If you were hoping to see a fair-haired Yank raise the shiny trophy at the squash Tournament of Champions being held in Grand Central this week, it appears you’re out of luck.
The semifinal matches have been set, and start at 7 p.m. today at Vanderbilt Hall. The four ace swatters in the running include an Englishman, a Frenchie and a pair of Egyptians. After a little “Teaching Pro Challenge” action at 6 (we don’t know what that means either), the 7 p.m. showdown has Egyptian R. Ashour, rated #3, against #10 N. Matthew, out of England.
After that, it’s #2 ranked K. Darwish, from Egypt, against–get this!–unranked G. Gaultier out of France.
G. Gaultier, pictured above, pulled off a big upset in the quarterfinals, offing some Aussie after a slow start. “I was going too short and hitting too many tins,” he told the Tournament of Champions scribe.
Yes, he’s French, but Trainjotting is officially endorsing the unranked G. Gaultier to win the tournament and cash prize. If we had any advice for G. Gaultier, it would be don’t go too short–and don’t hit too many tins!
[image squashtalk.com]