Swakopmund Squash Club

Daikin Coastal Open Squash Championships 2007

Becker Begins Pro Career with Emphatic Win

[Posted Jan-08]

Coasting through to win the 2007 Coastal Open Squash Championships without dropping a game, Marco Becker could not have wished for a better start to his professional squash career.

The 26-year-old from Walvis Bay barely raised a sweat against 8th-seeded Angelo Titus in the quarter finals. A tougher match followed against 4th-seeded Zimbabwean, David Rowett, but the outcome was the same: a 3-0 blitz of attacking volleys and deadly accurate drop shots to take him through to the final.

John Lingashi, defending champion and Namibia's top player, met 3rd-seeded Ian Rowett in the other semi-final. Rowett won the first game setting a fast pace and attacking the ball early; Lingashi rallied back in the second with some fine front-court domination but the effort took its toll allowing Rowett to secure the next two games and a place in the final.

A tense start from Rowett gave Becker an early lead in the final and he took advantage setting an intense pace with a combination of attacking volleys and octopus-like court coverage. Rowett found his rhythm and glimpsed a comeback at 6-4 in the first game but in the end had no answer to Becker's relentless pressure.

The women's final saw Namibia's top player, Jenny Pahl, up against Isabelle Schnoor from the Isle of Man. Taking their time to settle in, both players hit several unforced errors and it was Isabelle who found her range to take the first game.

Jenny replied in the second with some deadly drops and remarkable court speed to level the match but Isabelle powered through with some heavy cross-courts and deft touch to take the match in four.

While the spotlights glittered on the country's top players, sweating it out in hour-long contests and running each other into the ground, the battle for middle-order domination produced some excellent squash matches that were every bit as entertaining.

Some of the notable matches included Luke Allen vs. John Gant (3-2); Clifford de Witt vs. Luke Allen (3-2); Dries Tredoux vs. Luke Allen (3-2); Bassie Buitendach v Jenny Pahl (3-2); Uwe vs. Bernd Grüttemeyer (3-1); Sven Delport vs. Sven Grüttemeyer (3-1); Angelo Titus vs. Grant Hardwick (3-1); and Angelo Titus vs. Anthony Hardwick (3-2).

After a low turnout in 2006 the Coastal Open Championships seemed in danger of running out of steam. But the blockbuster 2007 performance from players and organisers has secured the tournament's position as one of Namibia's major squash events.

At the prize giving ceremony Daikin Air Conditioners confirmed their support for 2008 and, after an astonishing 22 years of organising the tournament, Des Williams unofficially handed over the reins to Ian Rowett.

[Full results here]

Tournament Draw Finalised

[Posted Dec 07]

Entries have closed and the tournament promises to be a humdinger. Top of the list is SA no. 48 Marco Becker with John Lingashi, Ian Rowett and David Rowett at two, three and four.

Expect tough competition from Perth-based father and son pair Grant and Anthony Hardwick. A strong middle order will produce some of the fiercest battles of the weekend.

Check out the draw...

Tournament Dates Set

[Posted Nov 07]

Breaking news -- believe it or not, there is a fun way to work off the excesses of the Silly Season.

The Coastal Open Squash Championships will be held from 28 - 30 December 2007. Players of all levels are encouraged to participate and enjoy the Swakopmund Squash Club's major annual event.

Daikin and Abenteuer Afrika Safari have teamed up and boosted the prize money for the 2007 Coastal Open to a whopping N$8,000.

This year's tournament looks set to be one of the most exciting yet. Former professionals, ex-national players, current top players and some prodigal talent rising through the ranks will all be playing. But it's not all about the pros, there's room for everyone and we'd like to encourage all the Social League Players to enter - it will be FUN!

Contact the tournament organisers, Des Williams, Jörg Hornickel or Ian Rowett, for more details and to enter.