[31] Melvil Scianimanico (FRA) bt Adrian Waller (ENG) 11-5, 11-8, 8-11, 12-10 (45m)
Very solid Frenchman in the first two games, putting a lot of work in the English legs, clear game plan, twist and turn the tall Adrian. Melvil lost a bit his way in the third, thanks to all the pickups he had to do as the English was attacking every single shot, to the four corners, from 8/8, it’s 11/8 to Adrian.
The fourth is a beauty really. Not a single point between them throughout the game, from 1/1 to 9/9. Game ball for Adrian10/9, saved by the French with a stunning crosscourt dying width. 10/10. A very very long intense rally, unlucky Adrian, his shot just clips the out of court line, 11/10 match ball.
A ping pong kind of last rally, I don’t think the ball touched the backwall, just reflexes and adrenaline, but in that game, Melvil is pretty good and forces an error from his opponent, match, 12/10.
Melvil : Too many things going through my head at the moment!
It wasn’t the best squash I’ve ever played, but still. I’m happy to come through the match with the win.
I managed to find the weapons I needed to avoid going into a fifth game against such an experienced player, and I think that was better for me.
Tactically, the goal was to twist and turn him around a bit, because he’s tall and still quite slow at times, to counter him, and above all, to be careful with his mid-court game. That’s where he was strongest.
I managed to do that pretty well for two and a half games, and then I was struggling a bit, I had a little dip. But I’m happy to get through to the next round, like last year, when I beat Iker in the first round and then lost to Paul Coll. Tomorrow I play Soliman.
I played him a month ago and lost 3/2, and it was one of the best matches of my season. We’ll see how I feel tomorrow. I just want to feel good, to recover. I don’t have any pressure…
