Tom Richards (ENG) 3-0 Richie Fallows (ENG) 11-8, 11-6, 11-7 (32m)
It’s not like Richie did much wrong today, but I feel that Tom was oozing confidence and although he made a few errors from game ball 10/5 in the first game, to take it 11/8, the rest of the match, he looked very in control and never worried.
Richie played some good squash, attacking and never quitting but he never managed to put his opponent out of his comfort zone today.
Tom
I feel that I started well my season, then had a couple of bad matches, but in the worlds, I think I did pretty well against Mazen, although I lost, I was not far off, and in a strange way, it gave me confidence.
The court is a lot different to how it plays normally. A couple of the other players told me that it was a bit dead, I believed them but having played on this court for years and years where it’s lively and bouncy, it’s a bit of a shock. I’m lucky that I hit with guys that I know and like and I get to hit on this court a lot, which is a big advantage I think, because it’s very different to a lot of glass courts.
The big thing for me is not being injured, I haven’t been injured now for three or four years. I really didn’t enjoy playing when I was injured and not knowing if in the next match I was going to do something. I think that’s the main thing and I’m enjoying it, I enjoy training and going to the gym and doing all the horrible stuff – that’s never been a problem it’s more about keeping my enjoyment of squash.
I enjoyed it today, and at that stage of my career, if you don’t enjoy it, might as well stick your raquet in the bin…
