WORLD SQUASH NEWS

RESULTS: CAS International Squash Championship, PAF Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan

Final:
[2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [3] Mansoor Zaman (PAK) 9-15, 14-15, 15-9, 15-12, 15-14 (82m)

Gaultier Grabs CAS International Title In Pakistan

Proving to be the close final that the world rankings predicted, second-seeded Frenchman Gregory Gaultier narrowly beat Pakistan's No3 seed Mansoor Zaman in the final of the $25,000 CAS International Squash Championship in Pakistan after both players were poised on match-ball at the end of five tense games at the PAF Complex in Peshawar.

Zaman, the left-handed world No18 celebrating his 10th appearance in a PSA Tour final and playing in front of his home crowd in Peshawar, took the opening two games - saving three game-balls to clinch the second.

But Gaultier, the world No17 from Aix-en-Provence in his first meeting with the Pakistani, clawed his way back in the match to draw level. 

In the fifth game decider, local hero Mansoor led 5-1 and 8-5, but each time the Frenchman came back.  Gaultier then raced to 14-10, but Mansoor saved four match-balls to bring the score to 14-14, and match-ball for both players.

To the disappointment of the packed PAF Complex gallery, a cross-court winner from Gaultier after 82 minutes gave the Frenchman his stunning victory in a 9-15 14-15 15-9 15-12 15-14 scoreline.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat, who is also President of the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), was the Chief Guest at occasion and gave away the prizes to the winner and runner up.    

The CAS success marked the sixth PSA Tour title of Gaultier's career in his ninth final appearance.