Impressions of the Hong Kong Open and Facing Nicol David by Sam Cornett December 10, 2013
Here is a big old update on yours truly, at the recent HK Open.
I arrived nice and
early, 6 days in fact, which was an amaaazing idea. Sleep is way
easier when you're not lying there willing yourself to sleep!!
Travelling from TO to HK is a mission, and jetlag can kick anyone's
butt. But I nipped it in the bud. Secret to this was: no
naps!!
I trained with the
girls at the HK Institute of Sport for a few days (thanks for having
me!!), before switching over to the tournament venue, the HK Squash
Centre. The courts at the two places played similarly, however,
the Squash Centre was an ice box! So that took some getting used
to, as well as two or three extra layers. And a scarf.
I was pleased to have
felt quite prepared going in to the qualifying. My body felt
fresh and I think I had eased into it just right.
First round was against Vanessa Chu of HK. I hadn't seen her play before and wasn't sure what to expect.
By halfway through the
first game, I thought it was going to be over in a jiffy. My
mistake! Her errors turned into winners as she settled in, and I
struggled to get the ball past her and to pick up her boasts. I
am very happy to have won this match, by the fourth I tried to relax
and step it up a notch (if that makes sense) but never really felt in
total control. Her errors helped me out here and there!
More than mine helped her. I won this encounter 3-1. You
can see my excellent technique below....
Melody Francis and I
battled for a spot in the main draw. I won the first game,
although it was a close one, and then it slipped away from me with
great shots and space-taking from her, and a lot of loose balls and
tins from me. Honestly, I'm not sure why or how she let me back
in here! I realized by the 4th game that I had nothing to lose,
and all I could do was take it one point at a time. I totally
relaxed, and voila! There was my squash game again. I found
it, I found it! I also think my new approach stressed her out, as
it turned the pressure around on her, and she made a boat load of
mistakes for me. It's not Christmas just yet Mel!! 3-2 for
me.
The psychology of squash is incredible.
Which was also evident
in my next round, as I had the good fortune to draw Nicol David,
million-time world champion, and long time world no 1.
It is amazing to watch
people beat themselves, as Nicol systematically, consistently, and
relentlessly works them around the court. And suddenly I wasn't
watching it, I was experiencing it. This is the first time I've
played her. And now I'm itching for it to happen again!
Her composure under
pressure (the bit that I put her under), is impeccable. In a
position where I would spray the ball, she would simply solidly punch
it to the back of the court. Maybe it's not a winner (though many
times it is), but it is a solid shot that turns her opponent from being
on the attack to playing fetch. Which is extremely disheartening
and made me want to go for a better and better shot, putting more
pressure on myself than was necessary. The difference for me
between playing tense squash and playing free squash is like night and
day. So you can see how much effect my psychological state has on
my game!
Anyway, it was an
extremely enjoyable match, she won 3-0. But I didn't feel
disheartened by this 3-0. We had some brilliant rallies, I made
some really annoying mistakes. But I had periods where I felt in
control, which I didn't expect, and I loved it!
Props to Nicol for
winning the tournament, her 9th straight win in HK, for her
record-tying 90th WSA World Tour final appearance, and for just being
awesome.
