[7] Adrian Waller (ENG) 3-1 Emyr Evans (WAL) 11-4, 13-11, 10-12, 11-6 (56m)
Very interesting to see Adrian playing relaxed and enjoying his squash. Emyr, in front of a supportive crowd, had to contain his emotions as a few of the calls were in my opinion a bit harsh, lets becoming no lets or stroke sometimes. It’s the start of the season for the players, so they might be a bit rusty and move out a bit slower than they should, but I felt that it played a small part in the match.
Still, both players seemed to appreciate each other and the match was played in the good spirit, although a few too many calls spoiled a bit the show.
Excellent start for Adrian, 7/1, 10/3, 11/4 in 8m.
In the second game, things started to warm up, Adrian being up comfy, 5/1, 6/2, but Emyr kept clawing back, forcing Adrian to length a bit the rallies. 9/6, 10/8 for the Englishman, but it would take 4 attempts to finally close the game, 18m, longest game of the match.
Another great battle in the third, Emyr didn’t throw the towel down 2/0, and took the game to Adrian, 3/1, 4/4, 5/5, 77, 8/8, 9/9. A few crucial unforced errors from the English man at that point, and it’s the Welsh that closes it 12/10, Adrian having no match ball. 14m game.
To be noted in that game that Adrian made 8 unforced errors, but was awarded 4 strokes, with only 2 errors from Emyr.
Back in control for Adrian in the 4th, 7/4, Emyr still close as 6/7, but it’s all about the English from that point on, 11/6 in 8m…
Adrian : It’s been a while if we have played against each other. We played quite a few teams events, England, Wales. I know his game but guess it’s different, the England/Wales thing is different to just one on one. So those things change a little bit.
Today, I made a really good start obviously, I just don’t think he was switched on as much as he should have been or could have been. And then he got going.
So I got that second game which actually was probably crucial in the end, I made another good start and he came back during that game so was very close. I had quite a lead and then he really dug his heels in and got back into it. So that’s when the match really started.
I won that, he won the next one, it was close. A few contacts that come with getting into the season as well. I felt good, good enough flow today, but as the season goes on he’ll relax and find his way into it a bit more quickly.
Physically, Okay is good nowadays physically, so ‘I’m Ok!’ as it goes, and we’ll see what happens.
You know, I can manage everything really well at home and when there’s no playing, strangely enough. playing and being away brings a lot of changes, tensions, stress. It’s obviously a lot harder to play matches and tournaments back-to-back days, and the travel and the stress of it all.
It’s not just the stress of the match, it can disrupt sleep, things like that. So you’ve got to just start getting used to those situations again and see how the body reacts when those factors come into it.
Whilst those factors aren’t on there, then I’m great! So playing here, brilliant! Playing next week, a few miles from home in Alexandra Palace, I’ll be even more perfect. Just another 12 tournaments in the area and then I’d be just putting back all the tournaments.
You know, if there’s more squash in England, then players can play more frequently and better because the travel and everything that’s associated with playing matches becomes easier. So, your performances consistently improve with home matches. It’s really important. And you see countries that get behind or little hubs and areas, they can really make some headway. You get good results at home. Home advantage is a thing, we know that.
If only everything was as easy as being at home…
