White Oaks Classic Preview: Sachvie Looking Forward To Busy Schedule

The lone event on the PSA Challenger Tour this week comes from St Catharines, Canada, with the White Oaks Classic taking place from Wednesday, March 30 to Saturday, April 2.

The Challenger 5 level tournament will feature several Canadians in action on home soil, along with players from the Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Mexico and Pakistan travelling to the area for the four-day event.

Daniel Mekbib of the Czech Republic will be the top seed for the competition, with the World No.97 facing competition from the Canadian trio of Nick Sachvie, Michael McCue and Shawn DeLierre. We spoke to Sachvie ahead of the tournament, and the event’s No.2 seed believes that he is started to find some rhythm and some form in his game once again.

“I’ve recently found my form again back on the court. I am someone who builds off confidence and winning matches so initially this season I had high expectations but wasn’t reaching my goals or just finding any rhythm on court,” he explained.

“Majority of that was the slow, dragged on effects of Covid and being in Canada with so many lockdowns but I have adapted to my circumstances and moved back to my home club in Niagara. I am enjoying being on court at the moment, my ball striking and pace of play are back to where they need to be to compete and win events.

“I have a busy schedule coming up and I am looking forward to throwing myself into a lot of matches and tournaments, which is one thing I’ve lacked this year. I haven’t had much match practice so it’s been a bit of a learning curve at times and I can feel my fighting spirit is back.

“These next few months on tour I’d like to propel my game and confidence to new heights with some great results. I’ve had my share of losses and I’m ready to get back to my winning ways which will push me on the right track to reach my goals and move up the ranks.”

Sachvie fell out of the world’s top 100 last summer, due to not playing enough on Tour, and seeing his points come off his average. However, he has found some confidence once more, and is aiming for an assault on the top 100 to get back there, and even possibly to his highest ever World Rankings.

“Being out of the top 100 put a lot of negative thoughts in my head for a period of time. My 6 months off squash and moving back home with little training partners throughout the pandemic took a lot away from my game,” the Canadian added.

“There was no balance in my life and squash is always the main glue that keeps me in the right frame of mind. A lack of events the first half of the season I couldn’t find momentum and I was searching for my competitive fire again.

“It was a rollercoaster but I have found my confidence, my ‘Mojo’ as Austin Powers says, and the fire in my belly to compete is definitely there. I am committed to the game and ready to surge back up to my highest World Ranking of World No.64 and beyond.”

The event takes place from Wednesday, March 30 to Saturday, April 2 at The Club at White Oaks in St. Catharines, Canada. Follow the PSA Challenger Tour on *Twitter* and *Facebook* for daily updates from the event.

First Round Draw: White Oaks Classic
[2] Nick Sachvie (CAN) v Wailok To (HKG)
Allan Nunez (MEX) v [8] Cameron Seth (CAN)
[6] Miled Zarazua (MEX) v [WC] Tyson Schille (CAN)
Jayden Shortt (CAN) v [3] Michael McCue (CAN)
[4] Shawn DeLierre (CAN) v Danish Atlas Khan (PAK)
Matthew Lai (HKG) v [5] Harley Lam (HKG)
[7] Alejandro Reyes (MEX) v Cory McCartney (CAN)
Chung Yat Long (HG) v [1] Daniel Mekbib (CZE)