Winds of Change Blow Through
Nov 20, 2004 Exclusive to SquashTalk by Ryan Barnett, SquashTalk Independent News Service © 2004 

A New Name on the Canadian Classic Silverware

For the first time in three years Jonathon Power's name will not be engraved on the silverware. After an 80min see-saw affair Thierry Lincou the World #2 from France lived up to his ranking and emerged the victor in the final of the Pace Savings and Credit Union Canadian Squash Classic.

The first game began with Power storming out an taking things to the Frenchman building a 7-2 lead. All Power's shots were finding the mark and despite a five gamer in the semis he was moving fluidly. Lincou, by his own admission, was struggling with the late start times, jet lag, and was finding it hard to get into his rhythm during the early stages of his matches all week long. Well after the surge from Power he appeared to wake up and took the next five points in succession to level the score. On the ensuing rally Power read the play perfectly stepped over to his forehand, intercepted the cross, and gently feathered in the drop. Lincou asked for the let and was rightly denied by referee Graham Waters. Power in the lead once again went on the attack and at 9-7 had his foot accidentally stepped on by Lincou. Power won the point to get to game ball and from my perch looking through the front wall was clearly in some discomfort. Lincou sensing this responded with the next two points making things tight. Power closed out the opener with a beautiful winner. A backhand volley crosscourt that nicked.

Between games the media was told that Power's injury was a hyperflexed big toe. Amazing that they can determine those type of things in such a short time isn't it? Power said this wasn't an issue, "My foot got numb but once the blood started flowing I was okay" Anyways Game #2 began and there was little to choose between the two combatants. With the score tied 3-all Lincou went on a nice 3 point run. Power fought back and the score once again stabilized at 8 and then 9. On the next rally Lincou is denied a let on the backhand side going for a Power drop as he wasn't close enough to the ball according to the explanation provided by Waters. Power was now at game ball and had a glorious opportunity to take a 2-0 lead. He missed his chance as Lincou was awarded a stroke on a fat shot through the middle. That meant a tiebreaker was necessary to decide the 2nd. After a long punishing rally the identical scenario appeared along the backhand wall that occurred 2 points previous. Difference this time is that it's Power who requested the Let. Same decision was given by Waters. "No Let" boomed over the PA meaning the score was tied yet again this time at 11. Consistency in officiating is a beautiful thing. Another great rally followed. Lincou hit a wide crosscourt that caught Power by surprise as the Dunlop racket reached out but struck nothing but air. Game ball for the Frenchman and once again, in the same spot, the same scenario along the backhand wall and the same decision given. Lincou wins Game #2 13-11.

We now had ourselves a best of three affair and the drama built. Early in the third Lincou showed why he is ranked #2 in the World. He was controlling the T perfectly and making Power do most of the work. Lincou said, "Tonight I had the response to most of his attacks. I was really focused and prepared to counter his drops, his short shots, and make him work. I had good deception in the front and I'm waiting to see the video as this was one of my best games against him." With Lincou up 7-2 Power was definitely showing signs of injury and was clearly laboring as Lincou forced him to go side to side. A slip at full stretch earlier the most logical culprit. Power said it was the stabilizing muscles in his leg that were causing him grief. "All my stabilizing muscles weren't holding me in place I was off balance I couldn't stay in my position to hit a clean shot the whole match. I couldn't move like I moved all week, I couldn't get on the ball early, couldn't lunge. It was a terrible situation" Lincou took the pivotal third game by an 11-6 margin.

AN INJURY BUG
The injury bug appeared to have struck yet again as it did repeatedly over the course of this tournament. Many figured that Power wouldn't even take the court for Game #4 but take the court he did. Power stormed out to 6-2 lead showing that he wasn't about to relinquish his title without a fight. Lincou didn't know what to think saying, "At times he looked a bit injured and then he tried so I don't know what happened to him. If anything you need to be really focused, you know, even if he plays a little bit with the crowd, the ref or with himself. You just never really know with him" Lincou managed to refocus and tied things at 7. Power then saw the momentum swing back his way. He rattled off the next four points in a row and when he hit his forehand to length to tie the match clenched his fist and knew victory was just a game away.

For the 2nd straight year the tournament goes right down to the wire providing the fans with maximum value. Last year Power beat an injured David Palmer. Some have said, "What goes around comes around it's only a matter of time" Well Lincou established the early 3-1 lead in the fifth and deciding game, he stretched things to 7-5 at which time Power leveled the score. On the next rally Power is awarded a stroke and has his first and what would turn out to be his only lead of the game. A backhand into the tin followed by a No Let to Power gave Lincou a 9-8 advantage. Lincou sensing his opportunity promptly hit a back-hand crosscourt volley straight into the nick. Game ball. Power's backhand drop which had won him so many points found the tin and Lincou took the match and pocketed the cheque for $8000US..

Post match Lincou commented "This feels really great. To beat Jonathon here in his homeland, especially in front of this crowd means something very special to me. To beat Jonathon you really have to play your best squash and I think that's what I did. Throughout the tournament I think my level just went up and up and it was good for me that I had my peak in the final so you know, I'm very glad"

Power obviously disappointed with the result and his subsequent injury didn't see things the same way, "I don't think it was a very good match for either of us" Power stated, "I thought it was really scrappy, a lot of tins. I played him when he's played allot better. Today was one of those days when you get to the final and you've played too many hard games to get there and weren't fit enough to perform the way you want to"

As is the case in any 3-2 match it could of gone either way. Thierry Lincou gets full marks for the victory and should be a force at the upcoming World Open. As for JP. One can only hope that this latest ailment won't sideline him for any extended length of time? He missed last years Open with a fractured hand and the year before was struck by a racket in the semi-final stage. Great job (as per usual) by John Nimick and Event Engine as the tournament was run smooth as silk. Nimick gets the final say telling me "Next year will be even better"

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