Just a quick update. The January rankings were published today and I've moved up 18 places to 65 which is obviously really positive! Hopefully I can continue to rise throughout 2012 and get into some of the bigger tournaments.
I wish all my family, friends and followers a happy Christmas and I hope 2012 is everything you wish for and more.
SJ x
P.S. My next event is the Warwickshire County closed 14/15 Jan and my next WSA event is the Edinburgh Open 27-29 Jan
Friday, 23 December 2011
Monday, 19 December 2011
Manor Open (Ilkeston) Final
Today in the final I played Tania Bailey. We both played well in patches, however our movement patterns were clashing so there were plenty of lets. Tania took the first and third games, I took the second and then I managed to claw my way back from match ball down in the 4th to take the game 12-10 and the match into a deciding 5th game. It was clear from the start of the 5th Tania was struggling and unfortunately after 75 minutes of play she was forced to retire with a knee injury when I was leading 8-5. I sincerely hope Tania makes a speedy recovery.
Obviously this is not how I would have liked to have taken my first title but hopefully it will be the first of many. Now I'm going to have a week off before getting a good block of training in for the majority of January. My next block of tournaments will be starting with the Edinburgh Open right at the end of January.
Obviously this is not how I would have liked to have taken my first title but hopefully it will be the first of many. Now I'm going to have a week off before getting a good block of training in for the majority of January. My next block of tournaments will be starting with the Edinburgh Open right at the end of January.
Sunday, 18 December 2011
Manor Open (Ilkeston) Day 1 & 2
The last WISPA event EVER! (WISPA will become WSA - Women's Squash Association as of Jan 1st)
This is also my last event before Christmas so there is definitely some extra incentive to do well!
The tournament started on Friday evening. I was up against Cheyna Tucker from South Africa who I also played in the first round in London just a couple of weeks ago. The first 2 games I made too many silly errors but managed to scrape them. In the 3rd I cut out most of the errors and controlled the 'T' much better taking the game 11-4 and the match 3-0.
Next up was Julianne Courtice in the quarter finals. We played each other many times in Juniors and although I have never lost to her, I knew that I would have to be focussed right from the start as she is dangerous when given a loose ball. For the majority of the match I controlled the 'T' well and was attacking at the right times. Lapses in concentration let me back in at times so I was glad to take the 3rd game 14-12 and get off court in 3.
This was particularly important as there was 2 matches yesterday (Saturday). In the semi final I played Laura Hill who I have played several times before, but never beaten. She is a solid player who like to volley and move you out of position. In the first game she kept the ball very tight and I struggled to keep a consistent length, allowing her to attack my short balls effectively. She took the first game 11-8.
In the second, I made a concious decision to slow the pace down. I worked the rallies much better, waiting for opportunities to attack with minimal risk. I pushed forward, putting pressure on her length and as she started to tire her length dropped slightly, allowing me to create more opportunities. I took the next 3 games 11/6 11/4 and 11/6 and the match 3-1.
Very glad to win and be in my 2nd WISPA tour final since turning pro in August. I am playing Tania Bailey in the final today at 3pm. It will be very tough but I will be up for it and will give all I can in search of my first tour title.
You can follow the coverage on Squash Site
This is also my last event before Christmas so there is definitely some extra incentive to do well!
The tournament started on Friday evening. I was up against Cheyna Tucker from South Africa who I also played in the first round in London just a couple of weeks ago. The first 2 games I made too many silly errors but managed to scrape them. In the 3rd I cut out most of the errors and controlled the 'T' much better taking the game 11-4 and the match 3-0.
Next up was Julianne Courtice in the quarter finals. We played each other many times in Juniors and although I have never lost to her, I knew that I would have to be focussed right from the start as she is dangerous when given a loose ball. For the majority of the match I controlled the 'T' well and was attacking at the right times. Lapses in concentration let me back in at times so I was glad to take the 3rd game 14-12 and get off court in 3.
This was particularly important as there was 2 matches yesterday (Saturday). In the semi final I played Laura Hill who I have played several times before, but never beaten. She is a solid player who like to volley and move you out of position. In the first game she kept the ball very tight and I struggled to keep a consistent length, allowing her to attack my short balls effectively. She took the first game 11-8.
In the second, I made a concious decision to slow the pace down. I worked the rallies much better, waiting for opportunities to attack with minimal risk. I pushed forward, putting pressure on her length and as she started to tire her length dropped slightly, allowing me to create more opportunities. I took the next 3 games 11/6 11/4 and 11/6 and the match 3-1.
Very glad to win and be in my 2nd WISPA tour final since turning pro in August. I am playing Tania Bailey in the final today at 3pm. It will be very tough but I will be up for it and will give all I can in search of my first tour title.
You can follow the coverage on Squash Site
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Boston BSPA
Just a quick post. Played in the Boston BSPA tournament yesterday. Disappointing amount of entries for the women's draw- just 6 after a couple had to withdraw through injury!
I started slowly (some might say very) in my first match against England number 2 junior Katie Smith but managed to get through reasonably comfortably in the end 3-1. My 2nd match was effectively the semi final and it was against my fellow Warwickshire team mate and world number 22 Emma Beddoes who has had some very good results recently. I got my tactics wrong in the first but played much more intelligent squash in the 2nd and 3rd, which were much closer at 11-8 each. So unfortunately I lost 3-0 but definitely seeing improvements which is encouraging for the Ilkeston WISPA tournament, starting this Friday where I am second seed.
Song of the Day: Anything by Little Mix!!!
I started slowly (some might say very) in my first match against England number 2 junior Katie Smith but managed to get through reasonably comfortably in the end 3-1. My 2nd match was effectively the semi final and it was against my fellow Warwickshire team mate and world number 22 Emma Beddoes who has had some very good results recently. I got my tactics wrong in the first but played much more intelligent squash in the 2nd and 3rd, which were much closer at 11-8 each. So unfortunately I lost 3-0 but definitely seeing improvements which is encouraging for the Ilkeston WISPA tournament, starting this Friday where I am second seed.
Song of the Day: Anything by Little Mix!!!
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
PSL Birmingham Uni vs Oxford
Tonight I played Madeline Perry in Premier Squash League at Birmingham University. Although she has dropped in the world rankings this month it was only to number 4, so I knew I would have my work cut out to make an impression on the game!
The first game was a bit frantic but was pretty level up until about 7 all. Unfortunately silly errors let me down and I lost the game 11-8. After a change of shoes I came back on for the 2nd and was playing pretty well. However, Madeline was getting onto any loose ball so early and punishing me. She took the 2nd in a repeat scoreline of the 1st. In the 3rd I imposed myself on the game much better, keeping a great length and attacking at the right times. I raced to a 10-2 lead, cutting out the errors from previous games, before closing out the game 11-3.
The 4th was a bit of a battle; I was struggling to find the same consistent length as the 3rd and she was giving me less attacking opportunities. She played some good squash to go 8-6 up and from then on my shot selection from attacking positions was bizarre to say the least, allowing Madeline to control the front. You can't give the world number 4 easy balls and expect to win!
So I went down in 4 games but definitely had her worrying at times. A lot of positives to take from this match and hopefully if I can cut my errors down and keep my discipline in the future, I can get a win against one of the top girls rather than just a game! Onwards and upwards!
Song of the Day: Adele- Rumour Has It
The first game was a bit frantic but was pretty level up until about 7 all. Unfortunately silly errors let me down and I lost the game 11-8. After a change of shoes I came back on for the 2nd and was playing pretty well. However, Madeline was getting onto any loose ball so early and punishing me. She took the 2nd in a repeat scoreline of the 1st. In the 3rd I imposed myself on the game much better, keeping a great length and attacking at the right times. I raced to a 10-2 lead, cutting out the errors from previous games, before closing out the game 11-3.
The 4th was a bit of a battle; I was struggling to find the same consistent length as the 3rd and she was giving me less attacking opportunities. She played some good squash to go 8-6 up and from then on my shot selection from attacking positions was bizarre to say the least, allowing Madeline to control the front. You can't give the world number 4 easy balls and expect to win!
So I went down in 4 games but definitely had her worrying at times. A lot of positives to take from this match and hopefully if I can cut my errors down and keep my discipline in the future, I can get a win against one of the top girls rather than just a game! Onwards and upwards!
Song of the Day: Adele- Rumour Has It
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
Liz Jones: Who are you?
I have just read this Daily Mail article written by Liz Jones that has been flooding my twitter timeline for the last couple of hours 'Sinewy arms are NOT a good thing - and neither is sport'
Liz Jones: Daily Mail columnist. Interesting fact: Stole her ex-husbands sperm to try and get pregnant (bye bye credibility)
I will start by saying I too have arms that you don't get unless you play sport and in my opinion they show to someone on the outside how much work I have put it and anyone that says they are repulsive obviously has no respect or understanding of athletes and how much we put our bodies through striving to be the best.
I am utterly shocked that Daily Mail ran this story; the author obviously has no clue about sport at any level, but in particular elite sport. For someone whose favourite lesson at school was always P.E. of course I am going to defend it's necessity in the curriculum. In my view without exposure to sports, children cannot see their brilliance or reward to be deemed. How many world class athletes might have never realised they were talented without being given the opportunity to try different activities?
There are so many life skills that are to be learnt from school P.E. Team sports force cohesion between individuals and groups who have not chosen the situation, mimicking how working in the real world is more often that not. As part of a team you have a role and the other members of your team are relying on you to fulfil this and support them in their role also.
In an era where Britain is one of the most overweight nations in the world, promoting exercise had to be a priority. Too many young people see the only way to lose weight as dieting, but as the author points out herself in another recent article (The price I'm paying for hating my body) that this is dangerous and has serious consequences to long term health. I am in no way encouraging unhealthy eating, just a balanced diet containing enough calories, fats and vitamins/minerals for our body to function as it is intended to. Exercise is such an important component to a healthy lifestyle and it's saddening to hear someone with a voice, that could be heard so widely, condemning ALL sport due to their own bad experiences in school and their dislike of women who break the stick thin ideal of today's world.
My next erk is when she suggests athletes should 'spent their time more productively: reading perhaps, or studying maths'. What would I get out of studying maths? I already have a numerate degree...oh, she thought we were all stupid and couldn't possibly be intellectual (academia is not the only stream of intelligence either). If she were to take the time to talk to any athletes before writing this ill informed article, she would have found the majority of athletes do things outside of sport to stimulate them mentally. Whether this be to read, have an interest in politics, the arts, world affairs...the list is endless but shows we are not the apes she makes us out to be.
I am not even going to discuss whether or not female athletes should want to look like Fatima Whitbread; most current athletes strive for muscular tone like that let alone one who has been retired so many years and that leaves no discussion on that point.
Overall, I think Liz Jones should steer clear from writing about topics she clearly knows nothing about and stick to the entertainment she usually writes about. Although from comments on this article (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2070029/X-Factor-2011-scenes-LIZ-JONES-goes-inside-X-Factory.html) it doesn't seem people think she knows much about that either.
Maybe the Daily Mail might see the err in it's ways and think twice before publishing such derogatory and ill informed articles in the future...we can only hope!
Liz Jones: Daily Mail columnist. Interesting fact: Stole her ex-husbands sperm to try and get pregnant (bye bye credibility)
I will start by saying I too have arms that you don't get unless you play sport and in my opinion they show to someone on the outside how much work I have put it and anyone that says they are repulsive obviously has no respect or understanding of athletes and how much we put our bodies through striving to be the best.
I am utterly shocked that Daily Mail ran this story; the author obviously has no clue about sport at any level, but in particular elite sport. For someone whose favourite lesson at school was always P.E. of course I am going to defend it's necessity in the curriculum. In my view without exposure to sports, children cannot see their brilliance or reward to be deemed. How many world class athletes might have never realised they were talented without being given the opportunity to try different activities?
There are so many life skills that are to be learnt from school P.E. Team sports force cohesion between individuals and groups who have not chosen the situation, mimicking how working in the real world is more often that not. As part of a team you have a role and the other members of your team are relying on you to fulfil this and support them in their role also.
In an era where Britain is one of the most overweight nations in the world, promoting exercise had to be a priority. Too many young people see the only way to lose weight as dieting, but as the author points out herself in another recent article (The price I'm paying for hating my body) that this is dangerous and has serious consequences to long term health. I am in no way encouraging unhealthy eating, just a balanced diet containing enough calories, fats and vitamins/minerals for our body to function as it is intended to. Exercise is such an important component to a healthy lifestyle and it's saddening to hear someone with a voice, that could be heard so widely, condemning ALL sport due to their own bad experiences in school and their dislike of women who break the stick thin ideal of today's world.
My next erk is when she suggests athletes should 'spent their time more productively: reading perhaps, or studying maths'. What would I get out of studying maths? I already have a numerate degree...oh, she thought we were all stupid and couldn't possibly be intellectual (academia is not the only stream of intelligence either). If she were to take the time to talk to any athletes before writing this ill informed article, she would have found the majority of athletes do things outside of sport to stimulate them mentally. Whether this be to read, have an interest in politics, the arts, world affairs...the list is endless but shows we are not the apes she makes us out to be.
I am not even going to discuss whether or not female athletes should want to look like Fatima Whitbread; most current athletes strive for muscular tone like that let alone one who has been retired so many years and that leaves no discussion on that point.
Overall, I think Liz Jones should steer clear from writing about topics she clearly knows nothing about and stick to the entertainment she usually writes about. Although from comments on this article (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2070029/X-Factor-2011-scenes-LIZ-JONES-goes-inside-X-Factory.html) it doesn't seem people think she knows much about that either.
Maybe the Daily Mail might see the err in it's ways and think twice before publishing such derogatory and ill informed articles in the future...we can only hope!
Saturday, 3 December 2011
Coronation London Open
Yesterday was the first round of the Coronation London Open held at the Cumberland Club. I was seeded 7th in the draw and up against a qualifier. The qualifier I drew was Cheyna Tucker from South Africa, who I hadn't seen play since juniors but she had beaten some good players to qualify so I knew I would have to concentrate from the off! It was a patchy match in the end with lots of errors from both of us and I was glad to come back from 10-4 down in the 3rd to take it 16-14 and get off in 3.
Today I played Tania Bailey in the quarter finals. Again I wasn't too sure what to expect; obviously with a highest world ranking of 4 she is a class player but she has been out with injury and illness for quite a while. I started the match well taking an 8-3 lead before errors crept into my game. The court was so hot and the ball so bouncy that it was difficult for either of us to create an opening as neither of us were confident going short. Unfortunately a few too many errors and I had dug myself a pretty big hole going 2-0 down (11-9, 11-9). Tania started the better in the 3rd hitting tight drives on both wings and keeping me in the back corners. I had a mini recovery to get back to 6-10 but unfortunately that was it for me, going down in 3.
Slightly disappointed with how I coped with the hot conditions today but Tania played better on the day so she deserved the win. My next tournament is the Boston Open BSPA next weekend but before that on Tuesday is PSL against Oxford against Madeline Perry which will be a great experience as I have yet to play her.
Song of the Day: Jimmy Eat World - Chase This Light
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