Top seed Spirrizzi win fabulous final
[1] Nick Spizzirri (Usa) 3-2 [3] Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim (Pak) 11-13, 11-1, 11-9, 8-11, 11-5 (67m)This match more than lived up to expectations! Both players started strongly. No quarters were given early in the first game with both players looking to control the mid court. The quality was high and there really was nothing in it all the way to a tie break. Muhammad found a couple of thunderous low dying lengths to close out the game.
Nick responded well at the start of the second and after taking an early lead ran away with the game 11-1. The third was back to being more nip and tuck. Just at the back end of the game a couple of tins from Muhammad proved costly as Nick closed it out 11-9 for a 2-1 lead.
Nick lost his length a touch at the start of the fourth and Muhammad capitalised with more powerful winners to forge a 5-1 lead. Nick got back as close as 8-9 however Muhammad held on to force a fifth game!
The fifth game started at a furious pace with both players bringing a high quality. Nick managed to maintain that pace and sharpness without any unforced errors and also whilst finding a few nice finishes. From 4-4 this allowed him to take four quick points which did the damage. He went on to take the game 11-5… and with that the Championship 3 games to 2!
A huge congratulations to both players on what was a fantastic match and a real treat for our membership!!
We hope you all enjoyed your time in the BVI and we can’t wait to host you again soon!
Semi-Finals :
The first semi final comprised two close friends – Nick Spirrizzi and Tad Carney – who live 10 minutes apart and who attended Primary School together – safe to say they know each others’ games pretty well! There were some long, probing rallies to begin. Albeit the rallies were even for the most part… it was Nick who was slightly better able to ultimately outmaneuver his opponent and find the winning shot. He took a commanding 2-0 lead. Tad came out and played some great squash to take a 9-7 lead in the 3rd. Nick managed to steady the ship though and closed the game out 12-10 and in doing so the match 3-0.
Next up was National Coach Adam Murrills against the young, powerful Pakistani Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim. Adam was fast out of the blocks and quickly crated a 5-1 lead. Muhammad started to find his rhythm though and powered through to take the game 11-8. Muhammad’s power and shot making ability were on show in the 2nd game where he found some great winners. Adam dug deep, managed to more consistently get the ball behind Muhammad, and found some creative winners of his own. Game 11-5. Muhammad came out very strong at the start of the 4th and hit several outright winners. Unfortunately in about the 5th rally Adam sustained an injury to his right leg. After a 3 minute time out he couldn’t quite recover. He attempted to take everything off his left leg… but Muhammad’s hitting quality was tough to handle with 2 fully functioning legs… let alone one!! Muhammad found more winners and cruised through to claim a 3-1 win and a spot in the final!
Final Preview :
Nick has looked solid all week and after a few good recent results in Bermuda and at the US Nationals he’ll be hoping to go all the way herein the BVI. Muhammad is very talented though, and if given the opportunity is capable of causing some serious problems. The crowd is looking forward to an exciting finale to the week!
Quarter-Finals :
As quarter-finals night started Tad Carney produced a very clinical performance only allowing Abhi 7 points in the match. Abhi had some great retrievals… but couldn’t quite match the quality of Tad.
Nick Spizzirri then took to the court against BVI National Champion Joe Chapman. Both players like to dominate the middle of the court… but Nick was able to slightly better control the T position and this allowed him to showcase his attacking qualities. It was a solid performance from Nick and he showed why he’s a very worthy top seed.
National Coach Adam Murrills then took to on Ian Rothweiler. After a tough win last night, Adam was relaxed and played with freedom tonight. He was able to nullify his opponent’s weapons and find some nice winners of his own. He took the match 3-0.
Last up was Charles de la Riva (who’s newly based in the BVI) and Muhammad Huzaifa Ibrahim. Muhammad was on top form in the first two hitting powerfully and finding some great winners! Charles fought back well in the thirdrd and got some joy when he managed to elongate the rallies. Unfortunately for the home crowd… Muhammad managed to close out the third game sealing his spot in the semi finals.
Tomorrow we have what promise to be two great semi finals in store for us!
Round One : A strong showing from the BVI players!
A few late withdrawals due to injuries meant that a few extra BVI players were able to enter the draw. There were lots of tough matches for our local players, however they all gave their best and represented their club and themselves well. Special mention to Jakob Noblett-Diaz who at the young age of 14 played his first ever professional tournament!
Even sweeter for the local contingent was the fact that three of the BVI based players made it through to the Quarter Finals. Joe Chapman beat young compatriot Zevieh Abraham, and then National Coach Adam Murrills and Charles de la Riva delivered upsets against the second seed Salim Khan and the fifth seed Armando Olguin!
Shoutout also to Tad Carney and Taylor Carrick for what was a very entertaining five game battle that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats!
Bring on Quarter Finals night!
