Professional squash returned to the Boston area on September 17 and finished with a bang two nights later, when Shahier Razik, Canada's #1 ranked player, upset David Palmer, Australia's #1 player and World #6, to win the inaugural Cross Courts Open before a sold-out crowd.

Joe McManus recently founded US Pro Squash to bring top-notch squash competition to Boston and other cities where the Professional Squash Association (PSA) does not have a tour stop. This inaugural event took place at Cross Courts Squash and Fitness Club in Natick. Cross Courts erected stands outside Court 1 for the duration of the tournament. In addition to 12 matches, the world-ranked players participating in the tournament offered local players the chance to improve their skills with several three-hour-long clinics.

Going into the tournament, David Palmer, born in Australia, but now a Boston-area resident and traveling pro for the University Club, was the heavy favorite. With 26 pro titles under his belt, he breezed through his half of the draw, first defeating Baset Chaudhry, who plays #1 for Trinity College and is the reigning national collegiate champion. In the semifinals, Palmer beat John White, former world #1 and coach at Franklin and Marshall. White defeated Cross Courts pro and former New Zealand #1 Daniel Sharplin in the first round. 

Things got a bit complicated on the other side of the draw. Shahier Razik, who was born in Egypt but now plays for Canada, defeated local pro Preston Quick (Union Boat Club), but then lost to Julian Illingworth, the US #1. Illingworth graduated from Yale in 2006 and is working his way up the PSA rankings. However, Illingworth was injured during that semifinal. After a meeting, the tournament director and players unanimously agreed that Shahier Razik was the appropriate player to appear in the championship final against Palmer. Illingworth had to settle for reffing all four matches on the last day. No word on how his fellow players liked his decisions!

The final day of the tournament featured four exciting matches. In the third-place match, White and Liam Kenny, Ireland’s #1 squash player, faced off in the first match. Kenny jumped off to an early lead, winning the first two games 11-8 and 15-13, and taking advantage of White’s errors. But White still had some tricks up his sleeve from his long pro career and took the third game easily, 11-5. Kenny won the close fourth game, 12-10.

The plate final featured local pros Quick and Sharplin, both winless to this point. They know each other well and often meet in local tournaments. Quick normally focuses on doubles, but he qualified for the U.S. men’s team after winning the men’s team trial in July 2009. The U.S. men travel to the world team championships in Denmark later this month. Sharplin is the reigning state champion. Sharplin won the first game easily, allowing Quick only four serves. Quick fell behind 2-6 in the second game, but rolled off seven straight points, and eventually won the game 11-7. But the last two games were all Sharplin, 11-6, 11-6.

With Razik playing in the final, Kenny also offered to play the consolation final against Trinity standout Chaudhry. Kenny showed no ill effects from his earlier match, winning the first two games 11-5, 11-5. Chaudhry fought harder in the third game, and after an injury timeout at 9-9 for shin splints, he took the next two points and the game. But that was enough for Kenny, who breezed through the final game 11-3. Kenny planned to take advantage of the local entertainment possibilities, with tickets to see his home boys, U2, perform the following evening.

The last match was definitely the class of the tournament. While the players were friendly and relaxed during the first three matches, Razik and Palmer were playing serious, focused squash. There were many 30+ shot rallies. Razik is a scrambler, covering the court amazingly, while Palmer is patient and has great anticipation, thrilling the crowd by cutting off some of Razik’s quick returns. Palmer controlled many points from the T, but this night belonged to Razik, who won the first two games 11-7, 14-12. Palmer stepped it up in the third, showing his excellent touch, and won 11-5. But Razik was too strong in the fourth, allowing Palmer only six serves. Razik is the first champion of the Cross Courts Open.

US Pro Squash gratefully acknowledges tournament sponsors Dover Rug, Jonathan Greer Wealth Management, Morgan Stanley, Harrow Sports, Black Knight, Massachusetts Squash, Rhode Island Squash, WelcomeNeighbor.com, Cross Services Group,CA (Computer Associates), Briggs Johnson – Real Estate Broker for Coldwell Banker, Maureen McAffrey - Real Estate Agent for Pinnacle Properties, and City Sports. Tournament charities included Metrowest Interfaith Hospitality Network and Kid Squash.

by Sarah Lemaire