Win #2 takes Chapman into main draw of Pro Squash
Early in the match, Patrick Chifunda (Zambia) had Joe Chapman (VI) on a leash, leading young Chapman around the court from corner to corner. Yet, Chapman managed to stay in the rallies long enough to hit a couple lucky winners and forced some Chifunda tins.
Despite being the lone player breathing heavily, Joe found himself leading 4-0. After taking a deep breath, Joe calmed his nerves and rode that lead to a 11-4 victory in the first game in 10 minutes.
Chifunda came out determined in the second, playing fast, tight, and looking for the volley. In this game, Patrick was finishing off his positive rallies. A quick 3-0 lead steadily grew to 7-4 with a series of vicious drives from the front of the court. Patrick blew Joe back on his heels, always waiting until the last minute to hit straight, cross, or boast. Throw in Patrick’s favorite reverse boast from the front of the court, and he quickly won the second 11-6 in 9 minutes.
The third was much more even. Both players put in a lot of effort, neither exactly controlling the pace. But Joe won the first few points quickly, gaining 3-0 lead in 45 seconds. Using steady, tight length, Joe extended the lead out to 8-4, and then 10-6. But Joe seemed a bit shaky despite owning four games balls. A pair of poor (no offense, Joe) tins took the score to 10-8. Crunch time. The longest rally of the match ensued, with neither player willing to go short.
Finally, Joe played a tight volley drop that Patrick barely retrieved. But his lob to the back hit just out of court, giving the point and game to Joe “Fist Pump” Chapman - 11-8 to Joe in 15 minutes.
And Joe didn’t feel like losing his momentum. He quickly gained a 6-1 lead in the fourth; no errors and steady retrieving. After a few tough rallies also going Joe’s way, he had too much confidence to lose.
The fourth game went to Chapman 11-3 in 9 minutes. The main draw begins today April 27, 2012.
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