FINAL:   Australia's Pilley Takes the 2008 ASTI Open.

Australia’s Cameron Pilley saved his stunning best for the final of the 2008 ASTI National Capital Open where he overwhelmed #1 seed LJ Anjema in three straight games.  Pilley started tentatively in the first game and tinned several attacking drops giving Anjema an early 8-3 lead.  In contrast, Anjema appeared comfortable against the early Pilley attack and it looked like he maybe able to nullify the lanky Australian in a way that his previous opponents had been unable to do.  As the play settled in the first, Pilley began to reduce his error rate and lengthen the rallies forcing his opponent to increase the intensity of his attack. Subsequently Anjema began to use more short game including his trademark trickle boast counter drops.  Pilley quickly demonstrated he was up to this challenge using his substantial reach to cope with the short game that LJ’s earlier opponents had struggled with. These retrieving skills proved to be key, robbing Anjema of the opportunity of his favorite scoring options and forcing the Dutchman to ever increasing tightness which eventually raised his mistake rate. Over the three games there was only one drop, a rolling nick, which Pilley did not reach or receive a let on, in an incredible retrieving display. Moreover, on many occasions the drops were too often returned with interest, surprising his opponent and quickly turning defence in to attack  As Pilley’s dominance began to emerge in the second game, he unleashed his own array of shots from mid court, several times hitting unplayable nick drops from tight angles. After grimly holding on in a more closely contested third game, towards the end LJ’s  head dropped slightly as if to signify he had no answer for what he was facing and indeed the end came shortly after.  

After the match Pilley admitted he ‘couldn’t believe how well he was moving and retrieving’ and that he hoped to carry the form through Nova Scotia and on to Toronto.  LJ Anjema’s colorful personality made him very popular with the Washington patrons and he was further gracious in defeat, as he had been all week, suggesting he would be back to do one better next year. Tournament promoters, Rod and Connie Barnes of AussieNick Squash, vowed to work with the National Capital Squash Association and sponsors to provide a bigger and better National Capital Open 2009, with use of a portable glass court a major ambition.

(2) Cameron Pilley (Aus) d LJ Anjema (NED) 11/9,11/3,11/7 (53m)
 

The  $24k ASTI 2008 National Capital Open saw its biggest gallery so far for the tournament as well over one hundred people packed the bleachers on Saturday to watch the top seeds battle their way to the final. First on court were Aussies Cameron Pilley and Aaron Francomb.  Pilley appeared very sharp from the outset striking cleanly and accurately. Both players found some touch on the drops and demonstrated great capability to retrieve up front.  Up until midway through the third there was not much between the two, with Pilley just edging ahead at the end of games to clinch the results. Then the two managed to produce the rally of the tournament when at the end of  an intense exchange Francomb deliberately smashed a backhand crosscourt down the middle of the court and behind the back of  the Pilley who was sweating on the forehand quite close to the front wall. In nothing but pure reflex the 6' 5" Pilley swung the racquet around hitting the ball behind his back with startling power. It took  every bit of Francomb’s speed to recover the ball from the back court, and he duly followed his back wall lob to the front only to be greeted by a deceptive drive come boast that left him dumbfounded and on his heels. To his credit Francomb shut the hooting audience out of his mind, and towards the end of the third actually began to look sharper than he had for the whole match. Conversely Pilley was starting to slow and for a little while it looked as if the smaller Australian could take Pilley to a fourth. It was not to be however as Pilley settled and held on to seal the win.

Meanwhile, it looked pretty routine for tournament top seed LJ Anjema as he rattled up a 2 games to 0  lead. However his opponent Liam Kenny had different ideas and slowly began to turn the tide.  Kenny took the third and then managed to fight out a tense and very closely fought fourth game. At this stage the gallery seemed a little surprised that the  big Dutchman, who had been so dominanty previously,  could  possibly be exiting prematurely.  In the fifth however, all the beautiful touch that Kenny had displayed in the previous games seemed to desert him and LJ appeared particularly focused.  The fifth ended relatively quickly, setting up an exciting prospect with an Anjema – Pilley final.

(2) Cameron Pilley (Aus) d (3) Aaron Francomb (Aus) 7,7,8
(1) LJ Anjema (Ned) d (4) Liam Kenny 8,7,(6), (10/12), 3
 

First Round Main Draw

Round 2 Qualifiers (Wed)

Tom Pashley hung in gallantly against an attacking barrage from Patrick Chifunda, but failed to win a long battle in the second round of the National Capital Open 2008 qualifiers.  Chifunda stormed out of the blocks punishing the ball in the first game as if to unleash pent up energy from his first round bye. As time went on though, it was Pashley’s efficient, working game that began to shine wearing down the Zambian and, much to the delight of the Washington gallery, forcing the match to a fifth set. Early on in the last Pashley appeared to lose the confidence he had found in the 3^rd and 4^th, allowing the ball to the back too often, and in turn permitting Chifunda to regain a foothold in the match.  Just as quickly Chifunda then appeared to hit his own physical wall and this provided a moment for Pashley to regain composure and his volley. In what turned out to be the decisive tactical play Chifunda, somewhat uncharacteristically, slowed the pace of the game and was rewarded by drawing match point. After nearly 90 minutes Chifunda finally triumphed after he sent Pashley the wrong way with a deceptive, trickle boast at the end of a desperate rally.  Pashley’s pleas for a let after an adroit attempt at recovering from the wrong footing went unheeded.

Jens Shoor demonstrated the legitimacy of his high qualifier seeding, holding off a determined Graeme Wilson of New Zealand in straight sets. The playing style of both players was not dissimilar,  and both spend much of their 53 minute game attempting to pin the other deep in the backhand court.  The game was quite physical with both players programmed to assert their authority at the tee. Schoor’s physical presence and ability to routinely  play tight drops off his opponents weaker shots appeared to give the edge he needed, shading Wilson in a long, close entertaining three setter.

Jens Schoor(Ger) d Graeme Wilson(NZl) 11/6, 11/7, 11/8 (53m)
Reggie Schonborn(RSA) d Jacques Swanepoel(RSA) 11/5, 11/7, 11/8  (25m)
Patrick Chifunda(Zam) d Tom Pashley(Eng) 11/6, 13/11, 12/14,10/12,11/8 (81m)
David Vidal(Esp) d Fernando Lopez(Mex) 11/7, 11/3, 6/11, 11/7 (48m)

Jacques Swanepoel (RSA)  and James Snell (UK) fought out a closely contested match at Bethesda Sport and Health squash center,  providing a highlight to the eager audience in the first round qualifiers at the 2008 National Capital Open.  The two players demonstrated a contest of styles, typified by  Swanepoel’s raking backhand power game in contrast with the more finessed strokes and darting movements of  Snell. Swanepoel’s  large frame and firepower tested Snell’s agility and retrieving ability, also resulting in several difficult line ball calls for the referee.  Swanepoel looked weary in the third but gradual built enough second wind momentum through the fourth and last games to edge Snell in 65 minutes of solid contest.   

The competition was more lopsided in the match featuring Gemany’s Jens Schoor and Colin Ramasra of Trinidad. Schoor was very impressive and dominated all domains of the game. Towards the end Schoor pleased the crowd with a series of crash nick volleys as Ramasra wearied under the onslaught.

Jens Schoor  d Colin Ramasra 11/6,11/3,11/3  (27m)
Jacques Swanepoel d James Snell 11/10 (6-4), 11/10(3-1),5/11,9/11,11/8 (65m)
David Vidal d Page Lansdale 11/2,11/2,11/4 (21m)
Fernando Lopez d Rod Barnes 11/6, 11/1,11/2 (17m)
Graeme Wilson d Joe Millman 11/4, 11/5, 11/6 (24m)
Reggie Schonborn d Ian Brown 11/2, 11/3, 11/4 (23m)
Tom Pashley d Johan Bouquet 11/9,11/9,11/4 (50 m)
Patrick Chifunda (bye)