ALAN'S BLOG: TUESDAY AS IT HAPPENED

First match up today is Simon Rosner against Chris Ryder. Two very evenly matched players.

Ryder builds a 5-2 lead in the opening game but Rosner steadily works his way back into it to win 11-8, Ryder tinning his final shot on game ball after some prolonged pressure down the backhand line.

The second game is the reverse.  Rosner leads 5-1 but Ryder produces a sustained spell of tight squash down both walls, giving Rosner nothing to hit. The German asks for a let on a tight backhand, but the TMO Review flashes up the big NO LET on the giant screen.

It's one game all.

The third game swings the other way as Rosner straightens up, tightens up and controls it all the way through. He leads two games to one.

Rosner continues to stay in front throughout the fourth game and books his place in the quarter-finals.


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A good crowd is already in, nice and early. Welcome to Hadley Neale from The Mote, where we are holding the Kent Open and Kent Squash Festival from May 24-29.  Keep schmoozing, Hadley, in bring in some more sponsors!

Another two grand should cover it!

You might be able to outbid Jonny Powell for the local spot in qualifying (once I get you on that spinach diet!)

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Lots of debate about the TV Review system, most of it positive.

Thanks to Graham Waters for his contribution last night, making some solid and salient points.

As a long-time advocate of the system, I will say this: We are asking referees to make split-second decisions in one of the fastest sports on the planet, where both players want occupy the same space on the court.


No racket sport with a net dividing the players presents such difficulties for players and referees. Allowing officials extra time to consider the review will present the opportunity to avoid or correct mistakes. This system is designed to help the referees, NOT undermine them. It will also help to reduce the often-ugly confrontations between referees and players, which tarnish the image of the sport.

I am sure there will be many debates and much fine tuning along the way as the trial continues, but I am convinced it is a significant development in the promotion of the sport.

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Gregory Gaultier v Olli Tuominen

Tuominen starts strongly and leads 8-3 but Gaultier gradually overhauls him to dominate the closing stages as Olli loses his width and length.

Two TV appeals by Greg. One decision upheld and one overturned.

Gaultier controls the second game and enjoys another mini-success with a successful TV review that awards him a stroke. He maintains control throughout the third game to win 11-8, 11-6, 11-4 in 42 minutes.

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Greg obviously enjoyed the TV Review system. It saved him from wasting all the energy he normally burns up debating issues with referees.

He likes the jumbo screen so much he fancies one for the wall of his apartment in Paris.


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Music debate: Last night we had the Pink Panther music for the TV Reviews and tonight we have the awful organ tune used in American ice hockey, baseball and basketball matches.

Squash photographer Steve Line has suggested Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon.

Any other suggestions?

Andy Cunis from Essex says: "What about the Jaws theme?"

Anon from Kent says: "How about Chumbawumba? I get knocked down, but I get up again?"

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Third match on at 8pm: Nick Matthew v Borja Golan

Quote of the week so far from referee Jos Aarts.

Two video referrals from Nick Matthew in the first game. After his second was upheld, Nick was told he had no more reviews in that game. When he asked why he couldn't keep it, referee Jos Aarts replied: "This is a real sport - it's not tennis."

Both players produced solid, constructive rallies, both looking for the loose ball to attack. It was Matthew who showed the better accuracy and consistency, winning 11-8, although Golan won applause with a superb crosscourt drop.

Nick steps up the pace in the second to power home 11-2.

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Final match 9pm: Daryl Selby v Tom Richards

Huge first game ... 11-11 in the tiebreak ...Richards wins it 13-11 after 22 minutes.

It's brutal stuff and Selby has twice pushed his opponent out of the way.

Selby looks more focused and wins the second game11-9. Richards plays erratically in the third, hitting some nice winners but too often spraying loose balls over the court. Selby wins it 11-7 to go 2-1 ahead.

An amazing fourth game ..... Selby leads 10-7 match ball but Richards produces a phenomenal fightback to take the game to a tiebreak and wins it 16-14. An array of stunning shots by Richards included a backhand volley kill into the front right nick and a floated forehand drop shot across the tin into the opposite nick. Amazing stuff. Two games all and it's almost 10.45pm

The TMO is busy all the way and it's gonna be a late one ...

After 97 minutes Daryl Selby eclipses an astonishing fightback from Tom Richards to win 11-9 in the fifth. He leads 10-3 in the fifth but Richards launches a truly phenomenal fightback to win six points in a row, with another backhand volley nick the highlight, before Selby finally crosses the finishing line.

"That was the ideal way to prepare to face the world champion less than 24 hours later," he said.