For Wednesday's Press Release click HERE

Press Release:

St. Louis MPM Open

Squash Tournament

- September 30, 2004 - Missouri Athletic Club - St. Louis Missouri - USA

Opening Round Matches

The St. Louis MPM Squash Tournament opened Thursday with some terrific action that promises an exciting weekend of squash at the Missouri Athletic Club.

Recap:

Jonathon Power (Canada) Def. Simon Parke (England) 3 games to 2

11-6, 9-11, 3-11, 11-8, 11-8

84 Minutes

This match truly lived up to its billing. It was not only the match that the fans wanted to see, but was also the match that captured the attention of the other players. Missouri Athletic Club Squash Pro Michael Puertas said afterwards that this was perhaps the best competition he had ever seen in his 21 years in squash.

Power controlled the pace of the match and never seemed to be under too much pressure. Parke proved that he was in top condition and won the crowd with his "never say die" effort.

Jon Power set the tone in game 1 and controlled the pace with a mix of good lengths and well timed drop shots. He took game one 11 to 6 and many thought Parke may be overmatched.

In game 2 Parke took control and never gave up the lead. Power surged late and won several hotly contested rallys but could not overcome the deficit. On game point Parke made a tremendous get that Power strongly protested as "down". It was clear to all but Jonathon Power that Parke had successfully played the shot.

Clearly in game 3 Power was still fuming over the second game. Parke hustled out every ball and dominated, winning the game and the awed crowd.

But it was not to be for Simon Parke. Power gathered himself, and in spite of a few tantrums and unforced errors he controlled the pace in game 4.

It was only fitting that this match went the distance. If it is possible, Simon Parke appeared to get stronger in game 5. Power pushed Parke's endurance to the limit, but Parke never quit. At the end of the most hotly contested game of the match Parke prevailed 11-8.

This match was a real treat for the fans who seemed almost as exhausted as the players.

Jonathon Power will face Anthony Ricketts of Australia on Friday at 6:30 (MAC)

Joseph Kneipp (Australia) Def. Michael Puertas (USA) 3 games to 1

3-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-5

43 Minutes

Had it not been for the Powers v. Parke face off, this would have been the match of the tournament. Home pro Mike Puertas gave the home crowd a thrill with a first game 11-3 victory. Puertas showed signs of his distant youth with some tremendous shot making and deception. Confused after winning game 1, Puertas thought he had won the match and left for the bar, but was quickly dragged back to the court to finish the battle.

Proving that old age is not all it's cracked up to be Puertas gave up games 2, 3, and 4 in just over 20 minutes.

Kneipp will face Gregory Gaultier of France on Friday at the MAC

Graham Ryding (Canada) Def. Mark Chaloner (England) 3 games to 1

11-10 (2-0), 11-3, 4-11, 11-6

56 minutes

This match featured world #17 Graham Ryding vs. world # 19 Mark Chaloner. In game one, neither player took total control as is evidenced by the 11 all tie. Long rallys and strong play on both sides gave the fans a tremendously exciting opening game that went to Ryding in the first two points of overtime.

Ryding dominated game 2 gaining an early lead and never looking back winning 11-3

In game 3 Chaloner took advantage of 4 unforced errors by Ryding who fell behind 8-2 and was never able to dig out of the hole.

Chaloner kept game 4 close until 6 each, when Ryding pulled ahead with several quick points and ended the match in a game that lasted less than 10 minutes

Ryding will face Egyptian #3 seed Karim Darwish on Friday at the MAC

Gregory Gaultier (France) Def. Alex Gough (Wales) 3 games to 1

6-11, 11-8, 11-1, 11-2

52 Minutes

Gough, unhappy with a few early loose balls over came to win the first game 11-6. Game 1 was not even close with Gough only giving up a few points shooting and missing trying to close out the game.

Gaultier proved to be the more conditioned athlete and continually extended points slowly wearing down Alex Gough. Gaultier never appeared pressured and seemed to always be in the right place at the right time. After 6 each in game 2, Gaultier never lost a lead again winning game two 11 - 8 and games three and four, only allowing Gough a total of 3 point in the two final games.

Gualtier will face Joseph Kneipp of Australia on Friday at 7:30 at the MAC

Mohammed Abbas (Egypt) Def. Laurens Jan Anjema (Netherlands) 3 games to 1

11-9, 8-11, 11-7, 11-10 (2-0)

55 Minutes

Abbas controlled game 1 early but made 3 unforced errors in a row to allow Anjema to tie the game. In fact 6 of Anjema’s 9 points in game 1 came off of errors by Abbas. Abbas was able to overcome to prevail in game 1.

Game two was tight until Abbas put two shots into the tin on 7-7 and 8-7. Anjema took advantage and went on to win game 2 by a score of 11-8

Abbas sprinted to a 7-2 lead in game 3 and in spite 2 let strokes and a late surge by Anjema he hung on to take game three 11-7.

In a fitting game 4 the lead see sawed back a forth. At 6-6 Abbas took control and went up 10-7. Anjema took advantage of another let stroke and his own strong play to tie the game 10 each. At 11 all Abbas won two quick points to finish the match.

Abbas will meet Egypt's Amr Shabana on Friday night at the MAC

In other first round action…

Amr Shabana (Egypt) Def. Paul Price (Australia)

11-4, 11-4, (Game 3 Default)

20 minutes

In a match that lasted less than 20 minutes Amr Shabana dominate Paul Price who surrendered at 4 to zero in game 3.

Shabana will face Mohammed Abbas on Friday night.

And at the Racquet Club…

Anthony Ricketts (Australia) Def. Ben Garner (England) 3 games to 1

11-6, 11-3, 8-11, 11-9

40 Minutes

Ricketts faces Jonathon Power on Friday

Karim Darwish (Egypt) Def. Wael El Hindi (Egypt)

11-4, 11-10 (5-3), 6-11, 11-7

51 minutes

Darwish faces Graham Ryding on Friday.

Round 2 Match Ups

Jonathon Powers (Canada) vs. Anthony Ricketts (Australia)

Karim Darwish (Egypt) vs. Graham Ryding (Canada)

Joseph Kneipp (Australia) vs. Gregory Gaultier (France)

Mohammed Abbas (Egypt) vs. Amr Shabana (Egypt)

For full tournament coverage and complete brackets please go to www.stlouisopen.com