2017 Stifel World Doubles Championships Photos

Complete Photo Gallery

It’s An England Double At World Hardball Doubles Championships In St Louis

RESULTS: Stifel World Hardball Doubles Squash Championships, St Louis, Missouri, USA

Men’s Final:
[4] Clive Leach & John Russell (ENG) bt Thomas Brinkman & Robin Clarke (CAN) 15-10, 15-10, 3-15, 7-15, 15-14

Women’s Final:
[2] Suzie Pierrepont & Georgina Stoker (ENG) bt [1] Narelle Krizek & Natarsha McElhinny (AUS) 12-15, 15-11, 15-3, 15-7

Mixed Semi-finals:
[6] Natalie Grainger & Christopher Callis (USA) bt [7] Tina Rix & John Russell (ENG) 15-8, 15-8, 15-4
[3] Stephanie Hewitt & Viktor Berg (CAN) bt [5] Suzie Pierrepont & James Stout (ENG) 11-15, 7-11, 15-11, 15-14, 15-13
Final:
[6] Natalie Grainger & Christopher Callis (USA) bt [3] Stephanie Hewitt & Viktor Berg (CAN) 15-9, 10-15, 11-15, 15-14, 15-7

It’s An England Double At World Hardball Doubles Championships In St Louis

England claimed two of the three titles on offer – for the second time in a row – when Clive Leach & John Russell and Suzie Pierrepont & Georgina Stoker struck gold in the Men’s and Women’s events, respectively, in the Stifel World Hardball Doubles Squash Championships in St Louis in the US state of Missouri.

There was home success earlier in the day when sixth-seeded US pairing Natalie Grainger & Christopher Callis triumphed in the Mixed championship.

Despite being the title-holders, Leach & Russell were the fourth seeds – but made their breakthrough in the semi-finals where they despatched No.1 seeds Michael Ferreira & Jonny Smith

The established English duo – appearing in the final for the fourth time in five years – took a two-game lead against their younger Canadian opponents Thomas Brinkman & Robin Clarke. The unseeded pair (pictured below in final action, in white shorts) soon drew level to force a decider – but it was the seasoned English pair, aged 43 and 38, who reached match-ball first at 14-12.

After two match-balls were saved, it was sudden death at 14-all. With Leach pressuring Brinkman to hit the ball back to himself and give away a stroke, it was the English duo who retained their title 15-10, 15-10, 3-15, 7-15, 15-14.

“I got sucked into hitting aimlessly across court and lost the battle with Thomas in the middle but then got back to the plan of mixing height with width and some down the middle to try and force an error,” said Russell later. “It worked but it was close!”

Women’s favourites Narelle Krizek & Natarsha McElhinny, the Australian sisters formerly known as Narelle and Natarsha Tippett, duly reached the final – but the title remained in English hands.

It was a joyful climax for second seeds Suzie Pierrepont & Georgina Stoker who competed in the 2015 final – on opposite sides of the court. After dropping the first game, the England pair stormed back to take the title 12-15, 15-11, 15-3, 15-7 – marking a successful defence for 2015 champion Pierrepont.

“I lost to Suzie in the final two years ago in the final,” said Stoker (pictured above at the trophy presentations). “So it was really great to have won with her this time. I was so nervous for the first game and could hardly hit it he ball, but after we won the second I settled in and we came out firing in the third and fourth.”

Seasoned hardball doubles campaigner Natalie Grainger, the 40-year-old former world No.1, was partnered by 28-year-old Christopher Callis in the Mixed final. The USA pair had already accounted for the No.4 seeds in the first round and now faced third-seeded Canadians Stephanie Hewitt & Viktor Berg.

After taking the opening game, Grainger and Callis fell 2/1 behind – then had to save three match-balls in the fourth to force a decider. But experience shone through as the home duo marched on to win 15-9, 10-15, 11-15, 15-14, 15-7.

“We knew we had to be on high alert with Viktor on the court as he is so dangerous,” said Grainger (pictured above at the presentations). “We had to up the pace and add variety – we are so pleased to have got the win.”

For more details, visit www.worlddoubles.com/live/

Giant-Killer Russell Marches On At World Hardball Doubles Championships In St Louis

RESULTS: Stifel World Hardball Doubles Squash Championships, St Louis, Missouri, USA

Men’s semi-finals:
[4] Clive Leach & John Russell (ENG) bt [1] Michael Ferreira & Jonny Smith (ENG) 15-5, 15-8, 15-11
Thomas Brinkman & Robin Clarke (CAN) bt James Bamber & Alex Stait (ENG) 15-13, 12-15, 6-15, 15-8, 15-14

Women’s semi-finals:
[1] Narelle Krizek & Natarsha McElhinny (AUS) bt [3] Stephanie Hewitt & Seanna Keating (CAN) 15-11, 15-12, 15-11
[2] Suzie Pierrepont & Georgina Stoker (ENG) bt [4] Tina Rix & Victoria Simmonds (ENG) 15-11, 11-15, 15-12, 15-12

Mixed quarter-finals:
[7] Tina Rix & John Russell (ENG) bt [1] Natarsha McElhinny & Scott Arnold (AUS) 15-6, 15-13, 5-15, 15-14
[6] Natalie Grainger & Christopher Callis (USA) bt [4] Victoria Simmonds & Michael Ferreira (ENG) 14-15, 15-9, 15-9, 15-5
[3] Stephanie Hewitt & Viktor Berg (CAN) bt Georgina Stoker & Alex Stait (ENG) 15-8, 15-3, 15-11
[5] Suzie Pierrepont & James Stout (ENG) bt [2] Narelle Krizek & Matt Jenson (AUS) 15-10, 12-15, 15-12, 15-13

Giant-Killer Russell Marches On At World Hardball Doubles Championships In St Louis

England’s John Russell twice defied the seedings on day three of the Stifel World Hardball Doubles Squash Championships by contributing towards the downfall of two sets of top seeds in the biennial event in St Louis in the US state of Missouri.

Partnered with Tina Rix in the Mixed quarter-finals in the morning, the No.7 seeds despatched Australian favourites Natarsha McElhinny & Scott Arnold 15-6, 15-13, 5-15, 15-14.

The English pair will now face USA’s Natalie Grainger & Christopher Callis who also claimed an upset after beating fourth seeds Victoria Simmonds & Michael Ferreira 14-15, 15-9, 15-9, 15-5.

Despite being title-holders in the Men’s championship, Russell and Clive Leach are the No.4 seeds. But in an all-English semi-final, the dynamic duo brushed aside No.1 seeds Michael Ferreira & Jonny Smith 15-5, 15-8, 15-11 to celebrate a fourth appearance in five finals since 2009.

Leach & Russell will face Canadians Thomas Brinkman & Robin Clarke for the title. In a dramatic semi in the lower half of the draw, Brinkman & Clarke edged out fellow non-seeds James Bamber & Alex Stait 15-13, 12-15, 6-15, 15-8, 15-14 to put paid to an all-English climax.

Order was restored in the Women’s event when the top two seeded pairings set up the anticipated final. Australian favourites, sisters Narelle Krizek & Natarsha McElhinny (pictured above), defeated Canadians Stephanie Hewitt & Seanna Keating 15-11, 15-12, 15-11, while Suzie Pierrepont & Georgina Stoker, the second seeds from England, beat compatriots Tina Rix & Victoria Simmonds 15-11, 11-15, 15-12, 15-12.

Men’s Final line-up:
[4] Clive Leach & John Russell (ENG) v Thomas Brinkman & Robin Clarke (CAN)

Women’s Final line-up:
[1] Narelle Krizek & Natarsha McElhinny (AUS) v [2] Suzie Pierrepont & Georgina Stoker (ENG)

Mixed Semi-final line-up:
[7] Tina Rix & John Russell (ENG) v [6] Natalie Grainger & Christopher Callis (USA)
[5] Suzie Pierrepont & James Stout (ENG) v [3] Stephanie Hewitt & Viktor Berg (CAN)

For live coverage and streaming, visit www.worlddoubles.com/live/

Stait Leads England Day At World Hardball Doubles In St Louis

RESULTS: Stifel World Hardball Doubles Squash Championships, St Louis, Missouri, USA

Men’s quarter-finals:
[1] Michael Ferreira & Jonny Smith (ENG) bt [5] Viktor Berg & Justin Todd (CAN) 15-5, 15-12, 15-7
[4] Clive Leach & John Russell (ENG) bt Hamed Anvari & Julian Illingworth (USA) 15-4, 15-11, 15-13
Thomas Brinkman & Robin Clarke (CAN) bt [3] Christopher Callis & Greg Park (USA) 15-5, 14-15, 15-14, 8-15, 15-11
James Bamber & Alex Stait (ENG) bt [2] Scott Arnold & Matt Jenson (AUS) 15-13, 10-15, 15-6, 15-9

Women’s 1st round:
[3] Stephanie Hewitt & Seanna Keating (CAN) bt Alexia Echeverria & Andrea Echeverria (ESA) 15-11, 15-7, 15-7
[4] Tina Rix & Victoria Simmonds (ENG) bt Elani Landman & Lume Landman (RSA) 15-12, 15-6, 15-8
[2] Suzie Pierrepont & Georgina Stoker (ENG) bt Natalie Grainger & Kayley Leonard (USA) 11-15, 15-14, 14-15, 15-12, 15-9

Mixed 1st round:
[7] Tina Rix & John Russell (ENG) bt Elani Landman & Jacques Swanepoel (RSA) 15-12, 15-4, 15-8
[6] Natalie Grainger & Christopher Callis (USA) bt Lume Landman & Clinton Leeuw (RSA) 15-13, 15-7, 15-10
[4] Victoria Simmonds & Michael Ferreira (ENG) bt Constanza Navarrine Gonzalez & Julian Illingworth (USA) 15-7, 15-9, 15-6
[3] Stephanie Hewitt & Viktor Berg (CAN) bt Wendy Maitland Jones & Adam Bews (SCO) 15-9, 15-11, 15-10
Georgina Stoker & Alex Stait (ENG) bt [8] Seanna Keating & Thomas Brinkman (CAN) 15-10, 12-15, 15-9, 15-14
[5] Suzie Pierrepont & James Stout (ENG) bt Kayley Leonard & Greg Park (USA) 15-11, 12-15, 15-5, 15-3

Stait Leads England Day At World Hardball Doubles In St Louis

Former world No.53 Alex Stait put England in a commanding position on day two of the Stifel World Hardball Doubles Squash Championships after claiming unexpected berths in both the Men’s semi-finals and the Mixed quarter-finals in St Louis in the US state of Missouri.

The 37-year-old from Gloucester, now based in Philadelphia, partnered James Bamber to a shock 15-13, 10-15, 15-6, 15-9 upset of second-seeded Australians Scott Arnold & Matt Jenson in the men’s quarter-finals.

The unseeded pair will now face fellow non-seeds Thomas Brinkman & Robin Clarke for a place in the final after the unheralded Canadian duo despatched No.3 seeds Christopher Callis & Greg Park 15-5, 14-15, 15-14, 8-15, 15-11.

England are already sure of a place in the men’s final after both top seeds Michael Ferreira & Jonny Smith and title-holders Clive Leach & John Russell prevailed against North American opposition in quarter-finals in the top half of the draw.

Also unseeded in the mixed championship, Stait paired up with Philadelphia-based Merseysider Georgina Stoker to overcome Seanna Keating & Thomas Brinkman, the No.8 seeds from Canada, 15-10, 12-15, 15-9, 15-14. The pair will now face a second Canadian pair Stephanie Hewitt & Viktor Berg, the third seeds, in the quarter-finals.

Stoker was also in action in the opening round of the Women’s event where the 31-year-old, partnered with Suzie Pierrepont, twice had to come from behind to beat US pair Natalie Grainger & Kayley Leonard 11-15, 15-14, 14-15, 15-12, 15-9.

The second seeds – both of whom featured in the 2015 final, in opposing pairings – will now line up against fellow countrywomen Tina Rix & Victoria Simmonds, the fourth seeds, for a place in the women’s final.

Men’s semi-final line-up:
[1] Michael Ferreira & Jonny Smith (ENG) v [4] Clive Leach & John Russell (ENG)
James Bamber & Alex Stait (ENG) v Thomas Brinkman & Robin Clarke (CAN)

Women’s semi-final line-up:
[1] Narelle Krizek & Natarsha McElhinny (AUS) v [3] Stephanie Hewitt & Seanna Keating (CAN)
[2] Suzie Pierrepont & Georgina Stoker (ENG) v [4] Tina Rix & Victoria Simmonds (ENG)

Mixed quarter-final line-up:
[1] Natarsha McElhinny & Scott Arnold (AUS) v [7] Tina Rix & John Russell (ENG)
[4] Victoria Simmonds & Michael Ferreira (ENG) v [6] Natalie Grainger & Christopher Callis (USA)
[3] Stephanie Hewitt & Viktor Berg (CAN) v Georgina Stoker & Alex Stait (ENG)
[2] Narelle Krizek & Matt Jenson (AUS) v [5] Suzie Pierrepont & James Stout (ENG)

For live coverage and streaming, visit www.worlddoubles.com/live/

Top Seeds Safely Through In St Louis

RESULTS: Stifel World Hardball Doubles Squash Championships, St Louis, Missouri, USA

Men’s 1st round:
Hameed Ahmed & Adam Perkiomaki (USA) bt Ryan Abraham & Mandela Patrick (TRI) 15-4, 15-5, 15-6
Tony Brettkelly & Ray Lindsay (USA) bt Neil Martin & Joseph Roberts (IRL) w/o
Hamed Anvari & Julian Illingworth (USA) bt Iago Cornes & Michael Puertas (USA) 15-9, 15-10, 15-7
Adam Bews & Greg McArthur (SCO) bt Mark Heather & Alex Ingham (ENG) 15-6, 15-6, 11-15, 15-9

2nd round:
[1] Michael Ferreira & Jonny Smith (ENG) bt Hameed Ahmed & Adam Perkiomaki (USA) 15-10, 15-5, 15-10
[5] Viktor Berg & Justin Todd (CAN) bt Tony Brettkelly & Ray Lindsay (USA) 15-7, 15-4, 15-8
Hamed Anvari & Julian Illingworth (USA) bt [6] Will Mariani & Freddie Reid (CAN) 15-9, 15-14, 15-9
[4] Clive Leach & John Russell (ENG) bt Clinton Leeuw & Jacques Swanepoel (RSA) 15-14, 15-7, 15-10
[3] Christopher Callis & Greg Park (USA) bt Graham Bassett & Jordan Greenberg (USA) 15-14, 12-15, 12-15, 15-13, 15-10
Thomas Brinkman & Robin Clarke (CAN) bt [8] Bobby Burns & Ed Garno (USA) 15-9, 15-8, 9-15, 14-15, 15-10
James Bamber & Alex Stait (ENG) bt [7] Imran Khan Riaz & Aaron Luque (USA) 15-8, 15-11, 13-15, 15-5
[2] Scott Arnold & Matt Jenson (AUS) bt Adam Bews & Greg McArthur (SCO) 15-10, 15-6, 10-15, 15-13

Top Seeds Safely Through In St Louis

The top four men’s seeds safely negotiated their first hurdles in the Stifel World Hardball Doubles Squash Championships in St Louis in the US state of Missouri.

No.1 seeds Michael Ferreira & Jonny Smith – bidding to win the title for the first time while keeping the trophy in English hands – saw off their second round opponents in straight games, beating US pair Hameed Ahmed & Adam Perkiomaki 15-10, 15-5, 15-10 (both pairs pictured in action below).

The favourites will now meet fifth seeds Viktor Berg & Justin Todd in the quarter-finals after the Canadian duo also despatched a USA pair Tony Brettkelly & Ray Lindsay in a 15-7, 15-4, 15-8 scoreline.

Boosted by a rise in seeding to fourth position after the late withdrawal of second-seeded Indians Manek Mathur & Parth Sharma, defending champions Clive Leach & John Russell saw off South Africans Clinton Leeuw & Jacques Swanepoel 15-14, 15-7, 15-10 to claim a place in the last eight.

New York-based Leach, a 43-year-old former European Junior Championship finalist from Birmingham in England, is bidding to reach the final for the fifth time in a row.

For a place in the semi-finals, Leach & Russell will line up against Hamed Anvari & Julian Illingworth, a record nine-time US national singles champion. The unseeded US pair upset sixth-seeded Canadians Will Mariani & Freddie Reid15-9, 15-14, 15-9.

For live coverage and streaming, visit www.worlddoubles.com/live/

New Champions predicted at 2017 World Hardball Doubles Championships

Courtesy of WSF

The three World Hardball Doubles Squash Championships titles will change hands according to the seedings and draws revealed today for the 2017 event which will be held in St Louis, in the US state of Missouri, from 21-24 September.

The 12th edition of the biennial championships, featuring Men’s, Women’s and Mixed events and organised by the Squash Doubles Association (SDA) and Women’s Squash Doubles Association (WSDA) Pro Tours under the auspices of the WSF will take place at the Racquet Club of St Louis and Missouri Athletic Club.

Englishmen Michael Ferreira & Jonny Smith are seeded to win the men’s title for the first time – yet keep the trophy in English hands, after the 2015 success by Clive Leach & John Russell. The pair is expected to line up against sixth-seeded Canadians Viktor Berg & Justin Todd in the quarter-finals, en-route to a final clash with Indians Manek Mathur & Parth Sharma, the second seeds.

Meanwhile, No.5 seeds Leach and Russell – finalists in 2009, 2011 and 2013 before winning the title for the first time in 2015 – are expected to do battle with home pair Christopher Callis & Greg Park, the fourth seeds, for a place in the semi-finals.

Natarsha McElhinny is expected to provide Australian success in both the Women’s and Mixed championships. The former Natarsha Tippett pairs up with her younger sister Narelle Krizek in the women’s event where the 2011 runners-up are predicted to face England’s Suzie Pierrepont & Tina Rix in the final. Pierrepont won the 2015 title with compatriot Carrie Hastings (pictured below during the 2015 final).

GS000514

Natarsha partners Scott Arnold in the mixed event where the Australians are expected to emulate the success of compatriots Narelle Krizek & Paul Price in the 2013 championships.

But it is Narelle’s sister Narelle who is expected to be on the other side of the court in the mixed final where she and Matt Jenson are the No.2 seeds. The reigning champions from Canada, Stephanie Hewitt & Viktor Berg, are third seeds in St Louis.

Predicted quarter-final line-ups, according to the draws and seedings:

Men:
[1] Michael Ferreira & Jonny Smith (ENG) v [6] Viktor Berg & Justin Todd (CAN)
[3] Scott Arnold & Matt Jenson (AUS) v [7] Will Mariani & Freddie Reid (CAN)
[4] Christopher Callis & Greg Park (USA) v [5] Clive Leach & John Russell (ENG)
[2] Manek Mathur & Parth Sharma (IND) v [8] Imran Khan & Aaron Luque (USA)

Mixed:
[1] Natarsha McElhinny & Scott Arnold (AUS) v [7] Tina Rix & John Russell (ENG)
[4] Victoria Simmonds & Michael Ferreira (ENG) v [6] Natalie Grainger & Christopher Callis (USA)
[3] Stephanie Hewitt & Viktor Berg (CAN) v [8] Seanna Keating & Thomas Brinkman (CAN)
[2] Narelle Krizek & Matt Jenson (AUS) v [5] Suzie Pierrepont & James Stout (ENG)

Women’s 1st round:
[1] Narelle Krizek & Natarsha McElhinny (AUS) bye
[3] Stephanie Hewitt & Seanna Keating (CAN) v [7] Alexia Echeverria & Andrea Echeverria (ESA)
[4] Tina Rix & Victoria Simmonds (ENG) v [6] Elani Landman & Lume Landman (RSA)
[2] Suzie Pierrepont & Tina Rix (ENG) v [5] Natalie Grainger & Kayley Leonard (USA)

The prize fund is more than $70,000 – with parity offered in the men’s and women’s draws.

Hardball is a variation of squash developed in North America and played on a larger court with a harder ball.

 

St. Louis To Host 2017 World Hardball Doubles Championships

Report courtesy of WSF.

The 2017 WSF World Hardball Squash Doubles Championships will be staged in St. Louis, Missouri, September 21-24.

The 12th edition of the championships, featuring Men’s, Women’s and Mixed events and organized by the Squash Doubles Association (SDA) and Women’s Squash Doubles Association (WSDA) Pro Tours under the auspices of the World Squash Federation, will take place at the Racquet Club of St Louis and Missouri Athletic Club.

England’s John Russell & Clive Leach are expected to defend the Men’s title they won in 2015. It was also an English pair, Suzie Pierrepont & Carrie Hastings, who claimed the Women’s title in the same championships, while Canadians Viktor Berg & Stephanie Hewitt are the defending Mixed champions.

Continue reading “St. Louis To Host 2017 World Hardball Doubles Championships”

England Claim Men’s and Women’s World Doubles Gold; Canada Wins Mixed Gold

worlddoubles.com

The seventeenth biennial J.P. Morgan & Trunk Club World Squash Doubles Championships concluded in dramatic fashion Sunday night as England’s John Russell & Clive Leach pulled off the upset of the tournament over Australia’s Damien Mudge & Ben Gould, clinching England’s second gold medal of the tournament, adding to Suzie Pierrepont & Carrie Hastings’ women’s open title at Onwenstia Club in Chicago, Illinois.

The men’s and women’s finals were preceded by the mixed final, which saw Team USA’s Amanda Sobhy & Chris Callis, who upset England’s top seeds in the semifinals, pitted against Team Canada’s two seeds, Stephanie Hewitt & Viktor Berg.

Hewitt & Berg created a 2-0 advantage, and held match ball on a simultaneous game ball in the third, but Sobhy & Callis forced a fourth game 15-14. The Canadian veterans then pulled away once again to win the fourth 15-6, and claim gold medals for Canada.

Continue reading “England Claim Men’s and Women’s World Doubles Gold; Canada Wins Mixed Gold”