Top Seeds Triumph in Prague
June 19 2005, by Howard Harding
Squashtalk Independent News; © 2005 SquashTalk LLC
Photo © 2005 Debra Tessier

Gaultier & Atkinson Fulfill Seedings, Gain Titles

The two favourites captured the titles in the European Individual Championships when France's Gregory Gaultier successfully defended his men's title in the European Squash Federation event in the Czech Republic capital Prague, and Netherlands world champion Vanessa Atkinson lifted the women's trophy for the first time.

Gaultier, the 22-year-old world No12 from Aix-en-Provence, maintained his straight games run in the event when he beat local hero Jan Koukal, a 3/4 seed from Prague, 9-5 9-0 9-1 in 49 minutes.

It was a disappointing outcome for Koukal, who celebrates his 22nd birthday on Monday. The defeat was his first loss in an international event on home soil since winning the first of three PSA Tour events in his home city in February 2004.

After winning the world title in December, and her eighth Dutch national crown in February, Vanessa Atkinson completed a notable set when she defeated England's British national champion Linda Elriani 9-7 9-7 9-3 in the women's European final in Prague.

It was a repeat of the world number two's victory over Elriani, the world No6, in the European Team Championships in the Netherlands in April - but then England went on to defeat the Netherlands to maintain their life-time grip on the European team trophy.

RESULTS: European Individual Squash Championships, Prague, Czech Republic.

Men's final:
[1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [3/4] Jan Koukal (CZE) 9-5, 9-0, 9-1 (49m)
Third place play-off:
[3/4] Peter Barker (ENG) bt [2] Bradley Ball (ENG) 9-4, 9-5 (24m)

Women's final:
[1] Vanessa Atkinson (NED) bt [2] Linda Elriani (ENG) 9-7, 9-7, 9-3 (40m)
Third place play-off:
[3/4] Pamela Nimmo (SCO) bt [3/4] Rebecca Botwright (ENG) 4-9, 9-6, 9-2, 9-6 (42m)

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