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TODAY at the Nationals: Thu 11th,
Day FIVE
Steve Cubbins in Manchester |
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Quarters take one ...
While the masters events continue from noon, the glass court
comes into action from 18.00 with part one of the
quarter-finals, with defending champions Jenny Duncalf and Nick
Matthew both in action.
[3] Madeline Perry bt [5]
Tania Bailey
6/11, 11/6, 11/7, 11/8
(49m)
[1] Jenny Duncalf bt [6] Lauren Briggs
11/5, 11/8, 11/2
(23m)
[4] Adrian Grant bt [7] Jonathan Kemp
5/11, 9/11, 12/10, 12/10,
11/3 (70m)
[1] Nick Matthew bt [5] Alister Walker
11/8, 11/7, 8/11, 11/9 (60m)
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[3] Madeline
Perry bt [5] Tania Bailey
6/11, 11/6, 11/7, 11/8 (49m)
Madeline's birthday present
 It
wasn't until after the match that compere Andy Nickeas revealed
to the audience that today was Madeline Perry's birthday.
He also tried to reveal the statistic that the Irish number one
had lost five of her previous meetings with Tania Bailey, but
Madeline stopped him in his tracks, she already knew that one.
"Maybe that's one of the reasons I was so determined on there
tonight," she explained, "and also because after doing so well
in the British Open I think of this as my special court and I
want to do well on it."
After dropping the first game she needed to be. Bailey moved
ahead from 4-all to 10-5 and quickly took the lead, but the
pattern was repeated in reverse in the next game as Perry
levelled.
The next two games were both well contested, mainly from the
back of the court it has to be said, Perry always holding a
slender lead in the third, and finishing strongly from 7/8 down
in the fourth to move into her third Nationals semi.
"I find it tough to play Tania," she said afterwards, "so I knew
I needed to stick in, try to keep her under pressure but play a
basic game, I tend to get drawn into her game too easily."
She didn't, and maybe on her 'special court' it's time for her
to make a first final ... |
"I hate to keep on going on about my injury, but the main thing
tonight is that Madeline played really well - she was on top
form and even at my best I would have found it difficult.
"I just wasn't used to playing at that pace - it's mainly my
confidence. I just didn't feel comfortable on that court.
"I definitely enjoyed the match - but there are so many things
to work on.
"I so much want to say that I'm feeling good and playing well -
but my body isn't quite quick enough. However, there are more
positives to be taken out of the match than negatives!"
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[4] Adrian
Grant bt [7] Jonathan Kemp
5/11, 9/11, 12/10,
12/10, 11/3 (70m)
Adrian has the last laugh
It was almost as though last weekend in Edinburgh Adrian Grant
had been practicing for situations like this. Top seed in
Scotland, he came from behind in pretty much every match to take
the title, and that experience seemed to pay off tonight.
 Jonathan
Kemp was quick off the mark, as he usually is, taking the first
game 11/5 in a flash. We had the usual mixture of winners and
tins and he went for his shots, and most of them were coming
off.
From 1/4 down in the second Grant started to find his feet,
started to control the rallies rather than react to what his
opponent was doing. But it was just too late to stop Kemp from
taking a 2/0 lead.
Kemp went quickly to 3/1 in the third, but once Grant levelled
at 3-all he was never to be headed again. Not that he was able
to establish a good lead in the third or fourth games, Kemp kept
in touch, came from 10/7 down in the third and 10/8 down in the
fourth to take it to extra points, Grant taking them both 12/10.
It was no backcourt battle this, it was fast, at times furious,
both willing to take the ball in short and both sometimes
reaping dividends, sometimes being caught out.
But come the fifth it was all Adrian. He was in control now,
Jonathon's tins weren't being matched by winners, and Adrian was
quickly into his fourth Nationals semi-final in a row ...
Jonathan will have to wait for his first ...
"The standard's very high, Kempy's ranked in the twenties so
there's no easy games at this stage," said a relieved winner.
"I couldn't find my rhythm for the first game and a half, but
that was Kempy not letting me settle. I got into it later on,
but it was never easy, we were both looking to take control of
the middle and hunting the volley.
"It was maybe a bit scrappy, but I'll take a scrappy win ..."
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[1] Jenny
Duncalf bt [6] Lauren Briggs
11/5, 11/8, 11/2 (23m)
Jenny changes gear
While defending champion Jenny Duncalf never looked in serious
danger, it took her a while before she was able to shrug off
Lauren Briggs, who hung onto her coat-tails for half of the
first game and most of the second, but couldn't manage to get
her nose in front.
But as soon as the third started Jenny showed the form that took
her to world number two with a succession of titles and back to
back wins over Nicol David. Racing to an 8/0 lead, the match was
effectively over before Lauren managed to get into the rallies
again and pull a couple of points back, but it was too late by
then.
 "It's
great to be back in a tournament again, it feels like a long
time since the last event. It's good to get back onto this court
too, although it took me a while to get accustomed to it,
especially the lighting.
"I couldn't have hoped for a better end to 2009, the main thing
is to try to keep that going and push on from there if I can.
"I've got a tough semi-final coming up against Madeline, we
always seem to meet in this tournament so I'm looking forward to
another one."
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"That's three tournaments in a row
now where I've lost 12/10 in the fifth to Shabana, had chances
against James, and now this one where I had chances again
against the world number two.
"Hopefully I'm going to get one soon, I just have to get some
consistency.
"I belong on the court with these guys now, I'm as good as them,
I just need to believe I can beat them.
"It's exciting, but frustrating ..."
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[1] Nick
Matthew bt [5] Alister Walker
11/8, 11/7, 8/11, 11/9 (60m)
Double Annoying
 The
crowd at Sportcity loved this match, with two of England's best
going at each other hammer and tong, but it must have been
frustrating for both players.
For Nick Matthew, annoying that he was playing well, but
couldn't shake off his determined opponent. For Alister Walker,
annoying that once again he came so close to a big upset -
especially after an especially tough match yesterday - but once
again fell just short.
They were both playing well, Nick cutting and snapping in those
volleys like he does, Alister retrieving brilliantly and
responding with some crisp winners of his own. Several times
they stood in the centre of court, snapping shots back at each
other like lightning until one or the other gave.
Nick was always ahead, just in each of the first two games, but
from 6-all in the second Alister took the initiative. They both
led in the fourth, Nick 8/6, Alister 9/8. Alister put a volley
into the tin to bring Nick level, who then smashed two balls
away deep to settle matters.
"We play the same match every week in practice, I win the first
two games and he wins the third - so I'm used to it. I told my
Dad I didn't want that to happen again tonight, so I was quite
annoyed at dropping that third again.
"He's too good now. He's feisty, and I was struggling in parts
of the game. Players like Ali are coming to their peak so it
gets harder and harder."
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