WORLD SQUASH NEWS

RESULTS: Financially Plumb Squash Championship, Saskatoon, Canada

Quarter-finals:
[1] Martin Heath (SCO) bt [6] Lee Drew (ENG) 15-11, 17-14, 15-3 (55m)
[4] Paul Price (AUS) bt [7] Ben Garner (ENG) 15-9, 15-5, 15-6 (47m)
[3] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [Q] David Phillips (CAN) 15-9, 15-8, 15-11 (37m)
[5] Shahier Razik (CAN) bt [2] Graham Ryding (CAN) 15-13, 15-13, 15-4 (65m)
Semi-finals:
[4] Paul Price (AUS) bt [1] Martin Heath (SCO) 17-14, 15-12, 15-9 (60m)
[3] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [5] Shahier Razik (CAN) 15-8, 6-15, 5-15, 15-9, 15-13 (93m)
Final:
[4] Paul Price (AUS) bt [3] Nick Matthew (ENG) 15-11, 15-13, 15-10 (76m)

Price Wins Plum Prize In Saskatoon

Australia's Paul Price picked up his ninth PSA Tour title when he beat England's Nick Matthew in straight games in the final of the Financially Plumb Squash Championship in Saskatoon, Canada.

The fourth seed from Melbourne made his breakthrough in the event when he despatched Scotland's top seed Martin Heath 17-14 15-12 15-9 in the semi-finals.

Price, who reached a career-high world No4 two years ago after reaching the final of the British Open, faced Matthew in the Saskatoon final after the third seed fought back from 2/1 down in the other semi to beat fifth-seeded Canadian Shahier Razik 15-8 6-15 5-15 15-9 15-13 in 93 minutes.

Price raced to a 10-2 lead in the opening game, but the Englishman fought back to 10-13.  The Australian resumed control to go 1/0 up, then in the second the pair traded points to 12-12 before Price again took the upper hand to take a 2/0 lead.

In the third game, Matthew jumped 6-0 ahead, but Price responded to take the next nine points in a single hand.  With Matthew serving at 10-14, Price crushed a forehand overhead crosscourt into the nick to claim the 2003 Financially Plumb title 15-11 15-13 15-10 in 76 minutes.

Sponsor Bill Plumb reported that the squash was the best he had ever seen and was looking forward to a bigger and better tournament next year, possibly with the all-glass court.