It was an incredible showing for the Canadians at the Stifel World Hardball Doubles Squash Championships held this past weekend in St Louis, Missouri. Canadian duos competed in two of the three finals – in the Men’s and Mixed events.
It was an incredible showing for the Canadians at the Stifel World Hardball Doubles Squash Championships held this past weekend in St Louis, Missouri. Canadian duos competed in two of the three finals – in the Men’s and Mixed events.
On their way to the finals, the unseeded duo of Thomas Brinkman and Robin Clarke defeated #4 seed Callis & Park (USA) in the Quarter Finals and then England’s Stait & Bamber in the Semi-Finals. In the finals, the dynamic duo would face the well-establish, experienced English team of Clive Leach & John Russell. Leach and Russell, appearing in their fifth finals in five years, were taken to five by Brinkman and Clarke after taking a two-game lead. Canada’s duo would battle back evening the match in games, forcing a 5th and deciding game. The Canadians saved two match balls and it all game down to a sudden-death at 14-all. With Leach pressuring Brinkman to hit the ball back to himself and give away a stroke, the English duo retained their title.
In the mixed event, Canada’s most decorated women's doubles player ever, Stephanie Hewitt with partner Viktor Berg entered the 2017 Worlds as #3 seeds and reigning champions, with their sights set on making it to the finals once again. Hewitt and Berg were successful in reaching the finals but ultimately lost in the 5th to the former Women’s World softball singles champion Natalie Grainger & Chris Callis of the USA. Canada’s duo took the opening game, and battled to take a 2-1 lead looking to capture their second world title. During the fourth game, the American duo saved three match-balls on their way to winning the game and forcing a decider. In the fifth and final game, the Americans came out on top winning 15-7.
Canada’s sole women’s pair competed tough winning their first match versus Alexia Echeverria and Andrea Echeverria, earning their place in the semi-finals where they would face Australia’s Krizek and McEhinny. Canada’s duo played hard in their semi-final match up versus the Aussies but dropped the contest 3-0.
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 Final:
[6] Natalie Grainger & Christopher Callis (USA) bt [3] Stephanie Hewitt & Viktor Berg (CAN) 15-9, 10-15, 11-15, 15-14, 15-7