Well he is World Number 2!

Posted 19:41 15 April 2010 in Being a professional squash player

 

Well he is World Number 2! – Chris Fuller Professional Squash Blog

 

 

Having played two and lost two for Benz Bavarian Duffield in the Premier Squash League I was pleased but somewhat surprised to be selected for their play off deciding clash against Esporta Oxford last week. We went into the match third in our group behind Oxford in second and leaders Nottingham knowing that a win would put us second and would qualify us for the playoffs against the Winners of the Southern group.

                                                                                                    

On paper the teams looked evenly matched.

 

            Benz Bavarian Duffield          v       Esporta Oxford                                          1.  Nick Mathew (WR2)          Chris Ryder (WR40)

                   2.  Andy Whipp (FWR64)       Dylan Bennett (WR73)

                   3. Aqueel Rehman (WR130)   Scott Handley (FWR41)

                   4. Chris Fuller (WR268)          Piedro Schweetman (WR101)

                   5. Laura Hill (WR87)               Katherine Quaterman (WR252)

 

With Duffield favourite Nick Mathew out we were confident of a win at number 1. With Stalwart Laura Hill at 5 we were also confident of a win at 5 meaning we needed just one more win from myself, Aqueel or Andy to ensure victory.

 

This win however unfortunately never came!  

 

Laura went on the outside court first at the same time as Aqueel on centre court. Laura quickly wrapped up her expected victory 3-0 but Aqueel just as quickly lost 3-0 as well. All square then!

 

Next up Nick went on centre and I was on the outside court – we’ll let him off as he is England number 1 and World number 2!

 

I had never played Piedro before but had seen him play whilst in Rotterdam as he won the tournament that I had lost first round in! He had also beaten my brother on route fully justify his high ranking – not a good confidence booster. I felt with the pressure off playing on the outside and not expected to win I stood a chance though and so it proved.

 

Whilst everyone else was watching Nick I played some of the best squash of my life taking the first, then the third and eventually only losing 12-10 in the 5th by this time in front of a full balcony (Nick had already won 3-0)!

 

All square again then and now up to Andy to pull it out the bag for us! After he beat Aaron Francomb (WR39) two weeks earlier we had high hopes but they proved futile as he caught a talented Dylan on a very good day and went onto lose 3-0 giving Oxford a 3-2 win and them a place in the playoffs!

 

So disappointment for the whole team and especially for me as I came so close to winning it for the team in what would have been the best result of my life. As Nick said to the sell out crowd at the end ‘We’ll come back stronger next year though’! which went down well with our enthusiastic supporters who I thoroughly enjoyed mixing with on my first home match.

 

After seeing me wearing the same Dunlop hoodie as him after the match he also chirped up with ‘there giving these to anybody these days aren’t they’ which went down less well with me! Again he’s World Number 2 though so we’ll let him off (plus he probably has a point)!