Saudi International 2009
- Prize money of US$250,000. The year's second richest
- A new world #1 would be crowned at the conclusion of this event
- Ideal playing weather for all playing styles
- Joint production with Saudi TV using 8 broadcast cameras
- Countless original coaching & tour insight features with PSA VIPs and top players (named below in the production details)
- FX, replays & 3 soundtrack options (Commentators OFF or ON in English or Arabic)
- Creative features & personal insights on top player and Ziad Al-Turki
- Only the best 8 matches were selected for edits from the 15 matches we filmed
- Two of those are offered free with the all-DVD package
For the background details of this fantastic production, scroll to the
bottom of the page or click here.
8 fantastic DVDs have been produced from the event, here below is the list of matches with a brief description.
Match overview
1) Ashour Vs Matthew (110 minutes)
Magnificent performance from both players, definitely one of the best matches of all times. Attempting to describe it wouldn't do it justice, so we'll let the sample clips tell the tip of the story. Satisfaction guaranteed or money back.
2) Shorbagy Vs Barker (54 minutes)
World Junior Champion Vs a UK master tactician - at bullet pace - hang on to your seats.
3) Matthew Vs Willstrop (70 minutes)
Home-grown rivalry at its peak, and a score to settle - gritty and inventive.
4) Grant Vs Mehboob (71 minutes)
One reaching top 10 - the other climbing fast with the help of his coach squash legend Jansher Khan.
5) Khan Vs Grant (62 minutes)
The young man who recently defeated world # 1 Gaultier on a speed track to the top according to his uncle and coach Jansher - the very same man who predicted he'd dominate the world tour 2 years before he actually did two decades ago, some foresight -will history repeat itself in the family? A solid player was intent on spoiling things for the young climbing star, one Englishman who himself gains in confidence by the day for reaching most major's later rounds. The bets are on... make your call.
6) Matthew Vs Grant (61 minutes)
Team members on the English squad, these players knew what to expect for having spent much time in training together so, as if on cue, both went in creative mode to try fooling the other, and it worked of course, though be it better for one than the other. Good one to pick tips from if your playing partners are often the same.
7) Ashour Vs Walker (38 minutes)
Included as a free bonus with the purchase of the 6-DVD set
Walker didn't appear to be intimidated by Ramy's speedy game, in fact he took it to him trading shot for shot, winner for winner for the best part of the match, just a few tins and timely winners separated them. Hot off the press - the pressure is mounting on tour, join the party.
8) Ashour Vs Shorbagy (32 minutes)
Included as a free bonus with the purchase of the 3-DVD or 6-DVD set
Two world Junior Champs from Egypt who play a similar type of game - one that is inclusive of all the game's basic elements delivered at a gazillion miles an hour. Best not let the playing time mislead you, this exceptional match offers a peak at the future on the men's tour. Thing is though, if you blink watching it, chances are you will have missed a rally or two, so have your dvd player's remote handy...
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Production Details
For this event, DeLierre drew on his vast experience as squash producer & director introducing new filming techniques and methods. As he called into play more dynamic camera angles and immersive replays from control center, he also oversaw the programs' master recordings and satellite outputs to networks for live broadcast inclusive of special effects, 5.1 surround sounds and multi-language commentaries. According to the reviews that poured in during the broadcast, the resulting programs were ground-breaking.
Jean at control with team member
Photo courtesy of Framboise Gommendy.
The players had traveled to Saudi from their previous event in India, wrapping up a most gruelling season. As it turned out, on top of boasting the one of the largest purses ever as incentive, one of the competitors also had shot at becoming world #1 for the first time ever if he succeeded in being the last man standing in the finale. Many matches were out of this world, with some undoubtedly attaining the rank of instant classics.
The production benefited from the exceptional contribution of Saudi Intl' promoter Ziad Al-Turki who stopped at nothing to raise the bar to a whole new level for the tour once again. Indeed, in addition to the notable prize money as well his aid in assisting the production with court graphics, lighting and so much more, he also invested in a new experimental floor for the court which turned out to be a resounding success. A special thanks to Robert Edwards for his contribution as MC for the event and as commentator - one amazing story-teller who has dedicated a good part of his life to the sport, and who in recent years has contributed in raising the tour's prize money through his Middle Eastern contacts and friends. Also, a notable thanks to Erik Zaremba who simultaneously had to manage his engineering duties on the Squashlive.com production, all-the-while manning the lower back wall camera for improved angles and close ups, and to Jeffrey De Lierre who manned the two master cameras used for more than 80% of the live action. Finally but not the least, a heartfelt thank you to Emad Zikri - Atco's liaison maestro and master problem solver, and Hadi Mitri the site engineer for his invaluable help on set and behind the scenes, and to all players and special guests who assisted the production as expert commentators - i.e., Palmer, ElHindi, Barker, Grant, Selby, BengHee, Ashour, Pilley, Barrington, Walker and Duman Al-Turki.
Click here to go to our secure purchase section for pricing details.
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