Narrator Andy Taylor | The Voice of the Qatar Classic | Photo: Steve Cubbins
[divider style=”solid” color=”#cccccc” opacity=”0.5″ icon=”arrow-down” icon_color=”#666666″ icon_size=”15″ placement=”up”]
Adrian Waller -37- (ENG) def Alan Clyne -36- (SCO)
Match recap from Narrator Andy Taylor, Voice of the Qatar Classic.
[vector_icon icon=”fas fa-check-circle”] Round-1 Final: 11-6, 11-6, 12-10 (38m)
For the first time in 3-years, Adrian Waller didn’t have to qualify at the Qatar Classic. Which is a good thing. It’s been a humbling month for the Brit. Waller lost back-to-back, deciding-game matches to Declan James at the US Open and the St. George’s Hill Classic. He then fell to Finland’s Olli Tuominen during the Premier League’s 2nd-Round in Weybridge.
While the results are frustrating, Adrian played tremendous squash against Declan in Round-2 of the season’s first Platinum event. Then again, gave himself chances against James in Round-1 at Weybridge. Both matches were packed with tiebreaks and lasted well over an hour.
With his victory today over Alan Clyne, the results are finally trending in the right direction. Today’s Round-1 clash was the 5th tour-level meeting between Waller and Clyne. A look at their previous matches:
▲ Feb 2017 – British National Championship (QF) – Adrian Waller | Score: 11-6, 12-10, 7-11, 11-9 (65m)
▲ Jan 2017 – Edinburgh Sports Club Open (SF) – Alan Clyne | Score: 10-12, 11-7, 11-7, 5-11, 11-6 (73m)
▲ Mar 2015 – Windy City Open [Q] – Alan Clyne | Score: 6-11, 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-3 (80m)
▲ Apr 2014 – Irish Open (F) – Adrian Waller | Score: 11-8, 10-12, 8-11, 11-7, 11-6 (93m)
▲ Oct 2011 – NetSuite Open (R1) – Alan Clyne | Score: 6-11, 4-11, 11-8, 11-4, 12-10 (73m)
▲ Dec 2009 – Illes Belears Open (SF) – Alan Clyne | Score: 11-4, 11-5, 11-7 (30m)
Each player’s narrator introduction for today’s Round-1 match…
[divider style=”solid” color=”#cccccc” opacity=”0.5″ placement=”equal”]
Adrian Waller -37- (ENG)
Last season, this 28-year-old southpaw won his 6th PSA Tour title in Amsterdam, captured Doubles Silver at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, and finished the season by reaching his 26th career PSA Tour Semifinal at the Tring Open. Ranked as high as World #24, he is a 12-time Finalist on Tour, is a 2-time Semifinalist at the British National Championship, and earned his best Platinum-level run at the 2014 US Open, where he reached the Quarterfinals. Competing in his 5th Qatar Classic Squash Championship – From England, please welcome Adrian Waller
▲ Last year, as a qualifier – Adrian Waller fell to Cameron Pilley in the 1st-Round.
▲ Before today, Waller had won only 2 main draw matches here in Qatar. Both were 1st-Round wins over Nicolas Müller in 2015 and 2016.
Alan Clyne -36- (SCO)
This 32-year-old started the new season by shattering records, capturing a remarkable 8th Scottish Nationals title in August. A 17-time Finalist on Tour, he owns 8 PSA titles and has been ranked as high as #24 in the World. 2-years-ago on this court, he earned his first-ever main-draw win in Doha, upsetting Saurav Ghosal to reach the 2nd-Round. Competing in his 7th Qatar Classic Squash Championship, he’s looking to reach Round-2 of a Platinum-series event for the 8th time. From Scotland, please welcome Alan Clyne.
