World Squash Day is a positive and impactful occasion, and we are proud that many member clubs in the United States participated in making it as successful as it was. While the US only has 4% of the court capacity globally, a notable 5% of the clubs that participated were from America, showing our nation’s commitment and love of the sport.

World Squash Day is one of the many initiatives that U.S. SQUASH is supporting to promote squash to the world as part of the entire Olympic bid campaign. We are deeply invested in the overall ongoing drive to promote squash to the world both inside and outside of the squash community, as part of the entire Olympic bid efforts that will be the consideration of the International Olympic Committee when they make their decision.

Along with numerous articles about the Olympic bid and World Squash Day on our websites and within emails sent to our members – in September, U.S. SQUASH ran an article (left) about World Squash Day at the front of our official publication, Squash Magazine, which is sent to all members across the country and available in squash clubs across the nation.

World Squash Day is one part of a broad array of activity that U.S. SQUASH has been heavily involved with in terms of funding, promoting and driving the Olympic pursuit of squash globally.

“The leadership of U.S. SQUASH has been directly and deeply engaged over the last few months in working closely with the World Squash Federation and some of the most important executives in the Olympic movement regarding squash’s pending bid. In particular U.S. Squash has raised a significant share of the funding for our talented bid consultant who is responsible for the overall campaign, including producing the necessary media material including the all-important bid film that will be utilized for the upcoming presentations to the IOC,” says Peter Lasusa, Board Chair of U.S. SQUASH.

The U.S. SQUASH Annual Assembly was recently held, open to all members and constituents of U.S. SQUASH, at which Mike Lee OBE, the Olympic bid consultant, was enlisted to make the keynote presentation to our members about the Olympic bid and activities to promote squash including World Squash Day, to raise a broader awareness and understanding of the campaign within the US. That keynote presentation was also live streamed to all U.S. SQUASH members and the community at large online.

“We are very grateful that U.S. SQUASH invited Mike Lee across during their Annual Assembly to help raise interest in the Olympic bid to all constituents within the United States. We are also very pleased with the written support in email blasts and articles that U.S. SQUASH has provided throughout the campaign,” says Andrew Shelley, Chief Executive of the World Squash Federation.

U.S. SQUASH has just wrapped up the 2012 Delaware Investments U.S. Open, which brought international attention to the game of squash and produced extensive local, national and global media coverage of our top professional players and their Olympic aspirations in the lead up to World Squash Day.

During the U.S. Open, a video was produced highlighting the world’s top players (left) and encouraging viewers to ‘Back the Bid’, both within the video and in the accompanying text. That video was sent out to the entire U.S. SQUASH membership and other stakeholders a few days before World Squash Day with an article explicitly encouraging members to contact their clubs to participate in World Squash Day, and has also already travelled extensively around the world via social media.

The U.S. Open was an excellent way of highlighting why squash deserves to be in the Olympics. Leading up to and during the U.S. Open, the promotion of squash’s Olympic bid was a heavy focus – an article about the Olympic bid (right) was published in the official event program, extensive Back the Bid branding and signage was displayed, regular membership emails and website updates were produced and distributed to our entire national membership profiling the Olympic bid, content was provided on the U.S. Open web app, and social media posts.

We will continue to support the Olympic bid over the coming months in the lead up to the IOC’s decision. It is clear that this campaign has brought out the best in our national and international community, who have banded together in support of the Olympic pursuit, and we look with optimism to the outcome.

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The U.S. Open provides an opportunity to bring together every great aspect of our sport – from the top level elite professionals, to community and grassroots participants; from fanatical followers watching the event onscreen via SquashTV, to local Philadelphian supporters joining the crowds to watch the gripping battles live from the stands; from squash enthusiasts tweeting about their favorite player’s success in the tournament from the other side of the world, to schoolchildren staring in wide-eyed, inspired wonder as they actually get to meet their squash idol in person at the event.

Squash has touched the lives of millions, and its lure is addictive.  With an involvement level of some 25,000,000 players in 185 countries across the globe, this challenging contest of agility, strategy, talent, and mental and physical strength brings together an enthusiastic community of passionate and energetic players.

The United States has the fastest growing squash participation level of any country worldwide – the most recent data from the Sporting Good Manufacturers Association shows a remarkable growth of 82% between 2007 and 2011.  Junior squash is one of the fastest growing areas, with participation in U.S. SQUASH junior events increasing more than 400% in the same period.  Doubles participation has surged with the success of the pro tour, with the women added in recent years and local tournaments and leagues increasingly active.  Women’s squash is another area which has been significantly intensifying, and this year’s Women’s Squash Week in September was the biggest ever, with events held in twelve cities from coast to coast for hundreds of players of all ages and levels.

As well as higher participation rates, U.S. SQUASH membership has increased by 105% since our low in 2005.  Nearly 16,000 U.S. SQUASH members enjoy the benefits of being able to view their club, district and national rankings online, link with our entire national membership community, contact other members directly, arrange matches online, receive tailored communications about the latest squash events and news, and receive discounts with partner organizations.

One of the most exciting recent innovations at U.S. SQUASH has been the launch of the new U.S. SQUASH website, which features enhanced interactivity, information, profiling and membership benefits.  With the significant increase in membership in recent years, and the high levels of traffic that the site experiences (it is the most highly trafficked national squash website in the world!), the new site has created a modern and advanced platform for the expanding U.S. SQUASH community to keep up-to-date with the latest news, updates, rankings, events and program information.  A mobile web app will be soon to follow, similar to the one already available for the 2012 U.S. Open!

One of the main goals of U.S. SQUASH is to make squash more broadly accessible to play and watch, and to promote it to those who aren’t familiar with the world of squash.  Traditionally, squash was available only to those few who could afford to join clubs, and tournaments seen only by members of those clubs, but in recent decades we have moved in to a new era, where the joy of squash is accessible to everyone, from every walk of life.

The urban squash movement, led by the visionary social entrepreneur Greg Zaff, was the start to this change, when Squash Busters was launched in Boston in the mid-90s.  The program was the starting block for what is now a national network of urban squash programs across the United States, overseen by the National Urban Squash and Education Association (NUSEA), offering squash, education, mentoring and a bright future to the nation’s underprivileged and at-risk youth.

Not only has the urban squash program had a phenomenal impact on the lives of the young people who access the services every day, but also on the squash community as a whole.  Equally fulfilling is the opportunity for passionate squash players to share their love of our sport by passing on the flame to enthusiastic young people.  No longer does the squash community exclusively focus inward. Hundreds of squash players volunteer at urban squash programs across the country, tutoring and coaching the students.  They form deep relationships that last years and pass on their love for squash, often rediscovering it themselves in the process.

U.S. SQUASH’s own mission is also about focusing more broadly on growth and progression – using collaboration and innovation to intensify the awareness and participation in our sport, and achieve the vision of giving all people the opportunity to enhance their health and well being through squash.

Hosting an event like the U.S. Open raises the awareness of squash both internally and externally, and brings together local, national and international supporters of our sport – from local clubs and communities, urban squash players and volunteers, and grassroots participants, to international pro competitors, worldwide fans, and global stakeholders.  It provides an excellent opportunity to reflect annually on everything we strive to achieve and inspire a renewed appreciation and recognition of our sport and its dedicated community.

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Despite extremely successful individual careers, including both previously having won the World Open, the highest level of professional competition – for both it was their first time winning the title of U.S. Open champion.  For Nicol, it was the only major title missing from her trophy cabinet…she had won every other professional title possible in squash.

During their acceptance speeches, both players said that a chance at an Olympic medal would overshadow all the successes they have achieved in their careers so far.  Nicol vowed that if the current Olympic bid is successful and squash does get voted into the 2020 Olympics, she’ll be there – “even if I have to bring my walking stick!” she chuckled.

Ramy added:  “I’d swap all the trophies and all the successful things I’ve done in my life with one gold Olympic medal.  It’s the pinnacle for every athlete in the world.  I might be a little bit old, but hopefully I can make it in 2020.”

With World Squash Day coming up this week, a further global push to profile squash and the pursuit to secure a place at the 2020 Olympics, the U.S. Open was certainly an excellent lead up to highlight why our magnificent sport deserves to be there.  The U.S. Open brought together every great aspect of our sport – from the top level elite professionals, to community and grassroots participants; from fanatical followers watching the event onscreen via SquashTV, to local Philadelphian supporters joining the crowds to watch the gripping battles live from the stands; from squash enthusiasts tweeting about their favorite player’s success in the tournament from the other side of the world, to schoolchildren staring in wide-eyed, inspired wonder as they actually got to meet their squash idol in person at the event.

Throughout the week thousands of fans from near and far walked through the doors of the host venue at Drexel University’s Daskalakis Athletic Center to experience the enthralling display of elite squash, and by all accounts it was an exceptional event.

“It’s so good to win such a big, big title – it means a lot to me,” said Ramy, “It has been a great week.  Everything has been so well organized.  Everyone has been doing their job here more than perfectly,” he added.

World #1 James Willstrop echoed the sentiments, both via Twitter during the event, as well as in an article he later penned for UK’s Yorkshire Post entitled ‘Squash is on the up in the US’.

Local media showed significant interest in the event, with television coverage from NBC10, PHL-17 and 6abc, the Philadelphia Inquirer providing daily updates on results and matches, and feature articles by the Philadelphia Business Journal, Daily Pennsylvanian, Drexel Triangle, Daily Princetonian, The Journal News and more.  Further from home, international press coverage stretched from England, France, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Egypt, Mexico and Africa.  Along with excellent ongoing coverage streamed live worldwide by PSA SquashTV throughout the event, the finals were also aired live and free to viewers on ESPN3.

In a highlight win for the United States, national wildcard Chris Gordon, world ranked #72, beat world #15 Hisham Ashour in the first round of the event.  A huge win in his career, and a significant achievement for any player to beat an opponent over fifty places ahead in world rankings, the win will go down in the books as a special moment for squash in the United States.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to U.S. SQUASH.  I wouldn’t be out here if it wasn’t for them. They gave me huge confidence by giving me a wildcard and helped me in my dream,” he said.

In addition to the U.S. Open championships, many other events occurred throughout the week in Philadelphia alongside the main tournament.

The U.S. SQUASH Annual Assembly was held, bringing together members from across the country to discuss all aspects squash in the United States, as well as the Olympic bid.  The keynote presentation was made by Mike Lee OBE, who is leading the World Squash Federation’s campaign for squash’s inclusion in the Olympics.

“We have been setting out a campaign to show the way the sport has modernized, improved and innovated. We have engaged the players in presenting to the IOC, and the key thing now is maintaining momentum all the way till they take the final vote,” said Mr. Lee.

The U.S. SQUASH Hall of Fame inductees were announced in a ceremony at the U.S. Open, and Class of 2011 inductees Bob Callahan and Joyce Davenport were both formally inducted during on-court presentation.

Bob joked about why he had been given such a special honor. “I finally figured it out!  It’s because I’ve been around so long, I have dirt on every single person in squash – somebody had to come up with the award before I wrote my first book,” he laughed.

SquashSmarts facilitated a Kids’ Day, where hundreds of kids from local schools across Philadelphia got to attend the U.S. Open and meet some of their favorite players.  Additionally, an elite urban squash squad brought together 28 young players from urban programs across the nation who travelled from cities as far as San Diego, Denver, Detroit, Boston, New York, Baltimore and New Haven for the opportunity to immerse themselves in their favorite sport for the weekend.  They participated in a squash development training squad at SquashSmarts, and also received a visit and coaching from women’s world #1 Nicol David, a trip to the U.S. Open to watch some their favorite stars in action, and even a go on the U.S. Open center court.

13 year old Kevin Price was the one participant chosen to come from Detroit to represent Detroit’s Racket Up program. He had never traveled on a plane before the weekend, and along with that new thrill he also got to meet his idols Nick Matthew and Amr Shabana, and had the opportunity to play on the U.S. Open’s all-glass showcase court.

Tim Wyant, Executive Director of NUSEA, said the whole experience has been wonderful for the players.

“For us to be a part of this weekend, probably the biggest weekend in the year for squash, and for us to have the support of U.S. SQUASH and people like Nicol David is really special,” said Wyant. “This is an amazing experience for everyone involved.”

Just over 300 players participated in a Junior Championship Tour tournament at Penn University on the first weekend of the U.S. Open, allowing the nation’s most highly skilled players under 19 years old to compete with each other, and in close vicinity to the worlds best professionals in Philadelphia.  The players were able to visit the U.S. Open between their matches, to be inspired by the elite professionals who were competing nearby.

The Intercollegiate Doubles was also held at the nearby in Philadelphia during the first weekend of the U.S. Open, a national championship doubles event which included collegiate teams from across the country in men’s, women’s and mixed divisions.

Hundreds of scholar athletes, who were selected to receive the U.S. SQUASH Scholar Athlete Award for gaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher during the past school year as well as competing in a number of squash tournaments, received recognition for their achievements in front of the crowds during an on-court presentation.

Local clubs hosted qualifier matches of the U.S. Open, and groups of members then also came along together the main event together for specially catered local club nights.

All in all, the extent of participation and support for the U.S. Open was overwhelming, and the event was a success thanks to the cooperation of the hundreds and thousands involved.  In Tim Wyant’s words, it certainly was ‘squash’s biggest weekend of the year’, and everyone is already speaking with enthusiasm about the next one.

In the meantime, the Olympic bid will continue its momentum, to finally be officially announced just before next year’s U.S. Open.

A momentous global awareness activity will occur on October 20, World Squash Day, when thousands of squash clubs across the world will participate in the ‘2020 Challenge’ – holding simultaneous tournaments with 20 players a side in an attempt to create ‘the biggest squash match in history’. Tens of thousands of passionate players have signed up to be involved in the event, which is hoped to provoke extensive worldwide media coverage and heightened awareness.  If you aren’t already involved, contact your local club to find out more.

Hosting an event like the U.S. Open raises the awareness of squash both internally and externally, and brings together local, national and international supporters of our sport – from local clubs and communities, urban squash players and volunteers, and grassroots participants, to international pro competitors, worldwide fans, and global stakeholders. It provided an excellent opportunity to reflect on everything we strive to achieve – and it really did inspire a renewed appreciation and recognition of our sport and its dedicated community.  This year, it also gave us the chance to show the International Olympic Committee what its all about.

There’s no denying that Olympic efforts have been made right across the world to support the Squash 2020 bid.  Whatever the outcome, it is clear that this experience has brought out the best in our international community of over 25,000,000 dedicated squash players, hailing from 185 countries across the globe, who have banded together to support our Olympic pursuit. We have been deeply united through our passion for our beloved sport and our global quest to have it recognized on the world stage.

At best, not only have we intensified our relationships, developed an even more passionate and unified community, and generated broader awareness about our sport, but we will also have the joy and pride of witnessing our elite athletes compete beside the rest of the world’s best in 2020.

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All of the world’s top players competed in a battle of the best in the 2012 Delaware Investments U.S. Open in Philadelphia.

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 Nicol completes the set

The U.S. Open was the only major title that was missing from Nicol David’s trophy cabinet, but tonight in Philadelphia not only did she fill that particular gap, by gaining revenge for her home defeat in the Malaysian Open final by Raneem El Weleily, she set a new record of WSA titles, moving one ahead of Sarah Fitz-Gerald to 63.

Compared to yesterday’s semifinals this was a fast an furious match with El Weleily unafraid as ever to go for her shots and David, as well as trying to contain her opponent, at times joining in the shotmaking contest, more often than not to good effect.

After the Egyptian made the slightly better start the first game was evenly contested, David leading 9-6 but El Weleily firing in four winners to earn game ball. She would have three chances, but Nicol typicall took her first opportunity as an Egyptian dropshott found the tin for 14-12.

Raneem reduced the errors to lead all the way in the second, taking it 11-8, and at 4-0, 5-1 and 6-2 to the Egyptian in the third Nicol looked in trouble.

As she said last night though, she’s been there before, many many times, and a run of eight unanswered points took her to 10-6, then 11-6 on another Egyptian error.

The top seed held a slight advantage throughout the fourth, and from 8-6 two short volleys into the nick brought up match ball. A dropshot saw Raneem struggle to reach the ball, tripping over her opponent and she was just being assisted to her feet when the unsurprising, but nevertheless somewhet anticlimactic, “no let” decision came.

A first U.S. Open title, revenge for a home defeat, and a new record, not a bad night’s work even for Nicol!

“I can’t believe it,” said a delighted new champion, “I keep thinking I should still be out there running after Raneem’s dropshots like I’ve been doing all night!

“When she gets on a roll like she did in the third she can score six points before you’ve even moved off the ‘T’, but I just got my act together, became more positive and stronger on my shots, and played my game not hers, which is what Liz [Irving] had told me to do.

“It feels fantastic to be U.S. Open champion! Next I just hope we can get in the Olympics – if we do I’ll make sure I’m there, even if I have to turn up with my walking stick!”

Ramy races to title

There was a first time men’s winner too as Ramy Ashour continued his recent run of good results against Gregory Gaultier to beat the Frenchman in straight games in a match lasting two minutes less than the preceding women’s final.

For Gaultier it was almost like a role reversal from yesterday’s semifinal with James Willstrop. There, he had been in control and in the lead from the outset, yet today he was the one doing the chasing, on the court and the scoreboard.

Ashour, playing with the speed and control with which he finished his semi-final with Nick Matthew, was quickly 6-3 up in the opening game, and took it 11-4.

A 6-1 start to the second for the Egyptian, which Gaultier pegged back to 6-7 and then held it to 9-all, but Ashour found two winners to double his lead.

After an even start to the third Ashour raced away again, from 5-all to 9-5 in a flash, and although Gaultier again pulled back, on Ramy’s third match ball Greg’s volley found the tin and another new U.S. Open champion was crowned.

“I lost in this final three years ago so to win a prestigious title like this against such a great player as Greg feels just unbelievable,” said Ramy.

“I felt good on court tonight but I had to fight really hard to win.

“It’s been a great week, everyone here does a tremendous job and makes us all feel so welcome, so thanks to everyone involved and we’re all looking forward to next year already!”

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Semifinals day at the Delaware Investments U.S. Open at Drexel University, and the crowd were treated to a quartet of fine matches – two marathon women’s encounters which saw the top seed come back from the bring of defeat and the defending champion go out, followed by a pair of commanding performances from the men’s third and fourth seeds to defeat the top-ranked English pair.

Nicol back from the brink

For two games all looked well for Nicol David, who was bidding to reach her first U.S. Open final here at Drexel University in Philadelphia, as she went two games up against qualifier Joelle King, who was competing well enough but couldn’t stop the Malaysian top seed, world number one and world champion from keeping her nose in front with the patient, probing squash that is her stock in trade these days.

So, 11-6, 11-6 to the Malaysian.

But then the spectre of David’s last two tournaments, both of which she failed to win in a first since 2009, reared its ugly head as King struck back to take the next two games 11-5, 11-8, this time the Kiwi being the one who went, and stayed, ahead.

Not that the pattern of play had changed, but the odd unforced error or loose shot that heralded the end of the rally was now coming from Nicol rather than Joelle.

And so it continued into the fifth as Joelle took a 6-0 lead with Nicol seemingly unable to do much about it. She kept plugging away, as she does, and with Joelle perhaps playing a little too safe as she saw the upset on the horizon, the points started going the other way.

By the time Nicol got back to 6-all the momentum had well and truly turned again, and it was Joelle who was now struggling to find a way to finish off points.

From 6-all the end came quickly, Nicol resuming her dominant mode, playing more aggressively with even the lucky nicks at the back going her way now. It was only a loose shot resulting in a stroke at 10-6 that prevented 11 points in a row.

The winning shot was a crisply struck volley drop from midcourt, and Nicol was back from, if not the dead, then certainly the brink, and the unthinkable three losses in a row was averted.

“I just knew that it’s not over until it’s over,” said a delighted and relieved winner. “I’ve been there before and it’s just down to being determined not to let it go, not making any errors and getting my momentum back.

“I did that, I found my game, and I’m so pleased to win 3-2 and make the final!”

Raneem reaps revenge

Last night we lost the defending men’s champion as Nick Matthew won a five-game thriller against Amr Shabana to avenge his defeat in last year’s final, and tonight in the second women’s semifinal Raneem El Weleily also prevailed in five games to avenge her defeat in last week’s Carol Weymuller final and dethrone Laura Massaro in the process.

The match was a much sharper affair than the first, with fast-paced rallies and both players more than keen to exploit any openings they could create.

The Egyptian second seed amade a few errors, as she always does, but they became fewer and fewer as the match progressed and Massaro, who took the first 11-8, was having to work harder to stay in touch.

Raneem pulled clear from the middle of the second to take it 11-8, and came from 7-9 down to take the third 11-9 with four clean winners.

Laura held the advantage throughout the fourth, but was caught at 9-all after a series of perfect lengths fom the Egyptian racket. She earned a game ball with a dropshot but tinned her first chance. Raneem should have had match ball when she tinned the easiest of volleys with Laura stranded – “that’s one I’ll remember for a long time” she said afterwards – and there was no reprieve as Laura levelled 12-10.

It was all El Weleily in the decider, 7-1 ahead in a flash, 10-2, not long after, and at 10-4 a return of serve was smashed into the nick to complete the revenge and end Laura’s reign.

“It feels great to be in the final,” said a happy winner, “she’s such a strong player I’m really happy I could beat her today.

“I was more balanced in my head today compared to yesterday,” she added. “It was still a bit up and down, but I was a lot calmer. Now I just need to get relaxed for the final …”

Gaultier gallops into the final

“I felt really good right from the start,” said Gregory Gaultier after a comprehensive straight-game win over top seed and world number one James Willstrop in the first men’s semifinal. “I felt that James wasn’t quite there, a little slow … or maybe I just played too well, I don’t know,” quipped the Frenchman.

And that just about summed up the match. Gaultier was always ahead, always seemed to be in charge of the rallies, and although many of them were long, Greg seemed to be the likely winner of them most of the time.

Three consecutive 80-minute plus matches can’t have helped Willstrop’s cause, but that’s not to detract from a fine performance from Gaultier, and a well-deserved 11-7, 11-2, 11-8 win and a place in the final

“He’s been playing so well and making all the finals,” added Gaultier, “and in the end it just takes its toll on your body, I’ve been there myself.

“I analysed my matches at the British Grand Prix two weeks ago,” explained the Frenchman, who lost a 118-minute semifinal against Willstrop there, “and adjusted a few things.

“It was fantastic to win a major event like this in 2006, and I’m pleased to be back in the final, it would be great if I could win it again, I just hope the next two play for five hours!”

Improved Ramy reaches the final

Ramy Ashour claimed the last remaining place in the finals with a display that very different from his showing last night when he beat Peter Barker by the skin of his teeth. Tonight he faced another Englishman in Nick Matthew, the second seed bidding to reach a second successive final.

It didn’t start too well for the Egyptian as Matthew took an early lead and increased it to 10-6. Ashour, seeming to be snapping his shots with mare angle and venom than last night, and skipping around court as well as ever, took the next five points and eventually took what proved to be a crucial lead 15-13 on his third game ball.

It was a fast-paced game with plenty of thrilling rallies and incident to keep the crowd well entertained, even if at times there seemed to be a bit of niggle between the players.

Matthew managed to contain his opponent in taking a second game he always led 11-8, but Ashour refused to be contained for the next two games in which he, this time, always led, taking the third narrowly 11-8 and the fourth more comfortably 11-4,

He finished it with a trademark volley drop that brought the appreciative crowd at Drexel University to its feet one final time.

“I’m happy with how I played tonight,” said Ramy,”I didn’t make the mistake I made yesterday of concentrating on what my opponent was doing. It’s always about how I deal with it mentally, and I was happy with that too tonight.

“I’ll need to make sure I can recover and be at 100% tomorrow, Greg looks to be on top form …”

Matthew reflected on the match: “It’s not the first time I’ve lost a lead like I had in the first to Ramy, so he must be doing something right. I thought I’d won it on a video review – that didn’t go my way but I still had four more chances. I think I should have won the first and if I’d gone 2-0 up it might have been different.

“He played well though, he adapted to tonight’s slower conditions better than me, and my defence wasn’t as good as Pete’s last night and the work he made me do took its toll and I faded a bit in the fourth. In the end he got on top and deserved to win.”

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Massaro wins British battle in Philly

Defending champion Laura Massaro maintained her impressive record in Philadelphia with a straight-game win over British rival Madeline Perry that was far from straightforward.

Perry, the 35-year-old from Northern Ireland, started well as she opened up a 3-0 lead in the first, but Massaro quickly closed that down to 3-all, and they traded points to reach 5-all. Perry took the next on a stroke but that was her last of the game as six unanswered points from Massaro put her in the lead.

The second was close all the way but again it was the Englishwoman who finished stronger, at 9-all finishing the game with two crisp dropshots off Perry boasts that she read well.

It looked all over for Perry as she fell 6-0 down in the third, but the pace and strength of hitting increased as she worked her way back to one point adrift at 7-8. Again though Massaro found the finishing touches with three points in a row, finishing with a flashing crosscourt beyond the despairing racket of Perry.

“I felt it was really close in the middle of the games,” said Massaro. ” I had to try and stay focused and managed to get a run of points at the end of the first two.

“I started the third really well, keeping it off her volley, but I think I relaxed a bit thinking it was almost over and she fought back really well.

“I had to scrap for it in the end so I’m really pleased to come away with a 3-0 win.”

Raneem squeezes into semi

The second women’s quarterfinal was played at a much faster pace than the first, as it was bound to be with Raneem El Weleily displaying her usual range of shots and Kasey Brown as determined as ever in chasing them down, applying her own pressure and winners too when the Egyptian world number three allowed her to.

The match was characterised by swings of fortune and score throughout.

El Weleily opened up a lead in the first game, saw it eroded as Brown plugged away, then pulled clear from 7-all to take the lead. The lead changed hands several time in the second with Brown leading 6-3, El Weleily getting to gameball 10-9 first, but the Australian reasserting to take it 13-11.

Similar swings in the third game – El Weleily ahead, Brown recovering to earn a single game ball, El Weleily taking the last three points to regain the lead 12-10. The fourth was virtually an instant replay of the previous game, with Raneem losing a lead but managing to claim the last two points and with it a place in the semifinal.

“That was just so up and down,” said a relieved winner, “I could so easily have won or lost all of those games. She was playing well but I never think about what my opponent is doing, it’s always in my head and I sometimes think I’m fighting myself.

“It’s great to be in the semifinal, but now I need to clear my head and make sure I’m more consistent in the next match and not give away leads like I did tonight.”

Matthew dethrones Shabana in a Classic

In a repeat of last year’s U.S. OPen final, second seed Nick Matthew reversed last year’s result against Amr Shabana to prevail in an five-game thriller full of fabulous squash, changes of fortune, thrills and spills that delighted the crowd at Drexel University.

Long story short, Matthew looked impressive as he took the first, always leading for an 11-6 advantage, but Shabana struck back to take the next two games 11-4 and 12-10, coming from behind in the third to take the lead on extra points.

The defending champion, seeded seven but looking as fit and fresh as he ever has, established a 7-4 lead in the fourth, but this time it was the English world champion’s turn to fight back, taking seven of the next nine points to level the match 11-9.

The expected fireworks in the fifth took a while to materialise as Matthew stormed into a 6-1 lead, subduing his opponent and the crowd. Shabana struck back with some brilliant winners, and levelled at 9-all. Matthew moved to match ball on a stroke, then probably wished he hadn’t wasted his video appeal on the first point of the game as he received a let from which he might have expected more.

A fabulous last rally saw both players covering all four corners of the court, Matthew finally leaving Shabana stranded at the front as he punched the ball deep for the winning point. Shabana’s racket made its own way to the back corner in vain pursuit as the players embraced in mutual respect and the crowd rose in appreciation.

“I really don’t know how I did that,” said Matthew after the 92-minute encounter, “the last few points are a bit of a blur, I expected him to get up and and chase that last ball down, he’d been playing so well!

“I knew he would come out strong, the shape he looks to be in has been the talk of the tour, so it wasn’t a surprise that he played so well – hopefully he’ll carry on and move up the rankings so that I don’t have to meet him in the quarter-finals any more!

“At 2-1 and 7-4 I was down and out, but one of the things I pride myself on is being able to work out what needs doing if things aren’t going the way you’d like, and I was able to do that tonight.

“I had a lead in the fifth, but it always felt like I needed one more point to be really safe, Shabs and Ramy can switch the momentum of a match with a single shot, and sure enough he came back and nearly snatched it.

“I was lucky to win that in the end. I’ll take a little time to go through what went wtong and what went right, then think about preparing for the semifinal – I just hope the others have a long one too!

Ashour scrapes into semis

Matthew got his wish for a long match when Ramy Ashour and Peter Barker contested the third Egypt v England quarterfinal, and it was Ashour who prevailed in a nailbiting 13-11 in the fifth finish after 75 minutes.

Barker, aiming for a hat-trick of English wins, took the first game 12-10 aided by numerous unforced errors from Ashour, who was trying to ensure that at least one Egyptian went through from the four who started the quarterfinals.

He took the second and third games 11-5, 11-6 with Barker now struggling to contain his opponent’s mobility and shotmaking.

Ashour held a slender advantage for the majority of the fourth game, but Barker kept plugging away and the Egyptian errors returned with a vengeance as Barker went from 5-7 down to level the match 11-7.

The decider was close all the way, but only from 7-all did the tension really arrive, and how.

Ramy dived in vain for a dropshot, Barker fell after a collision at the front of the court, Ramy found the tin with his favourite backhand volley then buried one deep into the back corner, Peter scored with Ramy’s own favourite shot then volleyed into the tin, Ramy punted the ball down the middle for a stroke and itt was match ball to the Englishman.

Another Ashour drive drive too deep, a Barker volley into the tin and it was match ball to Ramy, who then received a no let which became a let on video appeal. Ramy got another let which Barker appealed on, that became a no let and it was 11-all.

A chopped volley into the nick brought up a second match ball for Ramy, and at the end of a long rally Barker aimed for the nick but his volley clipped the tin and it was all over after 75 minutes, the last 15 of which were pure drama and tension.

“You try to go for nicks but sometimes it doesn’t work so you have to revert to a basic game,” explained the winner.

“I’m really proud of how I managed to win that. He played so well, but t times it looked as though there was something wrong with him, I think he was trying to fool me, and it broke my concentration, but to win such a match gives me a lot of confidence.

“I just didn’t want to go home, that’s the thing,” concluded Ramy.

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Quarterfinals part two

With top seeds Nicol David and James Willstrop already in the last four, set to face Joelle King and Gregory Gaultier in Thursday’s semifinals, tonight’s matches are the bottom half of the draw quarterfinals, with both defending champions in action on the all-glass court at Philadelphia’s Drexel University.

After the women’s semifinals are completed there will be a U.S. Squash Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Bob Callahan.

7pm [2] Nick Matthew (Eng) v [7] Amr Shabana (Egy)

The first men’s match is a repeat of last year’s U.S. Open final between two players who each have almost too many titles to mention.

Matthew’s achievements include 25 PSA titles, two World Opens, three British Opens, two Commonwealth Gold medals, the World Games title, four British National crowns, and he is the reigning champion in all of those plus the Tournament of Champions, Canary Wharf Classic, British Grand Prix, Swedish Open and North American Open.

Not to be outdone Shabana, a year older at 33, can lay claim to 29 PSA titles which include four World Opens, five Hong Kong titles, is the reigning World Series Finals champion and he spent 33 unbroken months as world number one in the middle of the last decade.

Matthew’s spell as top dog is shorter at 16 total months, but more recent as he sat at the summit for the whole of 2011.

They’re both U.S. Open champions of course – Shabana’s six previous appearances brought two titles, in 2010 and 2011, while Matthew has competed in one fewer and has the 2007 title in his locker.

Tonight will be their 21st meeting, all but one in PSA matches, and the advantage lies with the Englishman at 11-9. Some say you’re only as good as your last match, and in this case it was last year’s final here in Philadelphia (although Matthew does lead 5-2 this decade).

Matthew may not have been at peak fitness towards the end of last year’s final and will no doubt have revenge on his mind, while Shabana looks as lean, fit and eager as he ever has, so stand by for a cracking contest.

8pm [4] Ramy Ashour (Egy) v [6] Peter Barker (Eng)

The final match, a third Egypt v England quarterfinal, will see Ramy Ashour, seeded #4 but currently ranked #5, take on Peter Barker, seeded and ranked #6.

Ashour, just turned 25, was the first player to win two World Junior titles, added the senior World Open title in 2008, and already has 24 PSA titles to his name, currently holding the El Gouna and Australian Open titles.

Barker, 29, has claimed 13 PSA titles and has recently made a habit of reaching major semi-finals but has yet to make the big breakthrough, his last wins being in the KL and Santiago Opens of 2009.

This is Barker’s 5th U.S. Open and his third quarterfinal. Ashour has played one less, but has never failed to reach at least the semifinals, losing to Shabana in his sole final appearance in 2010.

The head to head stands 4-2 in the Egyptian’s favor, their latest two meetings, in 2011, being shared with Barker victorious in last December’s PSA Masters.

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