Squash Club at UW


Spring 2004 IMA Tourney Final (div.A)

Vikram Jandhyala v. Saumil Gandhi, Friday 6/4/04, 5:15pm


While both players might say they’ve played better, you won't catch any
disappointment from the crowd who stayed for a 5-game match that came
down to the wire.

Saumil was late, but that made the anticipation build. Neck and neck in the
first game, they quickly gave some long, crowd-pleasing rallies. From 6-6,
Saumil surged ahead with a burst of energy, aided by a few errors from
Vikram, and captured game 1.

Then we had our drawing for prizes, generously donated by Steve Furneaux.
(Thanks, Steve!) Vikram drew from about 25 names of those in attendance.
But when he legitimately drew his own name for the grand prize--a new
Grays racquet--what could be done but wonder if that'd be a simulacrum
of the match's fate.

Indeed, Vikram dominated the next two games, winning with a deadly
combination of keeping Saumil mostly on the defensive trying to dig returns
from deep corners while he controlled the T and front court. Game 2 was
easier for him than game 3 however, when Saumil began to make a worthy,
yet unsuccessful come-back.

But then came game 4 and a re-newed (what was in that Gatorade?) and
more determined Saumil. He agressively attacked, the tables turned, and
Vikram got a taste of scrambling in the back court. Saumil tied the game
score, 2-2, only slowed down by the need to shake out some increasing
leg cramps.

In the final game 5, the players traded serves, points and leads, back and
forth, back and forth, inching their way to the end. None of the spectators
were placing bets. Vikram suddenly surged 2 points ahead to serve 8-6,
possible match point. But Saumil burned his extra and won back the service.
Then it happened, in a grueling rally Saumil suffered a devastating cramp,
and couldn’t complete the game.

We let Vikram take home the racquet and Intramural Champion T-shirt.
But he’d better watch out for the sequel match, when Saumil returns after
a summer’s worth of “training” in India.

Great match, guys!


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