R2: Leonel too strong today for Victor 3-2

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Leonel Cardenas (MEX) 3-2 [7] Victor Crouin (FRA)  8-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-1 (70m)

Strangely enough, I called the result yesterday. Looking at Victor’s match yesterday, and knowing a bit about his schedule these past weeks, I thought he would actually lose 3/0. Good for him, he didn’t.

To be honest, he played perfect squash in the first two games, lobbing and making the court very very big for Leonel, controlling and structured squash, impeccable drive and width, making the Mexican work a heck of a lot, making the rallies very, very long. First game, 16m. Second game, 19m.

But still, at 7/3 in the second, I saw he was getting really, really tired. He event went for a successful Mizuki, that’s not the kind of shots he often goes for. He needed to end the rallies quickly. He kept the gap scorewise, 10/7, taking the game 11/8 again….

To be honest, he never really recovered. Leonel, much more patient now, not going to silly shots from bad positions, was putting the French under a heck of a pressure, each rally more painful for the French than the next one. Grinding squash, and it worked: 12m game, Leonel, 11/7. Fourth game 9/4, 11/5, 7m.

The Frenchman tried his best at the start of the decider, but Leonel was not having it, and never let Victor back in. 7m match, 6/0, 11/1.

A good rest is needed for Victor, whereas Leonel, fresh from playing only two games yesterday against an injured Mohamed, and with the day of rest tomorrow, could be creating a lot of problems for his next opponent…

Leonel

“I’m so happy for the way I fought today. I was waiting for a good result, so I’m happy.

“I was just trying to play fluid squash [going into the third game]. I think the difference was that in the second game, I was playing well, but he was playing some good shots and great rallies. I felt I was there though. I felt like I was close. So I was just fighting to get the third game.

“Physically, I’m in a great spot. I’ve been trying to get better with my squash. I’ve been making some changes and finally they worked.

“I’ve been trying to be better with my racket and play more shots recently. I feel comfortable with my physicality, but to get to that next level I have to do something – small changes, but you can feel it on court. I’m happy that I’m feeling great.”