#cuskelly

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Cusk calls it a day

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Australian Nationals

Lobban & Cuskelly take Aussie National Titles

The 2019 Australian National Champions were decided over the weekend at Carrara Squash Centre on the Gold Coast. It was the end of a massive 10 days of Squash on the Gold Coast with the Australian Doubles Open, World Doubles Championships and the Australian National Championships all being held back to back with Australia’s highest ranked players competing.

Ryan Cuskelly has claimed his second Australian National title after he defeated Cameron Pilley 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 in 34m.  

Donna Lobban on her way back from injury was too good for Christine Nunn in the women’s final, winning 11-7, 11-6, 6-11, 11-8 also in 34m.

Full Draws & Results

[qatarsquash]

Scintillating Richards takes the sting out of Cusk….

Tom Richards (Eng) 3-1 Ryan Cuskelly (Aus) 5-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-7 (58m)

I have seen Tom struggle for years with his hamstring. Like Ramy, he has his career hindered by injury and it is a huge pleasure to see him play like he did tonight.

Cusk and him just looooove the court: it’s cold and it takes the attacks extremely well. I remember Cusk telling me a few months ago “1, 2, 3 attack, 1, 2, 3 attack”. Up and down the wall is not for the Australian, and believe me, it’s not for the Englishman either! We were lucky to be served with a superb game of squash, very few calls, fluid movement for two guys playing at 200m/h. Intelligent, clever game, moving all the time, varying height and angles, and a truly great game of attacking squash. Cuskelly came of the blocks better, 6/2, 8/3, taking the opener 11-5 in 14 long minutes still.

I feel it probably blew the cobwebs away for the English, who realised that he had to take the game to the Australian and be more incisive and daring at the front. Which he suddenly started to do in the second, and despite making 5 unforced errors – which often goes hand to hand with a high percentage game – he takes the second 11/7, in 12m from 6/6…. The English will keep the momentum going in the second, never letting the Australian getting into the game, 6/1, 8/2, 11/5 in 10m, playing immaculate squash and truly making his opponent doubt and look for solutions he couldn’t find. The third is closer, 1/1, 2/2, 3/3, 4/4, 5/5, but again, Tom is just free flowing attacking everything and it all seemed to work and go in beautifully. Errors creeping in for the Australian who just couldn’t contain an opponent in the zone, 16m, 11/7…

 Tom

It means a lot to reach the third round.

Ryan is a great player and I feel like I played some really good squash in the last few games. I used the conditions well and I’m just delighted to be fit and healthy and playing. I knew I had the game to beat and I knew I can beat him but equally I knew he was more than capable of blowing me away so I’m just happy to come through.

It was a question of confidence today I think. After the second mid game, I started to relax and let the arm go. I was moving well, hitting well and I took a bit of confidence away from him as he saw I was getting some good shots at the front.

I’m happy I came back from the first game, where he beat me rather comfortably, and I changed my game. I tried to be more positive really. I also stop boasting that much, on that court, you think playing short but in fact, it pays off to play straight. So I played as straight as I could and once in a while went for a couple of nicks.

it was really a question of being positive. In the first game I thought I had a few opportunities but I didn’t take them. After that game, I made sure I was taking the chances and be as positive as I could.

[bellevueclassic]

R1: Cuskelly v Coppinger Highlights

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R2: Dessouky v Cuskelly

[learning-squash-blog]

Best squash game by Squash World No.1 Elshorbagy (Egypt) ever? This game might well be the highlight of Elshorbagy’s young career. Yes, Elshorbagy likely has thousands of professional games at no.1 remaining, however the number of mind-numbing accurate shots and graceful-ballet like court craft in one game is both talent and inch perfect luck. Cuskelly (Australia) was potentially having the tournament of his life, and for Elshorabagy to beat him so convincingly was a freak of nature. Gautier and Mathews would have taken as severe of a beating given their current state of play. For pure circus amazement watch this game to appreciate the freakish dexterity of Elshorbagy (long may his pure genetic skill reign!). Written by @DFFlanders

[dameednaeverage]

You know your lecturer is famous when an article you are reading for an assignment references her.