tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073692396436563116.post8762529836990204764..comments2024-03-19T02:18:25.277-07:00Comments on SERIOUS SQUASH: Sherbini and Shorbagy Chris Haneburyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01740971993871405840noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073692396436563116.post-40217927851735377652014-10-20T09:37:26.834-07:002014-10-20T09:37:26.834-07:00I drove down to Philly from NYC for the semifinals...I drove down to Philly from NYC for the semifinals and finals; it was the first time I'd seen matches at this level live. I decided to take a sidewall seat instead of back wall or front wall, figuring that I'd always get back wall perspective from SquashTV or my club, and that sidewall would be something different. Sat in the front row at the front right corner - I was almost close enough to touch the glass.<br /><br />Such a fantastic angle - you really get a much better perspective on how ridiculously amazing the athletic performance is, compared to the usual back wall TV view. You realize that what looks like a good rally on TV is actually a nearly unbelievable display of human speed and agility - for the first few matches my jaw was slack and I felt like I was watching a Spiderman movie with special effects.<br /><br />So back to the topic of improving TV coverage: sidewall cameras, more camera angles! Back wall and front wall only just do not do it justice. I was sitting with a lot of experienced folks who were all "(yawn) he seems a bit off tonight..." while I was "dude that was %@#^% INSANE!!" with my eyeballs popping out like a cartoon character. If we want to pull in newer folks to the game, we have to show how incredible it is, and there is more dramatic movement up and down the court than laterally, and sidewall angles capture this.<br /><br />As a new player I can't really analyze things technically, but it seemed El Shorbagy just physically overwhelmed Gaultier, who looked a bit off his game. Maybe the #1 position at stake threw off his focus. In the final Shabana started strong but just gradually dwindled as the match progressed. Nicol David was so consistent in almost every aspect that the occasional errors by El Sherbini just added up.<br /><br />Another advantage of sitting towards the front of the court instead of the usual TV angle: you can see the players' eyes and faces, which help tell the story of their emotional state. Lately Gaultier has seemed so in control mentally - total confidence from the General. Against El Shorbagy, Gaultier looked diminished - El Shorbagy looked dominating, relaxed and confident, and ready for the ruthless fun of taking by force the alpha position. He owned the court, and that attitude may have rattled Gaultier and thrown his game off. Clevehttp://www.english360.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9073692396436563116.post-89918549577639785062014-10-19T12:53:15.558-07:002014-10-19T12:53:15.558-07:00Love this blog. Keep up the great work!Love this blog. Keep up the great work!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com