WORLD SQUASH NEWS
RESULTS: Harrisdirect Tournament of Champions, New York, USA
Semi-finals:
[1] Peter Nicol (ENG) bt [3] David Palmer (AUS) 15-8, 9-15, 15-12, 15-10 (80m)
[6] Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt [2] Jonathon Power (CAN) 5-15, 15-13, 15-7,
15-3 (58m)
Arader & O'Rourke Women's Open, New York, USA
Semi-finals:
[1] Carol Owens (NZL) bt [6] Tania Bailey (ENG) 9-4, 9-0, ret.
[2] Natalie Pohrer (USA) bt [7] Cassie Jackman (ENG) 9-4, 9-3, 9-2 (37m)
Thierry Topples ToC Title-Holder
Canada's defending champion and second seed Jonathon Power failed to reach
his sixth successive Tournament of Champions final in New York when he was
sensationally beaten in four games by sixth-seeded Frenchman Thierry Lincou
in the semi-finals of the $72,500 Harrisdirect-sponsored PSA Super Series
event at the US city's Grand Central Terminus.
Lincou, who had never before taken a game from world No2 Power - let alone
beat him - hit the ball consistently to length to keep the Canadian out of
the front court where he can be so devastating.
When four-times champion Power took the first game of the match with seeming
ease, it looked as though the much anticipated final line-up with No1 seed
and arch rival Peter Nicol was a safe bet, given that Lincou had played a
tough five-game match to get through to the semis. But a determined Lincou
stayed neck and neck with Power in the second game, and snatched it at 15-13.
"I relaxed after I won that game," said a thrilled Lincou. "The last two
matches I played with Jonathon included some 14-all games, but I had never
won. Jonathon was my nightmare. But after I won the second game, I realized
that it was possible to win the match."
Lincou went on to win 5-15 15-13 15-7 15-3 in 58 minutes to set up a final
clash with England's former champion Peter Nicol. When asked to look ahead
to his match against Nicol, the Frenchman smiled: "How do you say it here? I
am on a roll."
In the other semi-final, world No1 Nicol staved off reigning World Champion
David Palmer with classic squash - including patience, changes of pace,
movement of the ball to the four corners of the court, and most
significantly, brilliant use of the lob throughout the match. The Australian
made good use of the rails, keeping the ball tight on the wall for most of
the match. But Nicol's staying power and use of every shot in his arsenal
was just a touch more than Palmer could handle.
"It was a tough game tonight," said Nicol after his 15-8 9-15 15-12 15-10
victory in 80 minutes. "David was a little bit inconsistent, though. He
gave me the opportunity to hit lots of winners."
The climax will mark the 59th appearance in a PSA Tour final by Nicol - and
one which will maintain his grip on the world No1 ranking - and the 17th of
Lincou's career. Whilst the Englishman has won all but one of his clashes
with Lincou, the one he lost will not be forgotten by the 26-year-old from
Paris - who despatched Nicol in four games in the first round of the Hong
Kong Open in August 2001.
In the Arader & O'Rourke Women's Open, the top seeds prevailed.
Second-seeded Natalie Pohrer earned her berth in the final by defeating
former World Champion Cassie Jackman 9-4 9-3 9-2 in 37 minutes. "I went out
really hard, because I wanted to get on top of Cassie right away," said
Pohrer.
Jackman, who had displayed the fluid movement that had carried her to the
world No1 ranking in 1999 earlier in the event, was clearly not moving quite
so easily against Pohrer. At one point, the newly-crowned British champion
skidded in the front of the court and came down hard against the sidewall
with her back. It was a heart-stopping moment, given that Jackman underwent
back surgery just five months ago. "I felt a bit stiff tonight. This is
only my third tournament since returning to the tour last month, so it's not
surprising. But I am really pleased to have made it as far as the
semi-finals here," Jackman said.
Pohrer's opponent in her 15th WISPA World Tour final will be top-seeded New
Zealander Carol Owens, who was not tested at all by England's Tania Bailey.
After losing the first two games 9-4, 9-0, Bailey retired from the match due
to difficulty breathing - seemingly the lingering effect of a virus that she
has been battling since mid December.
Owens is looking forward the final clash with Pohrer, to whom she lost in the
World Open at the end of 2002. Pohrer claimed victory 10-8 in the fifth
after being down 0-2. "I want some revenge for the World Open," said a
smiling Owens. The top seed and current world No2 acknowledged the
importance of the women's final beyond becoming the 2003 titleholder.
Referring to the announcement last week by five-time World Champion and
current world No1 Sarah Fitz-Gerald that she had withdrawn from the women's
tour, leaving the top spot in the women's game open for the moment, Owens
said, "Whoever wins this match will take over the mantle from Sarah."