Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters 2006

International Press Release 06-April-2006 - Results

To: International Media
From: Roger J. Sherratt, Press Officer, Bermuda Squash Racquets Association
Date: 6th April 2006

Subject:

Today's Quarter-Final matches at the Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters 2005, presented by Logic and hosted by Endurance, lived up to all expectations and produced two matches of the very highest quality involving the World Open Champion and world #1 Amr Shabana in one, and the Commonwealth Games gold medallist in the other.

Amr Shabana v James Willstrop
With Shabana as World Open Champion and promoted to #1 in April's rankings, against England's James Willstrop who is currently ranked #3,this was a much anticipated match which more than lived up to expectations. Willstrop started confidently and took the first game 11-8 but was made to work hard for his early lead.

Shabana got into his stride in the second and used his stroke playing skills to perfection to coast through 11-5. He also took an early lead in the 3rd game and at 9-4 it appeared that he was taking charge, but Willstrop staged a spirited comeback, chasing every ball and refusing to capitulate. He managed to level the score at 10 all to force a tie break, and continued to pressure Shabana who was perhaps a little unfortunate to benefit from two no lets much to the chagrin of Willstrop.

Shabana again took the lead in the fourth, and at 9-5 in appeared to be all over, but Willstrop simply refused to stop chasing down the ball. The two had the audience gasping as they played a brilliant marathon rally on game point to Shabana that eventually ended on a let. A second rally saw both players giving their all as the young Englishman retrieved the impossible again and again. When Shabana finally took the point he collapsed prostrate on the floor, with his opponent having to lean against the back wall to stay on his feet. This was a superb match, which duly received the standing ovation it so richly deserved.

As Shabana admitted after the match, "It doesn't come any harder than that. You can win some and lose some when you're on the way up, but when you're at the top everyone is chasing you and you can't afford to lose any more. When James is in front he's impossible to beat. You have to make it as hard as you can and wear him down. It all came down to who could play a bit better at the end, and fortunately, today it was me."

Willstrop commented, "That was unbelievable. It was a brutal game, but that's the challenge of squash. I feel like I've lost a little fitness over the last few weeks traveling. I tried hard to come back in the third but a couple of loose balls at the end gave it to him. A rally like that one at the end is gut wrenching. It takes it all out of you. Yes, I'm disappointed to lose this one but it's been an absolute pleasure to play here in Bermuda."

Thierry Lincou v Nick Matthew
After a sluggish start in which he lost the first game 5-11, due in part to a series of unforced errors, Lincou came back in the second while Matthews allowed a few unforced errors to creep into his game. Both played well in the third, reaching a tiebreak which Lincou converted to take a 2-1 lead. A comeback seemed likely in the fourth as Matthew led 7-4 but Lincou fought back and the errors continued for Matthews. Lincou pressed home the advantage and won it 11-7 to take the match and move to the semi-finals where he meets the World Champion and world #1.

Gregory Gaultier v Ong Beng Hee
The first match of the evening session pitted world #10 Gregory Gaultier against #14 Ong Beng Hee of Malaysia who had disposed of the #2 seed, Anthony Ricketts, in three straight the previous day. Beng Hee edged ahead in the first to lead 7-5 but Gaultier began to dominate and did not drop another point in the game. He surged ahead in the 2nd to take it 11-4, and it was in the third that Beng Hee mounted a serious challenge, matching Gaultier in both shots and score to 8 all. It appeared to be all over when Gaultier served for the match at 10-8 but Beng Hee hung in and survived no less than 5 match points as Gaultier faltered in his efforts to finish it off with a winner. All credit to Beng Hee for his patience and persistence in chasing every ball and taking the fourth game on his first attempt, but there was a price to pay when Gaultier re-grouped and was able to play a series of winning drops in the 4th to finish it off 11-5.

"I felt comfortable in the first two games" said Gaultier," but Beng Hee played well to come back in the third. He varied his game and I went for winners and kept missing them so I tried to keep the rallies going. I started stronger in the 4th and he seemed to get tired. I knew it was over at 8-2 but I had to keep pushing to the end. I am very happy to play so well this week."

Peter Nicol v David Palmer
An enthusiastic Bermuda audience had been eagerly awaiting the clash between Commonwealth gold medallist, Peter Nicol, and silver medallist, David Palmer, who has been adopted by Bermudians since setting up residence on the Island. Nicol had appeared somewhat sluggish during the first two games of his match against Karim Darwish in the previous round, and was rumoured to be mentally and physically tired. So much for rumours!

This was Peter Nicol performing at his brilliant best. He completely dominated the first two games, playing superlative squash, chasing down the impossible, and keeping Palmer constantly in motion by playing him wide and deep. Such was his dominance that Nicol, who had been trailing 4-5 in the first game, then proceeded to rattle off seven consecutive points to win the game 11-5, and then took the first five points of the second before Palmer could reply. The second was never in any doubt - 11-4 to Nicol.

Palmer made a determined effort in the 3rd game, led at 9-6, and even had two game balls, but he failed to convert both, and Nicol dug in to end the match in three straight games. This was a gold medal performance by any standard.

"My aim was to dominate the tee," said Nicol after the match " When David steps so far forward I try to get it wide and deep. In the end he just got tired and frustrated. For two and a half games I played exceptional. I think it's the best I've ever played. I had to push really hard in the third and kept pegging him back. Right now I'm relaxed and enjoying my matches." When asked about preparing for his next match against Greg Gaultier, Nicol, said, "I'm going to spend the next 24 hours eating, resting and watching golf. We should have a good match. He beat me in five 7 weeks ago in New York, and I look forward to playing him again."

Palmer said after the match, "I got tired real early. I just didn't have the energy for that type of game. At 10-8 (in the third) I had two rallies I should have won, but if you don't take your chances in the third then it's all over. He didn't miss many shots tonight and hit a lot of winners. He played well."

	Related Links
Latest News Tournament Draw Latest Results PDF Version of this Press Release - Opens in New Window Current PSA World Rankings - Opens in New Window Tournament Top 10 Seeds Tournament Sponsors Schedule of Events Tournament Venues