Tickets were hard to come by for Saturday's final matches as the stands began to fill in anticipation for what promised to be an entertaining afternoon of squash. By 2:00PM it was standing room only and time for the men's showdown. CBC Television gave the thumbs up followed by the words "roll tape" and the show was underway.

Power claims his sixth

The opening game was reminiscent of a boxing match with both fighters feeling each other out with the jab prior to throwing knockout blows. The rallies were well constructed with both players looking to establish their length before attacking short and the pace was lightning quick, just the way Power likes it. From the very onset it was clear that Razik's game plan was to involve the referee as much as possible. As in last night's semi-final versus Graham Ryding, Razik chose to play the man when the opportunity was presented or was slow clearing which caused frequent stoppages and decisions. These tactics appeared to be working to perfection as Razik found himself up 7-5. Power, as he is prone to do, voiced his displeasure but did it for a reason.

"There's so much grey area when refereeing squash. It's the nature of the game. There were some early decisions I didn't agree with, he didn't agree with so part of the banter with the referee is because you have to figure out where he's coming from so you know when to call and when to play but whatever, that's normal, it's the way squash is played"

Once Power knew where "he was coming from" he promptly went on a 4-point run to take the lead 9-7 and secured the first game 11-8.

In the second Power was in full attack mode slotting in his lethal backhand volley drop and using his delay to keep Razik on the defensive. He quickly raced away to a 6-2 lead and on the ensuing rally collided with Razik knocking him to the floor. Power then entered into a discussion on clearing. When play resumed he built upon his lead, stretched it to 9-4, then hit a perfect forehand cross-court to length. The players then exchanged points, thus game #2 ended 11-5.

The third saw Power in control however Razik, to his credit, showed great touch up front and with the lob. He kept Power within striking distance and towards the later stages only trailed by a 6-7 margin. With the score at 9-7 the rally ended with Power screaming "What are you doing Razik? Call your double bounce." Perhaps this flustered Razik as the next rally ended with an error? Power then wrapped up the game and the match thanks to a stroke.

Women's title up for grabs

After a short break it was time for the much anticipated women's showdown. Alana Miller looking to repeat as National Champion and Melanie Jans-Burke hoping to inscribe her name on the silverware for a fourth time.

The first game was a blow-out victory for Jans-Burke. She wrapped things up 9-2 thanks in large part to Miller who appeared nervous and made a few too many unforced errors in the opener. Miller was playing the pace game which she hoped would put Jans-Burke under pressure. It did not. When Jans-Burke is on she can hit with anyone in the country and today she was exactly that.

Well experience is a beautiful thing when it comes to dealing with pressure and Jans-Burke being the "veteran" if you will appeared relaxed and focused throughout the entire event. By her own admission she was hungry for the title, "I wanted it this year and knew coming in that the seeding meant nothing" she said. "Any of the top seven could've won. I trained very hard and I relied a lot on my instincts to help me through the matches" Miller offered up some strong resistance from this point in the match onward. She built a 4-0 lead in game #2 and looked poised to knot things at a game a piece when up 7-4. Jans-Burke dug in and somehow pulled this one out. Much to Miller's dismay she rattled off the next 5 points and stole the second.

The third was really never in doubt. Jans-Burke lead 5-2 and more tin from her opponent gave her the game 9-6 and the match 3-0.


For the record, this being my 5th trip to the Nationals, I say Tournament Director Seamus O'Keefe and Squash Canada have raised the bar taking the event to a new level ...M elanie Jans-Burke and Jonathon Power, Canada's 2005 National Squash Champions.

Ryan Barnett
 

 

Power did not lose a game the entire event. "I played OK, there's always a lot of pressure when you're expected to win. Anytime I win at home it's great. "This title is tougher to win than people think as players are getting better and better. Razik played pretty well this tournament he got to a lot of balls during our match. "I've got one more tournament to play before the summer break so I'm almost done. The Super Series and I'm looking forward to it." Jonathon Power A quick shower and it's off to the airport ...

Jonathon Power Interview

"This feels awesome. "When I had match-ball I started to get excited but I went back to what my coach told me, Mel keep your head. .. keep your head. "I'm happy with the way I played. My strategy was quite simple. I wanted to keep her behind me and then use my money shot, my boast, and today it worked." Melanie Jans-Burke

The view
from the "Jimmy-Jib"

A near capacity crowd gathered Friday evening in Toronto to witness semi-final action at the 2005 Canadian Squash Championships. Around midnight local time, once the smoke had cleared, Saturday's finalists were determined. On the women's side Alana Miller goes for back to back championships as she faces veteran Melanie Jans-Burke. While in men's action Jonathon Power will be hunting for his sixth crown in seven years as he squares off against Shahier Razik.

Jans tops top seed

Melanie Jans-Burke and Runa Reta kicked off the evening for what everyone hoped would be a classic confrontation. Last year Reta announced herself as a contender for Canadian women's squash supremacy laying a licking on her at this juncture of the 2004 Nationals. Since then Reta has slowly began climbing the WISPA hierarchy having now built her world ranking to #32 and entered this tournament as the #1 seed. Jans-Burke on the other hand has pretty much said goodbye to her globetrotting days. She still competes in a few events here and there however most of her energy is spent in the confines of the Vancouver Lawn, Tennis and Badminton club where she's the resident squash pro. Seeded fourth Jans-Burke entered this one as the underdog.

Well, the match ended 3-1, exactly as it did last year; difference being it was Jans-Burke victorious this time around. She took the first two games thanks to early nerves from her opponent coupled with great shotmaking. Reta appeared to settle down and won the third but it was all Jans-Burke is the fourth.

Post-match Reta offered up the following, "In the first two games I was all over the place while she came out really strong hitting some amazing length to keep me pinned in the back. In the 3rd I settled down, started feeling strong and I found my own length. I felt good going into the fourth but popped way to much in the middle and with a player of Melanie's caliber you can't do that, you're not going to get away with it"

So how does Jans-Burke feel about going for a fourth Canadian Championship? "I'm really looking forward to it. I can hardly wait. I feel so comfortable about my game right now. I'm enjoying my squash and being here in Toronto being able to share this with my family and friends is truly special"

[4] Melanie Jans Burke bt [1] Runa Reta
      9/5, 9/8, 6/9, 9/1

Miller set for title defence

Her opponent will be defending women's champion Alana Miller who also needed four games to vanquish her opponent. Miller built a big lead in the opening game against Carolyn Russell only to see Russell claw back and steal it 9-7.

The final three games were all Miller as she never trailed in any of them and took full command of this semi-final encounter.

Miller appears to be peaking at the perfect time and also feels confident about her game heading into the final. "I'm feeling strong, feeling good. I feel like this was a good match for me as my game is coming along. I'm really looking forward to playing Melanie tomorrow as it's been about a year and half since we last played."

 [3] Alana Miller bt [7] Carolyn Russell
      7/9, 9/3, 9/3, 9/2

Power through once more

The first men's semi-final of the evening saw Jonathon Power square off against Matthew Guiffre. Somewhere, someplace I've seen this movie before. Jonathon Power goes through the whole draw without dropping a single game, collects another Championship and quickly rushes out of the venue. He then boards the Concorde, travels to England for the Super Series Finals playing his first match Monday at 5PM...

Sorry I'm getting a little ahead of myself. Giuffre put forth a spirited effort and in game #2 showed all in attendance that he can compete with the elite just not on this evening.

Power's easily thru to play either Razik or Ryding. Any preference? "No ... I'm not going to make a call on that one. I know Shahier is pretty confident in his game right now and Graham's been playing well all year so I don't know. I mean Graham's got the edge on him head to head but Shahier's beaten him before so he knows he can do it"

[1] Jonathon Power bt [4] Matthew Giuffre 
      11/2, 11/6, 11/2

Razik takes out Ryding

Shahier Razik beat Graham Ryding in a close 5 gamer that could of gone either way. This match was played between two guys who know each other's game so well and are so evenly matched that depending on how the ball bounces often determines who wins and who loses. Long rhythmic rallies with lobs thrown in courtesy of Razik plus straight drops slotted in via Ryding summarized each and every game.

There were many decisions required of the referee but in the end Razik was deserving of this victory. As I went up to get his post match thoughts Razik asked a Squash Canada official to find a doctor.

"My wrist has just cramped up like crazy which is why I had to go for all those drops in the last game" he then continues before I even ask a question.

"Whenever I play Graham it's always a battle. I know exactly what shot he's going to hit and the same with him so that's why there was like a million lets out there because we know exactly where the ball is going. He knows which way I come in and I know which way he comes out so it's a little frustrating when someone knows your every move. I just have to take his legs away before I can play my game"

Any gas left in the tank for Power tomorrow? "Yeah I'm okay just hopefully the wrist is going to clear up as I think I have another one in me"

[3] Shahier Razik bt [2] Graham Ryding 
      9/11, 11/9, 8/11, 11/9, 11/5

Time will tell. Saturday's action begins with the women at 2PM.
  

Men's Semi-Finals:

[1] Jonathon Power bt
[4] Matthew Giuffre 
      11/2, 11/6, 11/2

[3] Shahier Razik bt
[2] Graham Ryding 
      9/11, 11/9, 8/11, 11/9, 11/5

Women's Semi-Finals:

[4] Melanie Jans Burke bt
[1] Runa Reta
      9/5, 9/8, 6/9, 9/1

[3] Alana Miller bt
[7] Carolyn Russell
      7/9, 9/3, 9/3, 9/2

Power aiming for six ...

 

Ryan interviews Jonathon Power Jonathon Power's professional squash career has spanned 14 years. During this time the game has undergone many changes. Players have come and gone. Rules have been upgraded and he himself has matured both as a squash player and as an individual. In a candid interview Power reveals his thoughts on the past, present and future. What keeps you going? Where's the hunger, the drive, motivation at these days? Any problems getting out of bed, heading to the court/office to make it happen? JP: I think that comes and goes. Obviously there are certain times in your life when you're more interested in squash than others. These days I'm enjoying just playing. I still get the buzz from winning. Winning that one match that individual match and the feeling you get. I play for that these days. That one match at a time winning feeling. Let's talk about the maturation of JP as a player and as a person ... JP: As a player as you get older you can maintain the strength and all that. You've just got to work twice as hard. You don't recover as well so you have to do all of the little extras (i.e. physio after matches) When you're younger you don't have to be as well hydrated, do your stretching, do your weight training, because you respond or comeback so quickly. As you get older you've got to cross all the T's and dot all the I's. You've got to make sure you've done everything exactly right as it does make a big difference. As a person you learn along the way. Treat others with respect and if possible try not to make the same mistakes twice. What's the biggest difference for you in terms of the quality of player you're facing on the PSA tour now as opposed to your earlier years? JP: There's much more depth right now than there ever has been at any time during my career. There's no question about that. The game has changed. The tactics have changed. The tin has changed, the scoring has changed. Now that I think about it there's not really a whole lot that resembles the squash from the early 90's. Guys are training year round, are in better shape then when I first started. It's a lot better. This has made the game more competitive. The scoring change has lumped everyone together even more. Some players don't like it but I think it's good for the spectator as it makes every match a little closer and more competitive. It's harder to separate yourself from the other guy these days. Future goals. What is left for you to do? JP: I wanna get to #1 one more time. I want to do it this year by November 1st. That's the goal and after that I'm going to work on just enjoying my squash and playing when I want to. I haven't really been looking that far ahead but am looking to November when my penalty zeros come off from missing tournaments last year. When that happens I'll be able to maybe achieve the #1 ranking so that's what I'm going to go for. Last question. Life after squash. Perhaps start a family? JP: It'll come one day that's for sure. Right now I continue to be busy with allot of other things but yeah one day for sure.

First up on this bright and sunny Toronto morning the Men's round of 16.



Well, 9:00AM is pretty early to begin the festivities but begin they did. Matthew Giuffre's 3-0 dismissal of CDN U-19 Junior Champion Keith Pritchard started the day at the CBC's Barbara Frum Atrium and was actually 1 of 7 straight games victories in this opening stanza. Berg, both Power brothers, Crombie, Ryding, & Razik quickly followed suit. It was only De Lierre whose morning match was held at the Fitness Institute who required extra time.

Speaking of time. It was now noon, the tin was raised, as the Women's Quarterfinals became the next attraction. Melanie Jans-Burke up against Marnie Baizley. Here's a battle normally reserved for the final and despite being close outside the squared box once inside it's strictly business with these ladies. Jans-Burke took the first two games pulling away in the later stages of both and coasted home in the third (9-7, 9-6, 9-1) Baizley's bandaged right ankle a sure sign of an appendage not at 100%.
    

Next it was Runa Reta who saw off the challenge of Seanna Keating (9-1, 9-4, 9-4). As mentioned she will face Jans-Burke in what is a semi-final repeat of last year's Nationals. If memory serves Reta lost the first game then took the next three surrendering a total of only 5 points in the process. Jans-Burke has looked good so far and will no doubt remember last year's tussle.

Now to the upset of the day if you want to call it that?

Carolyn Russell (seeded 7th) knocked out Katie Patrick(seeded 2) in a match littered with decisions. Both players took turns requesting lets from the referee especially on the backhand rail. Russell built huge leads in both the first and second games which Patrick could not recover from, putting her in control as the third game began. More contact, more decisions, point for point to 6-all. Russell took the next two rallies getting to match ball. Things then got interesting as the score knotted at 8, then 9 and the drama built. Russell finally hit her last winner required on this day taking the third 10-9 and wrapping up this match.(9-2, 9-4, 10-9) Afterwards she said it was attritional squash which prevailed..



"I think I got Katie by grinding it out, long rallies, hitting the ball to the back consistantly and not really attacking too much. She made a lot of errors in those first two games which really helped me and made those games quick. In the third she started playing more aggressively started grinding as well but I felt she wasn't really attacking so it was just a matter of grinding it with her and getting some lucky bounces in the back corners."

Russell made it all the way to the 2002 Nationals Final before going down and will have to go through the women's defending champion Alana Miller if she hopes for a return in '05. Miller had little trouble in her match against Tara Mullins, as the 9-1, 9-0, 9-5 scoreline indicates. She should be the fresher of the two for Friday's 6:30 showdown.

No sooner had the last women's match ended and prior to Men's Quarterfinal play a whole legion of CBC cameramen, technicians, and production staff arrived on scene.

The crew instantly set-up camera locations and built graphics (transposing squash players overtop of curling chyron) in preparation for a dry-run prior to Friday's broadcast. Seven cameras will be used including one which will show us squash from a whole new perspective. It's called the "Jimmy Jib" and is pretty much a miniature crane which swings out into the atrium from a floor high above providing what should be some great overhead shots.



Once the crew had plugged everything in Matthew Giuffre and Viktor Berg renewed quarterfinal festivities for the third straight year. Berg had won the last two so Giuffre wanted this to be his turn. As things turned out. It was indeed. In the opener Berg battled back from 6-10 down to force a tie break but eventually fell 2-0. In the second it was back and forth with great speed on display from both athletes. Some real quality pick-ups. Giuffre pulled ahead and wrapped it up 11-8 taking a two game stranglehold. In the third Giuffre makes numerous errors in succession giving Berg a 7-3 cushion which is too much ground to make-up when as evenly matched as these two. Berg prolonged the match taking the third by an identical 11-8 score. The 4th saw Giuffre race away to a 4-0 lead, stretch things to 7-2, then 9-4. Another 11-8 game but more importantly the semi-final berth he desperately wanted. Mission accomplished?



"I did what I came to do so now it's having a good time and enjoying it" he added. "A close four games. I could tell he was struggling a bit in the beginning with the lighting and stuff. I had the advantage of having a few extra matches on here but I stayed on top of him and the only time I really lost points was when I went away from my game and started playing his"

Giuffre will need his best game as he prepares to face Jonathon Power in the opening semi scheduled for 7:30. Power had little trouble pushing past Shawn DeLierre in just over 35 minutes. In other quarter-final action Grahan Ryding beat Jamie Crombie 11-9, 11-4, 11-5. While Shahier Razik fended off Ian Power 11-3, 11-4, 11-6.

Men's Quarters:
[1] Jonathon Power bt Shawn De Lierre 11/4, 11/2, 11/0
[4] Matthew Giuffre bt [5] Viktor Berg 12/10,11/8,8/11, 11/8
[3] Shahier Razik bt Ian Power 11/3, 11/4, 11/6
[2] Graham Ryding bt Jamie Crombie 11/9, 11/4, 11/5

Women's Quarters:
[1] Runa Reta bt Seanna Keating  9/1, 9/4, 9/4
[4] Melanie Jans Burke bt [5] Marnie Baizley  9/7, 9/6, 9/1
[3] Alana Miller bt Tara Mullins  9/1, 9/0, 9/5
[7] Carolyn Russell bt [2] Katie Patrick  9/2, 9/4, 10/9
  

Daybreak at the Atrium



Ryding & Giuffre safely through to quarters



 

Baizley & Jans Burke

Top seed Reta safely through

Patrick upset by Russell

Alana Miller

the "Jimmy Jib"




CBC covers curling & squash!!

Power on course ...



 

MEN'S DRAW WOMEN'S DRAW

The Barbara Frum Atrium located in the heart of downtown Toronto provided the perfect setting as the Canadian National Squash Championships took centre stage. There were no surprises during Wednesday's two opening rounds as the top 10 men and top 8 women all progressed without any real challenge.

On the men's side, keeping with PSA tradition, the scoring was PAR to 11 and for the most part every match ended three straight. Jonathon Power, now ranked #4 in the World, wasted little time securing his round of 16 appearance dispatching Daniel Sibley in under 20 minutes. Given the quick result one would assume Power had no trouble however it wasn't just his opponent he had to deal with on this day.

"It's a great venue. There's just one problem" says Power. "The sunlight. The sunlight comes in from above and reflects off the glass and you can't see the ball off the wall, the depth, the width and you get surprised by basic shots. It's these early round matches where the daylight factor is. Hopefully as the week goes on and the matches begin later this won't continue to be an issue. No worries, I'm feeling pretty good, nice tune-up and I'm looking forward to the rest of the week"

Defending champ and second seed Graham Ryding also advanced in straight games defeating his 16yr old opponent Colin West. This was one of those matches where you couldn't help but root for the kid. Despite the straight games loss West impressed all in attendance with his tenacity and shotmaking. He'll be back, bigger and stronger next year. West has a bright future in squash. Pretty safe to assume Ivy league scholarship if he so decides.



Also advancing to the round of 16 were Shahier Razik(seeded third), Matthew Giuffre of Edmonton (fourth), Viktor Berg of Vancouver (fifth), Ian Power of Montreal (sixth), Jamie Crombie of Calgary (seventh), Shawn De Lierre of Brossard, Que., (eighth), David Phillips of Pointe-Claire, Que., (ninth), Josh Struthers of Winnipeg (10th), Robin Clarke of Ottawa (12th), Keith Pritchard of Calgary (14th), Jamie Martel of Cambridge, Ont., (15th), Kamran Naushashi of Mississauga, Ont. (17th) and Patrick Bedore of Calgary.

"Yes and No. I consider myself very much the underdog because I've never won. Obviously being seeded at the top there's expectations. I want to win that goes without saying. The difference between winning the Nationals and winning at Penn is that there it was a collaborative achievement while winning here would be much more individualistic."



Well Runa had no problem winning on this day. Too much pace, time on the ball, and delay caused her opponent to look skyward on more than one occasion. Reta wrapped things up 27-3(9-0, 9-0, 9-3) thus booking her quarterfinal slot.

Alana Miller, the 2004 National Champ who is seeded in the third spot, continued where she left off last year defeating Ruchika Kumar 3-0. Miller said it's not how you start but how you finish that makes the difference. "I'm happy with today but looking forward to playing my best squash as things go along. If I can do that the rest will take care of itself"

In other women's action, also advancing to the quarterfinals were number-two Katie Patrick of Calgary, Melanie Jans Burke of Vancouver (seeded fourth), Marnie Baizley of Winnipeg (fifth), Tara Mullins, Pointe-Claire (sixth), Carolyn Russell of Winnipeg (seventh) and Seanna Keating of Toronto (eighth).

Action continues on Thursday with the men's last 16 and quarter-finals, and the women's quarters ...

Ryan Barnett

Power feeling 'pretty good'


Shahier Razik


Matthew Giuffre

Alana Miller

Melanie Jans Burke