Let's Talk Squash - SUSPENDED

nyc squash · Prolific Contributor Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Posts: 100

Can someone explain why draws are based on dated rankings? Having Matthew seeded outside the top eight (and particularly behind John White) in the WO is a travesty. It means Matthew and Ramy will meet in the second round, which isn't fair to either of them.

Run-away-from-danger Boy · Prolific Contributor Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 140

Draws are based on the ranking at the time the entries close. The deadline for registering for the World Open was October 2, so the seedings and draw is done from the October rankings. I presume this is so players know early enough if they are playing or not and can organize their travel and schedule - it also gives them time to pull out and for PSA to find replacements.

Matthew v Ashour in the second round is (bad) luck of the draw. Matthew was ranked 10 in October.

Tournaments generally have a deadline 3-4 weeks before the start of the event. Why the World Open is more than 6 weeks is a mystery but it doesn't affect the seedings.

nyc squash · Prolific Contributor Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Posts: 100

That makes sense in terms of logistics, but it's still unfortunate. Right now there are eight players who realistically have a chance of winning the whole thing. (Darwish may be debatable, but he's notched some good wins recently. The other seven have all been in major finals this year.) None of them should meet before the quarter finals.

stevecubs · Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:58 pm Post subject:

To be honest, I wouldn't worry too much about the current draw permutations ...

bendi36 · Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:33 pm Post subject:

why not do it like tennis? or better yet do up the draw, put the players who nominate in their order, then the qualifiers, then at each months new rankings swap the seeded players around to their new world ranking order.
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nyc squash · Prolific Contributor Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Posts: 100

Sounds like Steve doesn't expect the seeds to remain as is.... Meaning no Ramy? Or maybe no Whitey.

Canuck · Prolific Contributor Joined: 28 Aug 2007 Posts: 123

I'm sure Borja Golan would be happy to hear that the both of them couldn't play...he'd be bumped to 16th seed. Although he might be suspect himself after bowing out with injury at his home tournament. If that's the case, I guess Grant is the lucky guy.

Razik and Lavigne will also be pretty happy to not have to qualify I'm sure.

nmc8 · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 6:59 am Post subject:

However the draw is eventually set the fact is that who ever wins the title is going to have to get passed Shabana and most probably Ramy if he is fit. If I where drawn to meet Ramy I would want him early doors before he settles in to the tournament especially considering his lack of high level match practice.

As the previous high ranking tournaments have shown the cream always rises to the top so the seeding of the 5 to 16 really does not matter hugely as to there order they will at some point have to beat the top 2.

nmc8

Canuck · Prolific Contributor Joined: 28 Aug 2007 Posts: 123

For sure, but most of these guys aren't entering this tournament expecting to win it. They will most certainly try their hardest to do so, but most people will be happy to play above their seeding and get the points associated with that. Borja Golan will cement his top 20 status if he can make the top 16's of this tournament, which will in turn make him a top 16 seed for most, if not all, super series events next year. If he can accomplish reaching the 2nd round, rather than playing Gaultier in the round of 32, and most likely losing, albeit valiantly, he should remain in the top 20 for all of next year even if he doesn't beat anyone ranked higher than him in 2008.

nmc8 · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 11:20 am Post subject:

Canuk,

You make a good point regarding the lower seeds or those just outside the top 16 looking to break in. But the way that the ranking system works on a rolling annual basis means that it is really only the top guys say 1 to 8 that stay relatively stable the rest can fluctuate quite a bit and trying to scrape in to the top 16 can be ok for one month but a good month a year ago can come out of his ranking and knock them back down if not replicated this year.

It really is the luck of the draw as they say but also if there are any withdrawals at a tournament as well, as this can affect the position of the player in the draw as well.

nmc8

nyc squash · Prolific Contributor Joined: 19 Jul 2007 Posts: 100

According to the new draw, not only is Ramy out, but Darwish is gone too. Any explanation as to why?