WORLD SQUASH NEWS

RESULTS: Volvo Motor City Squash Open, Detroit, USA

Final:
[1] Jonathon Power (CAN) bt [2] Thierry Lincou (FRA) 14-15, 15-7, 15-5, 15-7

Power Reaps Lincou Revenge In Detroit Final

Canada's world No4 Jonathon Power shrugged aside two recent losses to fifth-ranked Thierry Lincou by beating the Frenchman in four games in the final of the $30,000 Volvo Motor City Squash Open in Detroit.

After losing a thrilling first game in a tie-break, the Canadian took a stranglehold on the match and ran away with the next three games to pocket his first Motor City Open crown 14-15 15-7 15-5 15-7.

An overflow crowd packed the Birmingham Athletic Club grandstand to see a re-match of Lincou's epic five-game victory over the five-times Canadian National champion in last weekend's US Open quarter-finals.  Both of the top seeds had swept through the Motor City draw without the loss of a game, although No2 seed Lincou had faced stiff challenges from English qualifier James Willstrop and 6th seed Mark Chaloner in the early rounds.

As in Boston, Power got off to a quick start in game one.  But at 5-2 up, Power fell hard, clutching his right angle.  Grimacing, the Canadian walked it off, but the incident seemed to break his momentum - and suddenly Lincou was right back in it.

Controlling the tempo, the determined Frenchman from Paris battled Power to 8-all before pulling out to 14-12 and game ball.  Two Thierry tins later, however, and it was suddenly 14-14.  Lincou asked for no set, and this time it was Power who tinned a forehand, handing the game to Lincou. 

"That first game was a tough. Thierry set a tough pace and hit very precise shots," said Power after the match.

Game two was a different story.  Throwing a dizzying array of soft boasts, tight drives, and drop shot winners at his opponent, Power leapt to a 9-4 lead, and cruised to a 15-7 second game win.  "I felt his legs go in the second game," said the 29-year-old from Montreal.  "So I started moving him around.  I felt I could drop him more without his putting pressure on me."

Lincou, apparently feeling the stress of a long week of squash, admitted his fatigue:  "I think I got mentally tired," said the world No5.  "He was definitely up for the match, and I just suddenly felt tired and mentally let it slip."

Power kept up the pressure in games three and four.  Lincou dug deep, but Power's pace was relentless, and again a bushel of Lincou errors brought Power to match ball at 14-7.  Lincou missed again, and Power raised both fists into the air in victory.

Accepting his trophy after the match, a gracious Power said:  "We don't play a lot of clubs on the circuit, so it's nice to come to the Motor City.  The crew here is outstanding, and we are treated first-class."

Power's win, his 31st in his 52nd PSA Tour final, will be a confidence-booster on the eve of the British Open which gets underway in Nottingham on 1st October.  The charismatic Canadian takes on England's Mark Chaloner in the opening round and is expected to face his great rival, the world No1 Peter Nicol, in the semi-finals.