Latest Tournament News - Peter Nicol vs. Amr Shabana

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. Amr Shabana

Before the Final Robert Edwards introduces Nicol David from Malaysia and Vanessa Atkinson of the Netherlands. Edwards remarks that the ladies will be playing best of three, and will score to 11 (on the WISPA tour they score to 9). They will also be playing on the men's court, which means a 17" tin rather than a 19" tin.

Vanessa Atkinson wins the first game 11-6. Nicol David wins the second 11-8. Atkinson wins the third game 11-7 and the match 2-1.

Robert Edwards asks Vanessa how she enjoys it being World Number one. She says it is great but she has a few years on the other players on the WISPA tour. Nicol David then says that she is also enjoying the tour. She is a household name in Malaysia, as Vanessa Atkinson testifies.

The next event is a PSA Catch Doubles Game. The first team are Australian - David Palmer and his coach, Shaun Moxham. The other team is composed of Dan Jenson, David Palmer's usual doubles partner, and the Egyptian Magician Wael El-Hindi. Words cannot describe the mayhem which follows!

Edwards now talks about one of the best players he has ever seen - Jahangir Khan. He has a racquet signed by Jahangir, and will be auctioning the racquet off. The racquets of the winner and the runner-up of this tournament are also to be auctioned off. All proceeds go to the Junior Programme of the BSRA. The runner-up's racquet is auctioned first for $450 to Steve Thomson of Mailboxes. The champion's racquet is then auctioned for $1250 to Tim Southern of Fast Forward Freight. Jahangir's racquet is then auctioned for $900 to Paul Bullack of Logic Communications.

Robert Edwards now sets the scene for the final. He introduces the Gombeys - Bermuda's traditional Gombey dancers. Whistles and drums fill the auditorium as they come into the court. Their costumes sparkle in the lights, and the drums reverberate inside the four glass walls. The crowd clap, tap their feet and nod their heads in unison with the music.

Robert Edwards introduces the first player - someone very special. He is an MBE, he has won over 50 titles worldwide - and this will be his last ever professional squash match in Bermuda. He is - Peter Nicol. Nicol comes on court and receives a standing ovation.

Edwards now introduces the 'Prince of Cairo' and the double world champion and world number one - Amr Shabana. He also receives a standing ovation. Edwards announces - "Let's play squash!"

Whilst the players warm up Edwards introduces the Chairman of the PSA, Mr Jack Herrick. Mr Herrick says that this is such a special event - a world class organisation puts on the event, and next year (the Worlds) promises to be even more special. Bermuda has organised world class referees, world class court cleaners. But the people who come to see the matches - one of the most knowledgeable squash crowds in the world. Mr Herrick also thanks the sponsors. He also say that the PSA has seen 20% growth - and one of the reasons why is Bermuda. Mr Herrick leaves the stage. The scene is now set. The referee tonight is Roy Gingell.

Game 1

  • Shabana serving.
  • The first rally is a long one - all corners of the court covered. It ends with Shabana playing the ball down. 1-0.
  • Shabana plays the ball down again. 2-0.
  • A fantastic rally has the crowd gasping. A great drop front right from Shabana cannot be reached by Nicol. 1-2
  • Nicol plays a winner to move to 3-1.
  • Wow! Another great rally has Shabana in control first, then Nicol. Nicol wins it with a deep cross-court to the back left. 4-1.
  • Nicol plays the ball out. 2-4.
  • Shabana plays the ball down. 5-2 to Nicol.
  • Stroke to Nicol as Shabana plays a ball back to himself front right. 6-2.
  • A beautiful drop from Nicol takes him to 7-2.
  • Hard-hitting early on, then Shabana plays a drop nick winner. 3-7.
  • Nicol errors and Shabana moves to 4-7.
  • Let play. Then a brilliant cross-court from the front left deep from Nicol is just too good. 8-4.
  • Another rally has the crowd gasping in amazement. It ends in a let play.
  • Another long rally ends with Shabana playing a winning drop. 5-8.
  • Nicol comes out of court and asks the crowd supporting Shabana to stop clapping every time he plays a ball as he will get lets.
  • Shabana plays the ball down. 9-5.
  • A winner from Shabana takes it to 6-9.
  • Shabana attempts to cut-off a ball and cannot get it. 10-6 game ball.
  • Another quick point from Shabana takes him to 7-10.
  • A cagey rally ends with a cross-court boast from Shabana being too good for Nicol. 8-10. Nicol then plays the ball down. 9-10.
  • Shabana denied a let. Nicol wins the first game 11-9.

Game 2

  • Nicol serving.
  • A winning drop front left from Shabana is too good. 1-0. Nicol then tins the ball. 2-0 Shabana.
  • A shot into the nick from Shabana. 3-0.
  • A quick point from Nicol takes him to 1-3.
  • A backhand boast from Shabana beats Nicol on the left. 4-1.
  • Let play. Then a great rally has Nicol recovering to play a deep shot to the back which Shabana cannot pick up. 2-4.
  • A winner of the return of serve from Shabana. 5-2.
  • Tee control from Shabana allows him to play an uncontested boast. 6-2.
  • Shabana kills a cross-court. 7-2.
  • Nicol gets a quick point. 3-7. The another to move to 4-7.
  • Let call from Shabana denied. 5-7.
  • A tight ball from Nicol down the right side is too good. 6-7.
  • Boast at the front from Shabana is too good. 8-6.
  • Shabana gets another point to move to 9-6. Then Nicol tins a return of serve. 10-6 match ball.
  • Another tinned ball from Nicol. Shabana wins game 11-6.

Game 3

  • Shabana serving.
  • Quick point to Shabana. 1-0.
  • Volley drop from Nicol front left. 1-1.
  • Shabana puts Nicol under intense pressure back right then drops a winner at the front. 2-1.
  • Superlative drop from Nicol front left. 2-2.
  • A drive into the nick from Shabana. 3-2.
  • Nicol drops front left - Shabana cannot get to it. 3-3.
  • Some great recoveries from Nicol under pressure. Then Shabana tins a volley. 4-3.
  • Another tin from Shabana. 5-3.
  • And another. Nicol leads 6-3.
  • Nicol fails to make a boast back left. 4-6.
  • Nicol errors on a simple drive down the left. 5-6.
  • Shabana plays a ball right into the back left corner. 6-6.
  • Nicol now tins a ball. 7-6 Shabana.
  • Nicol awarded a stroke when Shabana plays a drop back at himself. 7-7.
  • Nicol denied a let. Shabana leads 8-7.
  • A boast from the back left from Shabana catches Nicol off guard. He lunges for the ball but does not reach it. 9-7.
  • Nicol tins attempted drop front right. 10-7 Shabana game ball.
  • Shabana wins the next point and takes the game 11-7. He leads 2 games to 1.

Game 4

  • Shabana serving.
  • Let play. 0-0.
  • Superlative disguised drop front right from Nicol. 1-0.
  • Shabana tins a ball front left. 2-0.
  • Stroke to Nicol. 3-0. Shabana disputes it.
  • Shabana tins a return of serve. 4-0 Nicol.
  • Another tinned shot from Shabana front right. 5-0.
  • Winning disguised line drive down the right from Nicol. 6-0.
  • Shabana tins an attempted cross-court drop. 7-0.
  • Spinning backhand from Nicol stuns the crowd and Shabana. 8-0.
  • Soft drop left court. 9-0.
  • Shabana tins ball. 10-0. Game ball.
  • Shabana plays into nick at left. 1-10.
  • Shabana kills a long drive. 2-10.
  • Shabana tins an attempted shot. 11-2 game win for Nicol. Two games apiece.

Game 5

  • Nicol serving.
  • Nicol awarded a stroke after Shabana plays a poor shot and comes into Nicol's line. 1-0.
  • Some great lobs and drops - Shabana wins rally with disguised cross-court. 1-1.
  • Nicol struggles to take a ball off the wall. Shabana capitalises with a drop front right. 2-1.
  • Long rally - crowd in silence - Nicol under pressure from Shabana on the tee. Let play after fantastic recoveries from both players. Crowd applaud.
  • Drive from Shabana too strong. 4-1.
  • Nicol scuffs a ball on the right down. 5-1.
  • Nicol under pressure again. Shabana plays a cross-court into the nick for a winner. 6-1.
  • Let play. Then Nicol, in control at the front left, hits a shot into the tin. 7-1 Shabana.
  • Nicol plays a superb drop which has Shabana stretching. 2-7.
  • Forehand nick shot from Nicol. 3-7.
  • Hard-hitting shots down the right. Then Nicol plays the ball down. 8-3 Shabana.
  • Set of drops leaves Shabana exposed on right. Nicol drives a winner left. 4-8.
  • Nicol hits the tin attempting low boast on left. 9-4 Shabana.
  • Shabana tins attempted drop front right. 5-9.
  • Nicol anticipates cross-court and kills the ball. 6-9.
  • Great rally! Nicol plays a great drop left, Shabana tins the return. 7-9. Crowd roaring.
  • Let play. Shabana not happy with call.
  • Nicol plays ball out. 10-7 match ball.
  • Shabana attempts to cut off cross court and tins a ball front right. 8-10.
  • Kill volley from Shabana off a Nicol cross-court wins him the game. 11-8.
  • Shabana wins match 3-2.

Trophy Presentation
Edwards talks about the amount of sweat spent on the court. He asks the audience to give all 32 participants a round of applause. Edwards says that a tournament is run by many peopel. Some people sit in the hot seat - the referees. Each of the tournament referees is introduced. Edwards says that more than 200 people are involved in the organisation of this event. Edwards introduces three representatives for them - Marc Deverteuil, Facilities Manager, Tournament Director Ross Triffitt and Tournament Chairman Kim Carter. Robert Edwards then mentions three sponsors - Virtual Spectator, Logic and Endurance. He also thanks all the other sponsors. Ian Sharper, President of the BSRA, is now asks to escort Dale Butler, MP, and Doug King, CEO Investors Guarantee onto the stage. Dale Butler says he is very happy with the tournament and congratulates the organisers. Doug King says it has been an honour to work on this tournament. Mr King says that what the volunteers have achieved is awesome. Mr Edwards then talks about how the Virtual Spectator team have really worked hard. Mr King thanks Curtis Worthy and the team at ImageAction for all their hard work. Robert Edwards presents Doug King with a signed racquet. Mr King then presents a Sony PSP handheld to Robert Edwards.

Peter Nicol now comes on stage. Another standing ovation. Now Amr Shabana is introduced - the new Masters Champion. Peter Nicol now speaks and thanks everyone for a fabulous event. Amr Shabana is then handed the microphone. Shabana begins by thanking Nicol - a legend of the game. He thanks God for the win. He thanks the sponsors and hopes they double or treble the prize-money next time! He also thanks the sponsors, the volunteers, and the crowd. lstly, he thanks his number one fan - his wife.

Amr Shabana is presented with the Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters 2006 trophy.

Robert Edwards signs off saying that we will come together next year for the World Open - the largest tournament in squash. He has postponed his retirement to be here for the PSA Wold Open in Bermuda in 2007, and he hopes everyone will join him for the event.

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