Latest Tournament News - Peter Nicol vs. Gregory Gaultier

Welcome to the Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters 2006 presented by Logic and hosted by Endurance - a festival of squash hosted in paradise.

April 7th 2006 - Semi-Finals

Peter Nicol vs. Gregory Gaultier

Edwards introduces the surprise package of the tournament - world number 12 - Gregory Gaultier. He says 'We knew he would fly, we just didn't know when he would launch'.

Edwards then introduces a man of great achievement, a legend in tha game and in the top four all time players. Melbourne (Commonwealth Games) gold medallist - Peter Nicol.

Edwards asks some of the VIP audience who they are supporting. He then talks about Gaultier having the arrogance and confidence of youth, and about not thinking that Nicol would make it this far after his efforts in Melbourne. The second semi-final is on...

Game 1

  • Nicol serving.
  • Players feeling each other out in first rally. Gaultier takes the first point. 1-0.
  • A long rally sees Nicol play a disguised backhand cross-court. 1-1.
  • Another long rally ends with Nicol playing ball into the tin. 2-1 Gaultier.
  • Gaultier under pressure early on in rally, but recovers. Then let play.
  • Gaultier plays a boast at the front sending Nicol the wrong way. 3-1.
  • An overhead volley from Nicol is played into the nick for a winner by Gaultier. 4-1.
  • Great rally ends in a winning shot down the left line from Nicol on the left. 2-4.
  • Nicol awarded stroke. 3-4.
  • Superb disguise on a backhand cross-court from Nicol. 4-4.
  • Gaultier plays an overhead volley into the tin. 5-4 to Nicol.
  • Two great recoveries from Nicol leave Gaultier in commanding position at the front. He plays a winner. 5-5.
  • Marathon rally ends with Gaultier tinning a backhand volley into the tin front left. 6-5.
  • Gaultier tins another easy shot. 7-5 Nicol.
  • Crowd gasp in awe at some of the shots from both players - Gaultier then tins an attempted drop to the left. 8-5.
  • Another mistake from Gaultier - 9-5 to Nicol.
  • Gaultier errors again retrieving a Nicol drop. 10-5 game ball to Nicol.
  • The game ends with another Gaultier error. Nicol wins 11-5.
  • Too many mistakes from Gaultier in the latter stages of the match - they gave Nicol an easy win after a tough start to the game.

Game 2

  • Nicol serving.
  • Gaultier plays a boast from the back left out. 1-0.
  • Gaultier cannot reach a Nicol drop. 2-0.
  • Nicol makes first mistake of game attempting mini-boast at the front right. 1-2.
  • Gaultier tins another shot. 3-1 Nicol.
  • A great rally with good reaction shots from both players ends with a stroke being awarded to Nicol. 4-1.
  • Drop from Nicol front right just too good. 5-1.
  • Volley-drop into the front right by Gaultier hits the nick and dies for a winner. 2-5.
  • Tight shot down the right from Gaultier - Nicol cannot pick it off the wall. 3-5.
  • Long rally ends with Nicol tinning an attempted drop front left. 4-5.
  • Another long rally! Nicol controlling the tee well. Gaultier cannot reach a Nicol drop. 6-4.
  • Gaultier then tins a return of serve. 7-4 Nicol.
  • Nicol plays a ball out. 5-7 Gaultier serving.
  • Gaultier plays a cross-court deep to the right which Nicol cannot pick up. 6-7.
  • Wow. A fantastic rally - great drops, line drives and lobs. It goes on for several minutes, and ends in a let play.
  • Another let play. Some gallic cries of disdain from Gaultier.
  • Another marathon rally - great shots - crowd applauding skill. Ends in a let.
  • Gaultier tins a simple shot. 8-6 to Nicol.
  • A disguised backhand cross-court from Nicol has Gaultier beaten. 9-6.
  • Gaultier tins a volley. 10-6 game ball.
  • Nicol plays ball down. 7-10. Gaultier serving.
  • Controlled rally from Gaultier allows him to play a winner. 8-10.
  • Let play. Gaultier complains to the referee - 'Do you want me to hit him?'. Refereff replies 'No, I don't want you to hit him!'
  • Some cagey drops, then back to down the line play, and a let ball called.
  • Another long rally ends with a stroke being awarded to Nicol. He wins game 11-8. Gaultier unhappy with referee's decision.

Game 3

  • Nicol serving.
  • Gaultier cannot get to a drop front right. 1-0.
  • Disguised cross-court from Nicol takes him to 2-0.
  • Gaultier errors and Nicol moves to 3-0.
  • Disguised backhand from Nicol is a winner. 4-0.
  • Gaultier plays the ball down. 5-0.
  • Gaultier cannot get to a deep cross-court into the back left. He lashes out at the ball in frustration. 6-0.
  • Gaultier hits the tin. 7-0.
  • Nicol goes for a winner and tins it. 1-7.
  • Nicol breaks a string and retrieves a new racquet.
  • Gaultier plays the ball down. 8-1. Then scuffs a ball. 9-1 to Nicol.
  • Gaultier awarded a stroke. 2-9.
  • 2 fantastic winners in a row from Gaultier take him to 4-9.
  • Gaultier controls the tee and plays a shot into the nick front left. 5-9.
  • Some great volleys from Nicol, but rally ends in let call.
  • Gaultier plays the ball down. 10-5 match ball.
  • Gaultier then plays the ball out. Nicol wins game 11-5. He wins the match 3-0.

Post Match Interview
Edwards welcomes Nicol back up. He asks him if he thought he would be playing in the final on the flight back from Melbourne? Nicol says he was just hoping to get on court. He feels physically fine, but mentally tired. Edwards asks Nicol who he rates as the best player in history. Nicol says without a doubt Jansher Khan. Second would be Jonathon Power. He says that they were pretty close right at the end. Edwards asks what was the most special moment. It depends when you ask him. Right now it is the Commonwealth games. He was sixth seed and not favourite. It drained him emotionally, physically and mentally. It was such a long build up for that event. Nicol doesn't regret the fact that he may have missed out on a lot as a youth, but he is slowly catching up!

Our Summary
Nicol was just too good for Gaultier in this match. His fitness looks great, and he was able to cope with the Frenchman's movement and skill. Overall, Gaultier made too many mistakes and looked a little bit frustrated. Nicol was able to capitalise and now meets Shabana in the final.

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