young Ferguson proved to be too fit and fast for the Farmer, winning in straight games and duly collected his prize!

Oh, and and in case you're wondering/groaning,  it was Chris's dad Dave who came up with the headline.

More photos in the Gallery

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A taste of the Graded

all and more in the Gallery 

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Day Four Favourites  

all and more in the Gallery

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Day Three roundup

Scots exit women’s draw as Lobban and Chadwick stun seeds - Lobban takes out Coll in massive men’s upset

Day Three started with men’s round two as the eight seeded players started their campaign against last night’s winners. As with with women’s draw, all eight won through to setup evening quarter-finals as predicted by the seedings.

The women’s quarter-finals started with top seed and former champion Emily Whitlock taking on fifth seeded Australian Donna Lobban - almost a local with husband Greg watching and the crowd definitely in her favour.

Had the seeding been done on highest world ranking, they would have been #1 and#2, and that closeness was borne out as Donna claimed two close first games, finishing both the stronger for 11-8,11-8 and almost pulling back Emily’s early lead in the third which the top seed took 11-9.

The fourth was a humdinger as Donna edged ahead to 10-8, but after saving those match balls, and four more in extended extra points, Emily edged home 18-16 to set up a decider.

Donna moved ahead gain in the fifth, and only needed two more match balls as she delightedly closed out the match 11-8 in 67 minutes.

Both Scots exited the draw as Alexandra Fuller overcame Alison Thomson in straight games 11-6, 11-5,11-8 in 28 minutes. Then, in an uncanny repeat of the top match, Rachael Chadwick went two up against third seed Lisa Aitken, who battled back to take the third and save two match balls in the fourth before finally falling 13-11, 12-10, 6-11, 11-13, 11-8 in just over the hour.

"I’ve never got close to Lisa,” said Rachael.  “She’s battered me every time before so I went in without any pressure. I had to pick the time to play on her forehand, she’s lethal there. I was pleased to sneak the first two, felt I should have won the fourth, and she was really up for the fifth, I was glad to win that one. This seems like a lucky tournament for me, I’ve had some good results here.”

In the final women’s quarter second seed Julianne Courtice let 10-6 leads slip in both the first two games against Satomi Watanabe, but took them both 12-10 before the former champion closed out the third 11-8in 31 minutes.

The men’s quarters started with a sensational upset - home favourite and 2018 Champion Greg Lobban, this time a 5/8 seed, ousting second seed and defending champion Paul Coll in straight games!   Greg maintained leads through the first two games then recovered from 2-6 down to closeout the match 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 in 45 minutes.

Five time champion Daryl Selby wasted no time in despatching Welshman Peter Creed 11-8, 11-6, 11-7 in 23 minutes to set up a semi-final against Lobban, a repeat of the 2018 final.

Wales’ Joel Makin added to the home nations’ interest in the semi-finals as he overcame determined resistance from Alan Clyne, taking the match 11-3, 5-11, 11-7, 11-5 in 49 minutes.

Last up it was top seed Karim Abdel Gawad against Declan James in a rematch of their thrilling encounter in the World Teamsin Washington. James took the first and had gameball for a two-love lead, but Gawad levelled in extra points. Long story short - it’s late, after all - Gawad prevailed in five,like he does, controlling the decider to win 9-11, 13-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-4 in 80 minutes.

The Graded events continue tomorrow (yours truly is on at 9am) with the semi-finals starting at 17.00.

Women's Quarter-Finals [5] Donna Lobban (Aus) 3-2 [1] Emily Whitlock (Eng)  11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 16-18, 11-8(67m) [4] Alexandra Fuller (Rsa) 3-0 [8] Alison Thomson (Sco)   11-6, 11-5,11-8 (28m) [6] Rachael Chadwick (Eng) 3-2 [3] Lisa Aitken (Sco)  13-11, 12-10, 6-11, 11-13,11-8 (62m) [2] Julianne Courtice (Eng) 3-0 [7] Satomi Watanabe (Jpn)    12-10, 12-10, 11-8 (31m)

Men’s Quarter-Finals [5/8] Greg Lobban (Sco) 3-0 [2] Paul Coll (Nzl) 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 (45m) [3/4] Daryl Selby (Eng) 3-0 [5/8] Peter Creed (Wal)   11-8, 11-6, 11-7 (23m) [3/4] Joel Makin (Wal) 3-1 [5/8] Alan Clyne (Sco)   11-3, 5-11, 11-7, 11-5 (49m) [1] Karim Abdel Gawad (Egy) 3-2 [5/8] Declan James (Eng)   9-11, 13-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-4 (80m)

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Day THREE

It could be a long day at ESC, with Men’s Round Two tarting at noon, followed by the Women’s and Men’s quarter-finals from 15.30, all eight matches on court five - and the Graded events start this evening too ...

We’ll be streaming Court Five (in three batches), you can follow progress on the Live Draws and  Twitter Feed, and we’ll round it up at the end ...

Women's Quarter-Finals  [5] Donna Lobban (Aus) 3-2 [1] Emily Whitlock (Eng)  11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 16-18, 11-8(67m)  [4] Alexandra Fuller (Rsa) 3-0 [8] Alison Thomson (Sco)   11-6, 11-5,11-8 (28m) [6] Rachael Chadwick (Eng) 3-2 [3] Lisa Aitken (Sco)  13-11, 12-10, 6-11, 11-13,11-8 (62m)  [2] Julianne Courtice (Eng) 3-0 [7] Satomi Watanabe (Jpn)    12-10, 12-10, 11-8 (31m) Men’s Quarter-Finals  [5/8] Greg Lobban (Sco) 3-0 [2] Paul Coll (Nzl) 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 (45m) [3/4] Daryl Selby (Eng) 3-0 [5/8] Peter Creed (Wal)   11-8, 11-6, 11-7 (23m) [3/4] Joel Makin (Wal) 3-1 [5/8] Alan Clyne (Sco)   11-3, 5-11, 11-7, 11-5 (49m) [1] Karim Abdel Gawad (Egy) 3-2 [5/8] Declan James (Eng)   9-11, 13-11, 11-8, 8-11,11-4 (80m) Men’s Round Two  [2] Paul Coll (Nzl) 3-0 Fergus Richards (Sco)11-4, 11-5, 11-6 (30m)  [5/8] Greg Lobban (Sco) 3-0 Sean Conroy (Irl)11-6, 11-6, 11-5 (32m)  [3/4] Daryl Selby (Eng) 3-0 Dougie Kempsell (Sco)    11-5, 12-10,11-7 (35m) [5/8] Peter Creed (Wal) 3-1 Robert Downer (Eng)    11-3, 11-4, 7-11, 12-10 (44m)  [5/8] Alan Clyne (Sco) 3-0 Rory Stewart (Sco)   11-7, 11-4, 11-8 (40m)  [3/4] Joel Makin (Wal) 3-1 Jamie Henderson (Sco)   12-10, 11-4, 11-7 (28m) [1] Karim Abdel Gawad (Egy) 3-1 Abhay Singh (Ind)  11-6, 8-11, 11-6, 11-7 (38m) [5/8] Declan James (Eng) 3-1 Miles Jenkins (Eng)   11-9, 11-8, 6-11, 11-9 (46m)

FULL DRAWS | TWITTER FEED | PHOTO GALLERY | STREAM & REPLAYS

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Quarter-Finals part one

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Men’s Round Two LIVE

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Round TWO winners and quarter-final lineups

Today’s filter : HDR-scape

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Day TWO

Seeds cruise into ESCO quarter-finals

Day Two saw yesterday's winners take on the eight seeded players, and there was barely a hint of an upset as the seeds all won in straight games to set up the anticipated quarter-finals.

Yesterday's home winners all lost, two of them to compatriots as Lisa Aitken and Alison Thomson kept Scottish  interest alive.

Aitken now meets England's Rachael Chadwick while Thomson takes on fourth seeded South African Alexandra Fuller. English top seeds Emily Whitlock and Julianne Courtice face Aussie Donna Lobban and Japan's Satomi Watanabe in the quarter-finals, which start at 15.30 on Friday.

Women’s Round Two [1] Emily Whitlock (Eng) 3-0 Georgia Adderley (Sco)     11-7, 11-3, 11-4 (24m) [5] Donna Lobban (Aus) 3-0 Yura Choe (Kor)     11-4, 11-5, 11-6 (19m) [8] Alison Thomson (Sco) 3-0 Katriona Allen (Sco)     11-2, 11-5, 11-7 (26m) [4] Alexandra Fuller (Rsa) 3-0 Cristina Gomez (Esp)     11-6, 11-4, 11-5 (24m) [3] Lisa Aitken (Sco) 3-0  Elspeth Young (Sco)     11-5, 11-3, 12-10 (21m) [6] Rachael Chadwick (Eng) 3-0 Sanne Veldkamp (Ned)     11-3, 11-3, 11-5 (15m) [7] Satomi Watanabe (Jpn) 3-0 Farah Momen (Egy)    11-7, 11-3, 12-10 (23m) [2] Julianne Courtice (Eng) 3-0 Kace Bartley (Eng)      11-7, 11-7, 11-6 (22m)

The men’s draw also started today, with sixteen players vying for the right to compete in the star-studded second round ... results in the draws.

FULL DRAWS | TWITTER FEED | PHOTO GALLERY

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Day TWO LIVE