COFFS SQUASH & SWIM CENTRE

Kobayashi and Unseeded Azman takes titles in Coffs Harbour for a place in World Championships

(5) Ryoshei Kobayashi JPN bt (3) Addeen Idrakie MAL 3/1 11/8 12/10 4/11 11/5 (62m)
Aifa Azman MAL bt (1) Vanessa Chu HKG 3/0 11/4 11/7 11/4 (23m)

Ryosei Kobayashi JPN has taken out the Roberts and Morrow North Coast Open in Coffs Harbour with a skilful performance against Addeen Idrakie MAL in four games. The win earns him a place in the World Championships later this year in Qatar.

The opening game had both players prepared to be patient with length creating plenty of long rallies with the score equal for the majority of the game. However, Kobayashi found the corners better to take a 1- 0 lead. The second game saw Idrakie gain a break and looking to square the score at 1-1 but Ryosie showed some amazing court coverage to create chances to win the closing tie break and find himself two games to nil up. Idrakie appeared a little leg weary and no doubt was feeling the effects of tough competition leading into the final, and failing to close out the second game placed himself under a lot of pressure. In the third game his reply was textbook length and precision drops, changing the tempo to nullify attacking opportunities by Kobayashi to close out the game with the loss of four points and find himself back in the contest. The fourth game had both players lengthening the rallies with similar motives before Kobayashi gained the break he needed to place all the pressure on Idrakie who errored and Kobayashi claimed victory in 62 minutes for a place in the World Championship in November.

It was an impressive match by both players with the gallery very appreciative of the agility and quality of play produced by both players. After the final Kobayashi stated” it feels absolutely amazing! I have never felt this happy in my career as a squash player. Thank you so much Coffs Harbour Squash and all the sponsors for this amazing event”

Idrakie put in a sterling effort but wasn’t able to win today. He said, “ Not the result that I want. He played well, credit to him’.

Azman from the outset had clear intension of attacking at every opportunity from the front court. As the game progressed she made some great placements which kept Chu on the defensive and was unable to match the pace Azman was creating. The second and third game proved similar with Chu needing to lift but again, Azman was showing amazing agility and changing direction to close out the game for a two nil lead and take the match in straight games to be crowned winner of the Roberts & Morrow North Coast Open 2019.

After the match Azman said” I’m very happy to win the final match in 3 and qualify to the World Championships. I’ll be playing with Vanessa again next week in Melbourne. Hopefully I’ll do well for the next tournament.”

Vanessa Chu reflected on her opportunity and said” Aifa was on fire today and I was not. I tried my hardest but I couldn’t get stuck into the match. Disappointed to lose 3-0 but I will learn from the next time”

Presentations to the winners were made by Mr Gurmesh Singh MP, State Member for Coffs Harbour and Mr Matt McCulloch, representing principal sponsors Roberts and Morrow, of the PSA Challenger Tour 5 tournament, North Coast Open 2019.

Coffs Coast Sponsorsed event www.coffscoastevents.com.au

Vanessa Chu HK bt Anantana Prasertratanaki THA 11/6 11/2 11/1 (16m)
Katriona Allen SCO bt Colette Sultana MAL 3/2 4/11 11/4 11/13 11/5 11/6 (39m)

Chloe Mesic FRA v Maria Rose Kalafatis AUS 3/0 11/2 11/6 11/3 (15m)