Humber Squash Organisation

Sensational Fightback Sees Palmer Win World Open Crown In Egypt

Howard Harding

Australia's David Palmer came back from the dead to beat Frenchman Gregory Gaultier in tonight's drama-filled final of the Al-Ahram World Open, played out on an all-glass court on the Giza Plateaux in Egypt, with the country's world-famous pyramids providing a stunning backdrop.The PSA Tour's flagship event was back in the sport's most spectacular setting for the first time since 1999 - with the undoubted local hopes that Egypt's 'Prince of Squash' Amr Shabana, the world No1 and title-holder, would feature in tonight's climax. But Shabana's defence crumbled in the previous round when France's bright new hope Gregory Gaultier - a 23-year-old from Aix-en-Provence who had never before reached a PSA Super Series final - pulled off a sensational upset to dethrone the champion in four games. Belying his lack of experience on such a stage, however, Gaultier forged a two-games-to-love lead in the final against Palmer - the experienced 30-year-old world No2 who was making his third appearance in a world final, with a famous victory in 2002 in his adopted home town of Antwerp in Belgium to his credit. Palmer, celebrating his 40th appearance in a PSA Tour event final, dug deep and hauled himself back into the match, winning the third game by the same 11-9 margin as the Frenchman had taken the earlier games, then forcing the fourth into a tie-break. The Australian saved no less than five match balls against him before clinching victory in the game to level the match. By now, the younger Gaultier was almost a spent force. Palmer duly enforced his advantage and wrapped up a remarkable 9-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-10 (6-4), 11-2 victory in 103 minutes to claim the World Open title for a second time. The match - which marks the 18th PSA Tour title of Palmer's career - was not only the longest of the tournament, but the longest World Open final in recent memory.

 

Final: [2] David Palmer (AUS) bt [8] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 9-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-10 (6-4), 11-2 (103m)