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Ouseph magic hints at
greater things to come
Day One Men's Singles, by Richard Eaton
Rajiv Ouseph had one magic moment during a 21-12, 21-9
win over Robert Kettle which made him look even more like a
champion than when he won the English national title for the
first time last year.
The tall Londoner looked to have been outplayed in the forecourt
when the shuttle was on its way past him with the man from
Surrey breathing down upon him at the net; but Ouseph turned
sharply, flicked his wrist backwards and upwards and created an
outrageous lift which not only got him out of trouble but arced
over his opponent for an unexpected winner.
Ouseph appears to have gained in confidence as well as in the
more tangible qualities which have come from his hard work at
Milton Keynes in a quartet with his new compatriot Carl
Baxter and two Scots, Kieran Merrilees and Gordon Thomson.
 “Physically
I am better, and also in consistency,” he said after his second
win of the day, one which carried him into the quarter-finals of
the men's singles. “I think I've got a lot better.
“I had a couple of good results before Christmas and I've
carried that forward, and had a little break. It would be good
to win the nationals (again) because not many people do that.”
Ouseph didn't say so, but he also wants it to maintain a
momentum which would show that, at the age of 22, he can still
push on and create a significant presence for London 2012.
His movement looked more pressure-creating and more muscular
than a year ago, and although a high proportion of his points
were won at the net, there was one conspicuously well-placed
smash, taking him to match point, which suggested that he may
have more attacking options too.
He next plays Jamie Bonsels, a member of the world class
potential under 21 squad, but Ouseph will have to win twice in a
day again to reach the final.
So will the second-seeded Baxter, whose movement was outstanding
during wins over Chris Dakin of Warwickshire and Tim Vickers of
Lancashire, and who looked good enough to bring about a showdown
with his title-defending sparring partner.
 However
Ben Beckman, another England international, who won twice
in Ouseph's half, and Mark Constable, the former English
national champion, who next plays Baxter, are both in position
to prevent that scenario.
So too is Harry Wright, the third seeded local hope, who
summoned the stamina to recover from a game and 14-15 down
before surviving 16-21, 21-18, 21-11 against the talented Nathan
d'Cruz, another under 21 player from England's World Class
Potential programme.
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