Hunt settles for 3-0 victories

Press, 8 November 1978, Page 18

Hunt settles for 3-0 victories

By

TIM DUNBAR

Geoff Hunt, the world squash champion, never goes into a match against any opponent prepared to give away a game, During the final of the New Zealand Open at the North Shore club recently. Hunt trailed 4-7 to the young Pakistani, Maqsood Ahmed, in both the first and second games. At this stage, the 31-year-old Australian suddenly seemed to hit top gear and, in each case, his opponent failed to get past seven. Maqsood led again at 4-3 in the third and was unable to proceed further. However, there can be no suggestion that Hunt was not trying too hard in the early stages. “1 always try to win 3-0." Hunt said afterwards as he sat down to a meal with his attractive wife, Teresa, “but not 27-0.” Maqsood. one of the newest ‘pros’ on the circuit, won the world amateur title last September and is placed at No. .12 in the latest I.S.P.A. (International Squash Players’ Association) ‘form’ seedings.

He is certain to be promoted now having ■. unset both the No. 6, Roland Watson (South Africa), and the No. 10. Murray Lilley (New Zealand), in the North Shore tournament.

The 21-year-old Pakistani has now beaten most of the professionals on the circuit apart from the top five. Hunt, however, cannot see him breaking into that squash elite — at least not in the next 12 ftionths.

Unprompted, Hunt said that the brilliant Rotorua player, Bruce Brownlee, was better placed for that sort of progress.

“There is not the same basis to his (Maqsood’s) game. Bruce is more likely to break into the top,” Hunt said.

Brownlee was far from impressive in the play-off for third place with his countryman, Lilley, but impressed Hunt with his attacking game in the semifinals when he took 17 points off the Australian, losing 7-9, 8-10, 2-9.

A measure of this performance is Hunt’s display in the recent Australian Open when he conceded just six points and eight points in thrashing the Pakistanis. Gogi Alauddin (No. 5) and Mohilullah Khan (No. 3) in his last two matches.

Hunt is perhaps the fastest player in the world on court and certainly the fittest. His dedication to training is his trademark: when he is home in Melbourne. he runs up to 15km a day, including repetition 400 m and 800 m,

does special exercises, swims a lot, and plays up to two hours of squash. This year has been one of his best and he has only failed to win a handful of the 20-odd tourna-. ments he has entered. The 1978 circuit which has taken him — and sometimes Teresa and their 11-month-oid baby, Sarah, — to countless countries, has been financially rewarding (about $40,000) but most demanding.

However, Hunt (32 in March) has no intention of sealing down his physical work at this stage with further tournaments coming up in Singapore and Karachi.

“I’ll keep training.” Hunt said. “I don’t feel like a rest yet.” Most players would, but Hunt seems to enjoy exertion.

“I’m plating fairly well at the moment. It inspires you to do better.”