By Dave Johnson
The glass court in Williamstown, MA? Who would have thought?! One year…maybe…as a novelty… but now, two years running?
The 2010 Berkshire Open, brought to you by the people at True North Financial Services and the grand squash impresario, Zafrir Levy, once again succeeded beyond wildest expectations—on the court, for the gallery and at the gate. Raising $10,000 for Urban Squash and pairing with the Silver Nationals held next door over the same weekend at the Carol & Cynthia Simon Squash Center, this year’s edition brought world class squash—and the glass court—to Williams College for the week of April 6-11th.
And, how fitting that between semi matches on Saturday evening, Greg Zaff, the founder of all things Urban Squash and the legendary SquashBuster himself, was recognized in front of a full house for his untiring dedication and missionary zeal in launching, and then growing, his Boston-based, 1996-concept into what it has become today: nine charter-member organizations in eight cities with two more definitely on the way and four more in the planning stages, all-together comprising The National Urban Squash and Education Association (NUSEA) which was founded in 2005 to promote squash and education among urban youth. But, most importantly, how great for Zaff to be lauded and applauded as a former Eph (what’s an Eph?)—Williams College class of 1984!
As for the squash…a spectacular final, pairing the top seeds and world numbers No. 13—Alister Walker, against world No. 17—Stewart Boswell, who had both arrived unscathed and relatively untested for their Sunday afternoon showdown.
Boswell was particularly fresh after a routine first-rounder with Canadian, David Phillips, who was forced to retire after two games with an ankle injury which he had been nursing for the past two weeks; was way too good for Frenchman and world-ranked No. 55 Julien Balbo in a routine 30 minute quarter; and then subdued unseeded and always-difficult-to-handle qualifier, Shawn Delierre, who was unable to orchestrate another upset. Delierre had a great tourney run that began with two wins in the qualifier, then an upset of world ranked No. 63 Jan Koukal in the first round and an impressive, though contentious, upending of world ranked No. 30, Miguel Angel Rodriquez, this event’s No. 3 seed, in the quarters. And, for Boswell, long battling back issues that have taken him from near the top of the game at No. 4 to two years out of the game and now near the top again (including a tournament win here in 2006), this would be a chance to start his planned hiatus from the tour to be a new father in the best possible way!
Walker’s path to the finals was a bit more challenging. He defeated Williams College’s adopted home town hero, Ryan Thomson (who has been on campus this winter working with Levy and the men’s & women’s squash teams) in three games; held off the charge of aspiring pro-tourer and recent UPenn graduate, Gily Lane, in an exciting four game quarter in which he was down a game and at 8-all in the second before turning up the heat; and then played nearly flawless squash in defeating fourth seed, Joey Barrington, in straights. The 27-year-old has enjoyed a spectacular six month run, reaching a career-high world of No. 12 ranking in September, and entered the final a heavy favorite given his three game beat-down of Stewart the last time they played.
The contrast in styles was readily apparent from the first point on, as the fluid, graceful, lithe movement of Walker matched up evenly against the tall, lanky, angularity of Stewart: one player darting, stretching and dodging around the court; and the other, holding the T at all costs—stretching or volleying to cut the ball off—only going to the back wall when Walker’s rails were as tight as wallpaper (and they often were!) or if his cross-court angle carried the ball just out of reach.
And, the stroke production? Superb for both—but quite different. Walker’s supple wrist—his grip as loose as can be and still hold the racquet (just with his fingers!), cradling and carving the ball like an artist with his brush. And, Stewart—a strong hand, wielding the racquet with the precision of a surgeon’s scalpel—the racquet head a pendulum swinging identically through its path, time-after-time.
Game one to Stewart in overtime, 12-10. The play was back and forth; an early 5-2 Boswell lead disappeared quickly to 5-5 and from that point, the two traded back and forth points all the way to 12-10. Game two was all Walker, with his movement now up-tempo and his touch producing lovely, soft straight-drops and tantalizing lobs way up there! It seemed as if he had found the answer to Stewart’s position and precise ball control; the twisting and turning taking its toll on Boswell’s ability to recover his balance quickly enough to move for the next ball. An 11-2 wipe-out—in just a matter of minutes!—looked to have turned the tide in Walker’s favor.
But, then? Two relatively routine games—and the title!—to Boswell, 11-7, 11-4. What was the difference? A subtle one of tempo and control to be sure. Perhaps just a slight tinge of fatigue for Walker; and, for certain, crisp, beautifully weighted rails for Boswell—nearly every ball to perfect length or width. Each point following a similar script: Boswell gradually pushing Walker farther and farther out of position until a well-executed straight drop or drive would put the finishing touch on the point. A chess master closing carefully and calculatingly for mate by playing to a succession of checks.
From the quarters onward, the event played to a packed house—including the newly arrived by-way-of Johns Hopkins, Williams President, Adam Falk, and his merry band of Williams Trustees on Friday night—so the Berkshire Open has taken a firm hold on the Williams squash community and seems to have found a permanent home on the glass court, beautifully installed in Chandler Gymnasium with a walk-through trade and concessionaire market surrounding. True North and Vice-President Rob Abel have been on board for the six year run of the event, and with Tournament Director Levy at the helm, the Berkshire Open has already set its sights on a $30,000 event next year.