Has Anyone Seen Ramy?

He is just 21 years old, after all, and our new champion showed his youth when he vanished shortly after the match ended, which made for an interesting two-tier awards ceremony. Nick Matthew came out and was extremely gracious in defeat, hitting all the right notes in his brief post-match comments, thanking the sponsors and praising the tournament organizers. 

Said the runner-up from Sheffield, England, "It was great that everyone got behind both of us. Thank you very much for your support, it made it a pleasure to play."

Ashour was eventually found, and made his apologies for his tardiness to the awards ceremony. He first thanked his opponent and joked that he never thought the match would go so long. He then said, "I’m really happy winning this match. I think I’m back on track and have my confidence back."

So Ramy Ashour is your 2009 Davenport North American Open champion, winning 11-8, 13-11, 10-12, 5-11, 11-8 in 91 minutes.

Thanks for being with us these past few days on the official tournament blog... we'll look forward to seeing you again next year for the 7th edition of what has become the 2nd largest squash tournament in North America.

Good night from Richmond...

And Your Champion is...

...#3 seed Ramy Ashour of Egypt, by scores of 11-8, 13-11, 10-12, 5-11, 11-8 in 91 minutes of scintillating squash. His touch was the difference in the end, as he continued to relentlessly apply pressure on Nick Matthew in the front court, including on the last point of the match, when another Ashour drop landed just beyond the outstretched Englishman to give Ashour his first title since he won his first World Open title last October in Manchester.

2 match balls to Ashour after a nifty drop. 10-8 in the final game. 

Ashour Up 4-2 in Final Game

Now at 8-all after a stroke to Matthew as Ramy gets trapped in the front of the court...

Ashour now leads 6-5...

Ashour Up 4-2 in Final Game

Matthew just tinned a backhand drop in the left corner and Ramy's up 4-2, seven points from victory here.

One Game for All the Marbles

Nick Matthew, the #8 seed, has come all the way back from 0-2 down against the reigning World Champion, #3 seed Ramy Ashour to knot matters at 2-all after 73 minutes of play heading into a decisive 5th game in the finals of the 2009 Davenport North American Open.

Both players appear to be laboring a bit as they play their 5th match of the week. Matthew seemed to have some tightness in his hips or upper leg early in the 4th game and did some stretching on-court in an attempt to stay loose.

Fitness and sangfroid under pressure will determine who will bring home this coveted championship.

Stay tuned...

Going Five?

Matthew's just hit a forehand volley into the nick to go up 6-3 in the 4th game, carrying forward the momentum from his 12-10 win in the 3rd game.

Matthew Stays Alive... Down 1-2

Matthew had another game ball at 10-9 in the third, but Ashour saved it with a high-risk service return drop for a winner to get to 10-all. Matthew didn't waste his second game ball at 11-10, blasting a backhand drive past the sprawling Ashour to take the third game 12-10 to get to within 1-2 heading into the 4th game. The crowd's been getting into the match more as play has unfolded, even helping the three referees with stroke/let determinations. 

Ashour 3 points away...

...up 8-7 in the third game, leading 2-0.