February 19th 2000, Antibes, France.
by Paul Walters, Squash Marketing Manager, Dunlop-Slanger
Group Ltd.
Three times World Champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald, World Junior Champion Ong Beng Hee , and World Number 4 and English Number one Simon Parke led a 'Rest of the World' team to an emphatic 2-0 win over France in the inaugural two-day Dunlop French Squash Federation Test Series in France.
Capacity crowds at the OS Sannois Tennis Club in Paris on Friday 18th of February, and Antibes Squash & Fitness Club on Saturday 19th February witnessed a dazzling display of world-class squash as the 'Rest of The World' recorded consecutive victories over the host country. The skills of all players left the packed audiences gasping in admiration throughout a series of fiercely competitive yet highly entertaining matches.
Ong Beng Hee began the assault in the 1st Test, beating French number two and world number 45 Renan Lavigne 9/6 9/6 9/7. The talented and unorthodox Corine Castets made Sarah Fitz-Gerald work hard in their opening encounter contest but the Australian, unbeaten in 2000 since her return to competitive play after enduring successive operations to repair damage to her left knee came through to win 9/3 9/6 9/1.
Simon Parke, at number one string, secured a 3-0 victory for the 'Rest of The World', overcoming French number one and National Champion Thierry Lincou, 10/8 9/3 9/7.
In the 2nd Test Ong Beng Hee confirmed his status has a truly world class performer with a clinical 9/7 9/5 9/3 victory over Lavigne, whilst Fitz-Gerald, eager to play her full array of dazzling shots needed only thirty-five minutes to clinch her second successive victory 9/7 10/8 9/2.
The final match of the second Test turned out to be the 'Match of the Series', as Parke's deception and accuracy was matched almost shot by shot by the athleticism of world No11 Lincou. Time and time again the Englishman sent his opponent the wrong way during long and torturous rallies but was unable to prevent a determined Lincou winning in four closely contested games 6/9 10/8 10/8 10/8.
Sarah Fitz-Gerald who played in the last years 'Rest of the World v England' Test Series commented at the post-match celebrations: "This was a great and innovative squash event, which attracted excellent crowds and terrific support. It's great to be involved with a brand that is as pro-active as Dunlop, one which is truly changing the face of the sport."
Dunlop's Marketing Manager Paul Walters added: "Over the past twelve months, Dunlop has shown itself to be the most active and progressive squash brand in the world. Our global commitment to squash, coupled with our unrivalled and unique partnership with the world's very best players demonstrates our determination to raise the sport's profile and increase participation. Our joint venture with the French Squash Federation has proved a huge success and a model which we hope to roll-out in other squash playing countries in conjunction with equally progressive national associations. "
Results of the tests:
Friday, Paris:
1. Simon Parke (ROW) def Thierry Lincou,
(Fr) 10-8, 9-3, 9-7
2. Ong Beng Hee (ROW) def Renan Lavigne (Fr) 9-6, 9-6, 9-7
3. Sarah Fitz-Gerald (ROW) def Corinne Castets (Fr) 9-3, 9-6, 9-1
Saturday, Antibes:
1. Thierry Lincou (Fr) def Simon Parke
(ROW) , 6-9, 10-8, 10-8, 10-8
2. Ong Beng Hee (ROW) def Renan Lavigne (Fr) 9-7, 9-5, 9-3
3. Sarah Fitz-Gerald (ROW) def Corinne Castets (Fr) 9-6, 9-4, 9-0
For further information:
Howard Harding Associates on behalf of Dunlop
Tel: (44) 1737-243333 or (home) (44) 1737-222425 Fax: (44) 1737-222787 DSG
083 Email: HowHard@aol.com 20February 1999
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