SHABANA STOPS WILLSTROP IN FOUR

Amr Shabana defeats Willstrop in four games (photo © 2006 Fritz Borchert.

The first match of quarterinals day in Bermuda pitted new world #1 Amr Shabana against the always tough and creative James Willstrop.

Willstrop was able to take the first game, but Shabana cut out his errors and began moving Willstrop's large frame around. The key point of the match was Shabana's defense of a game ball at 11-12 in the third, leading to a 14-12 tiebreaker win in the pivotal third game.

Much was expected from the quarter-final match between Shabana and James Willstrop, the new world No3 from England - and the clash more than lived up to expectations. Willstrop started confidently and took the first game, but was made to work hard for his early lead.

Shabana got into his stride in the second and drew level - then took an early lead in the third game, and at 9-4 appeared as if he was taking charge.

Willstrop staged a spirited comeback, however, chasing every ball and refusing to capitulate. He managed to level the score at ten-all to force a tie break, but the Egyptian forged a 2/1 lead.

Shabana again took the lead in the fourth, and at 9-5 it 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 match-ball 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.

Peter Nicol gets second straight win over Palmer (photo © 2006 Fritz Borchert.

When Shabana finally took the point to win the match 8-11, 11-5, 11-10 (4-2), 11-8 in 81 minutes, 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.

"It doesn't come any harder than that," admitted Shabana after the match. "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."

NICOL BEATS PALMER
A day after celebrating his 33rd birthday, England's indefatigable Peter Nicol produced his second upset in two weeks over Australia's world No2 David Palmer to reach the semi-finals of the Virtual Spectator Bermuda PSA Masters, presented by Logic and hosted by Endurance.

It was in a dazzling display in Melbourne a fortnight ago that Nicol overpowered the Australian in a 109-minute Commonwealth Games final to win his second singles gold medal.

On the all-glass court at the Jessie Vesey Sports Centre in Hamilton, sixth seed Nicol took just 43 minutes to defeat the third seed 11-5 11-4 11-10 in the quarter-finals of the PSA Super Series Platinum tournament in Bermuda.

The Peter Nicol vs David Palmer contest didn't really develop as expected. Palmer had stated his anticipation of an opportunity to match up with Peter NIcol in an important event in (presumeably) Nicol's final year of PSA tour competition. Left unsaid in Palmer's comments yesterday, was his confidence in his ability to win in the matchup to come. But it didn't unfold that way at all. Unveiling yet another time the focus, determination and precision which has brought Peter Nicol so many big wins over the years, Nicol started very fast and put his determination into highest gear in the third game to collect the win without affording Palmer the opportunity to get into a fourth or fifth frame when he might have tested Nicol's fitness.

The key to the match for Nicol, was his determined control of the center of the court, Palmer's inability to control the pace, leading to a number of points won by Nicol based on disguised shots, and a plethora of errors by Palmer, some forced by Nicol.

Gaultier stops Ong in four games(photo © 2006 Fritz Borchert.

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 the Englishman, 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.

"My aim was to dominate the T," 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 squash - I think it's the best I've ever played.

"Right now, I'm relaxed and enjoying my matches."

Palmer said later: "He didn't miss many shots tonight and hit a lot of winners. He played well."

GAULTIER ADVANCES IN FOUR GAME WIN
Ong Beng Hee tonight couldn't muster the same level of play that he had put forth in his excellent wins over Wael el Hindi and Anthony Ricketts.

Lincou over Matthew in four games(photo © 2006 Fritz Borchert.

Nicol will now face 11th seed Gregory Gaultier for a place in the final after the Frenchman ended Ong Beng Hee's run with an 11-7, 11-4, 10-11 (3-5), 11-5 victory over the Malaysian in 81 minutes.

The 23-year-old from Aix-en-Provence was the last player to beat Nicol - in a 90-minute five-game quarter-final last month in the Tournament of Champions in New York.

"I look forward to playing him again," said Nicol. "I'm going to spend the next 24 hours eating, resting and watching golf. We should have a good match."

In the other quarter-final, Lincou beat England's Nick Matthew 5-11, 11-5, 11-10 (2-0), 11-7 in 66 minutes.

 

Gaultier advances to a semi final berth against Nicol.

RESULTS:        Virtual Spectator Bermuda PSA Masters, Hamilton, Bermuda
[Complete Draw]

Quarterfinals, Bermuda PSA Masters (THURSDAY):
[1] Amr Shabana (EGY) def [5] James Willstrop (ENG) 8-11 11-5 11-10(4-2) 11-8
[4] Thierry Lincou (FRA) def [8] Nick Matthew (ENG) 5-11 11-5 11-10(2-0) 11-7
[6] Peter Nicol (ENG) def [3] David Palmer (AUS) 11-5 11-4 11-10(3-1)
[11] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) def [14] Ong Beng Hee (MAS) 11-7 11-4 10-11(3-5) 11-5