#castagnet

[qatarsquash]

The rematch turns out short...

Joel Makin (Wal) 3-1 Mathieu Castagnet (Fra) 11-4, 11-8, 7-11, 8-3 retired (60m)

For those of you who didn’t follow the previous time – and only time – those two played was a bit of a controversial match described by those who saw it as “a rugby match”, 4 games  in nearly 90m in the US Open.

But today, none of that. Obviously both had decided to ask the referee as little as possible, and it gave us a great match to watch. It was Makin dominating though, with Mathieu finding himself at the wrong end of very long rallies. And if Mathieu was leading in most of the second, 3/&, 6/2, 7/3, he will kick himself for a long time to have let that one slip away, 7/7, 11/8. But I have to say when I was Joel fighting and retrieving as he did in that game at 8/8, I thought “that one is going to be hard to beat”.

But Mathieu didn’t let go. Both players have got a similar built, a similar style of game, as in they love to attack but relay a lot on an incredible physical strength. And Mathieu used that strength in the 3rd to give it a big push, playing superb powerful squash, mixed with lethal short game, taking that game 11/7 in 13m. But from the middle of the fourth, Mathieu started to test his right calf and we knew what it meant. After asking for a three minute injury break, the Frenchman came back but it was only for a short time as he couldn’t really move, and had to shake his opponent’s hand at 8/3…

Joel That was tough from the start. He was getting into it and getting strong in the middle of the third game. I’m gutted for him because he’s been out for almost two years with injury. He was up at World No.6 and has been battling to try and get back there. For me, it’s not the way you want to reach your first quarter-final. I’ve had a good few weeks recently and had some good results in the past couple of weeks so I’m looking forward to playing again tomorrow and seeing what I can do. I’ve never played Tarek before. He looks to be moving well and is in good form, winning the event in St George’s last week and getting some top wins in, so I’ll try and get my recovery right and see what I can do tomorrow.

[qatarsquash]

Cameron a bit short after tough first

Mathieu Castagnet (Fra) 3-0 Cameron Pilley (Aus) 16-14, 11-2, 11-8 (48m)

The Australian was able to compete and put immense pressure on the French today, when those two gladiators were battling for the win of the opener. 8/8, and it’s Cameron that got the first blood, 10/8. Mathieu equalised and got himself three game ball in a row, sprinkled with a few decisions/reviews, then Cameron had a third one, 14/13, but still couldn’t close and it’s finally Mathieu 16/14 as Cam played the ball on himself bless him, “Oh. My. God” was his comment…

As you may remember, Cameron had surgery a few weeks ago, and is only back, so he is still testing his body. And it was obvious that Pistol Pilley was a bit short after that big 25m opener, both physically but also mentally I felt, match fitness really.

The next two were pretty one sided for a game and a half, but at 8/3, second wind for the Australian and he was able to put again some lovely shots back and front, worrying the French a bit. Mathieu, himself coming back injury, was careful not to give a sniff to his opponent, and managed to close the third in 15m, 11/8 with the help of 6 unforced errors from his opponent, and was pretty relieved at the end not to have to fight any longer…

Mathieu The first game was crucial, especially because I had there or four games balls so I feel pretty lucky to have gotten that one. In the third, I got scared, at 8/3, he started to come back, and I felt that I could really lose that match. So I made sure I was fighting for every shot. Very happy with a 3/0 today. I tried to pick up every shot he hit. He had surgery a few months ago and I know what it’s like with injury issues. I hope he will be back in better shape and come back strong. It has been a nightmare for me injury wise - I had surgery but I love playing squash. I am only 31 so I trust my capacity to come back. I just want to enjoy playing. I’m not thinking about being in the last sixteen or anything, I just want to enjoy playing. I just want to keep going and see what happens.

[cvassquash]

Saurav faster than ever against Mathieu

[7] Saurav Ghosal (Ind) bt Mathieu Castagnet (Fra) 11-5, 11-7, 11-5 (42m)

The Indian number 1, having reached his best ranking of 11, was in scintillating form today. Having worked pretty hard on his fitness and game tactic in the summer, he didn’t give any cheap opportunities to a Frenchman just back from yet another injury and who was lacking physical preparation, although he dug in beautifully two days ago against compatriot Lucas Serme. Mathieu racquet skills were excellent today, and put Saurav under a lot of pressure at times, but Saurav speed gave him a lot of time on the ball and he was in front for 90% of the match, counterdropping and finding superb depth squash perfectly mixed with sharp and accurate front corner shots. Very fair match, very fluid and not for the fainted hearted, brilliant squash and lovely flair squash from both, but with Saurav too good today for the French who is yet to beat the Indian…

Mathieu I’m a bit heavier than I was, first because I’m not as fit as I was and also because I tried to gain some strength in body control that made me a bit heavier from the chest. It gives me more core stability hence better drop shot and volley control but I am not as light as I was. I was extremely fit up the 15th August, but I got injured again, a new injury plus an old one firing up. So I’m attacking the new season with 1 week squash specific and no fitness work. But I’m happy that I just played three events, and I’m not in pain. But in the games, I’m up for it until 5/5 and then that is it really… I hope that I’ll be able to do some training at Christmas…

Saurav  I just tried to stay strong and solid. I took it in short, I enjoyed the court, the game. I tried to implement the game plan we wanted, David Palmer and Malcom Willstrop. I worked with them both in the summer, first David then Malcolm for a month. Those two periods obviously helped, and I’m focusing now on trying to implement what we worked on.

James won his World Juniors title in 2002 in Chennai, and Malcolm was there, that was the first I ever saw of him. I saw James play before I saw Malcolm, and I just liked the way he played, the structure of his game and his accuracy of course.

It’s unbelievable as everyone knows and I felt that, with what I had as a squash player, if I could add elements of that school of thought and that philosophy, the combination would be pretty good. Luckily and happily for me, Malcolm agreed. Not in 2002, I came in 2004 and he was happy to help me and he’s been like a squash father almost. He’s an unbelievable person, I can’t say enough about how important he has been in my career. The majority of who I am as a professional player is because of him, and there’s never anything that I could possibly do to show how grateful I am for all the time he spent telling me what to do on court as well as how to deal with things in life and how to be refreshingly positive and pure from within. For the amount of World No.1s, British Junior, World Junior Champions, top PSA players and for the atmosphere he has created at Pontefract Squash Club, if he isn’t worthy enough to be honoured then I think you’re going to find it very hard to find someone else who is going to reach his standards.

[cvassquash]

An incredible all French Battle, Mathieu only just!

Mathieu Castagnet (Fra) bt Lucas Serme (Fra) 12-10, 5-11, 11-7, 12-14, 11-9 (103m)

 It will be one more of the many battles they both had on the Tour, 5/0 to Mathieu on PSA tour, plus numerous matches on the French tour, still Mathieu getting on top….

First game must have been pretty frustrating for Lucas, as they were locking horns at 10/10 after Lucas saved 3 game balls, only to see a “lucky shot” and a tin allow Mathieu to draw first blood, 12/10 in 19m. Somehow, Lucas completely dominated the second, 12m for 11/5, we had a match on our hands…

The third was, well, brutal, no other way to describe it really, although the score doesn’t reflect the battle on there AT ALL. 7/2 for Mat, 9/6, 11/7, but 19m! Lucas had a simple game plan: play straight unless absolutely forced to crosscourt. He hardly gave any angle to his opponent the whole match forcing him to run at the back a lot. Still Mathieu managed to volley, counterdrop and counterattack Lucas’, and to be honest, the reverse was true as well! Lucas was volleying, counterdropping and finding some lovely attacks out of nowhere, and the fourth was ridiculous squash from start to finish. 9/6, 10/8 Mathieu, it looks over for Lucas but it is not. 

Somehow, Lucas claws back at 10/10, then 12/12, with a little help from the ref at 12/11 Mathieu being awarded a let, reviewing it, and being penalised with a no let!!! Saving 4 match balls, Lucas forces a decider 14/12 in 27m. The fifth about the same than the 4th really, with Mathieu looking bleeping good at 3/0, fresh and perky, but Lucas is still alive and well, 5/5. The rallies are just endlessly ridiculous, both attacking, finding the corners, at the front, at the back, superb, absolutely superb squash, fair and brilliant. Mathieu will need 2 match balls more, but this time, Lucas cannot come back, and it’s Mathieu EVENTUALLY, 11/9… Never in doubt, I knew it all along… Mhahahahahahahah…..

Mathieu

It was amazing to play over an hour and a half with Lucas. He’s such a great guy with a really nice attitude on court and he’s really fair. I would like to see more matches like that.

Unfortunately, last time at the U.S. Open it wasn’t really nice on the court, so I like these kind of matches. This sport is such a difficult game and we showed you today how hard it is to be on the court.

Even if I lost today against Lucas it wouldn’t matter, the most important thing is it was such a great match. We are very close friends, we room together, eat together, train together, but on court we just give it all really. I understand his frustration, as he never beat me in an official match. It all comes down to experience maybe, just a few points here and there, that make the difference at the end, just a couple of points. I’m glad I didn’t break down after missing out of four match balls in the 4th, although I still don’t get why I got a no let but I just showed that you don’t need a ref decision, you just need to show on court who is the best player at that split moment. I’m going to enjoy my rest day, although I don’t feel tired, just it’s very hot, and I’m struggling to ventilate, hard to breathe really! But I think it’s a nice lung opener actually, and that it will be beneficiary for the rest of the tournament….

[cvassquash]

From Philly to St George’s

#3 : Joel Makin, Lucas Serme, Mathieu Castagnet

Welsh number one Joel Makin had a good run in Philadelphia, beating Qatar’s Abdulla al Tamimi in the first round, then coming from a game down to win the next three close games against Mathieu Castagnet (who had beaten dangerous wildcard Andrew Douglas in round one).

 Joel Makin 3-1  Mathieu Castagnet   4-11, 15-13, 11-9, 12-10 (86m)

Defending champion Ali Farag ended Joel’s run in round three, but the Welsh Wizard was a little unlucky not to take the second game.

Joel is up against Germany’s Raphael Kandra in the first match of the tournament on Tuesday at 13.00, with the winner going through to face top seed and defending champion Mohamed Elshorbagy.

Later in the day Mathieu will feature in an all-French matchup with Lucas Serme, who beat Karim Ali Fathi in straight games to reach round two in Philly, where he went out to British Open champion Miguel Rodriguez.

 [5] Miguel Rodriguez (Col) 3-0  Lucas Serme 11-7, 11-6, 11-4 (44m)

Lucas: “No great result, no crazy match... but a lot of experience gained and this is how I feel after two good tournaments in the US. Really looking forward to the next one! “

We’re looking forward to seeing Lucas utilising his new powers at St George’s !!

[elgounasquash]

R1: Shorbagy v Castagnet Highlights

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R2 Castagnet v Lee Highlights