Pett Progresses After Berkshire Breakthrough
12 April 2012
RESULTS: PSA International 35 Berkshire Open, Williamstown, Mass, USA
1st round (top half of draw):
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) bt Chris Simpson (ENG) 13-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5 (74m)
[Q] Olivier Pett (ENG) bt Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) 11-7, 11-9, 12-10 (50m)
Shawn Delierre (CAN) bt [Q] Scott Arnold (AUS) 11-6, 11-6, 11-13, 11-9 (82m)
[3] Borja Golan (ESP) bt [Q] Charles Sharpes (ENG) 11-5, 11-1, 11-4 (27m)
English qualifier Olivier Pett produced a stunning upset on the opening day of action in the Berkshire Open in the USA when he defeated Malaysia’s Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan in straight games to reach the quarter-finals of the PSA World Tour International 35 squash event in its eighth year at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
“Pett survived two rounds of qualifying and then upset world-ranked #34 Nafiizwan Adnan, whose beautiful movement but emotionally passive play allowed a more determined Pett to out-work and out-position Adnan in a lengthy three-gamer,” said tournament organiser Zafi Levy, the college’s Head Squash Coach.
Following his 11-7, 11-9, 12-10 victory in 50 minutes, the 23-year-old world No68 from Sussex goes on to meet top seedAlister Walker, the world No18 from Botswana.
US-based Walker struggled more than expected in downing Chris Simpson, the world No46 from England 13-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5 in 74 minutes. Simpson had two game balls in the first, stayed even in the second then won the third before finally running out of gas in the fourth.
Borja Golan, the third seed from Spain, was considerably more efficient in despatching English qualifier Charles Sharpes11-5, 11-1, 11-4 in 27 minutes.
The most entertaining – and longest – match of the evening paired Canadian Shawn Delierre against Australian qualifierScott Arnold.
“As usual, when Shawn plays, there were lots of lets and lots of litigating,” explained Levy. “Shawn’s opponents tend to take his on-court behaviour personally, which is understandable, but the truth is that he just happens to bring his own personality on court just like everyone else.
“He has a great racquet and wonderful anticipation, and if you leave loose balls for him to work with, he is remarkably efficient in outmanoeuvring his opponents, as he did tonight.”
Delierre beat Arnold 11-6, 11-6, 11-13, 11-9 in 82 minutes and next faces Golan.
Outstanding 1st round matches:
[4] Stephen Coppinger (RSA) v Julian Illingworth (USA)
Arturo Salazar (MEX) v Yasir Butt (PAK)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) v [Q] Christopher Gordon (USA)
[2] Tom Richards (ENG) v Siddharth Suchde (IND)
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