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Irish Open 2001 Draw/Results Qualifiers 1st Round Quarters Semis Final Reports Player Profiles updated 28-May-2001	Peter Nicol and John White in a great duel. Palmer dominates Evans.		Squashtalk Pro Squash Headlines Event Engine Squash: Tourney of Champs US Open YMG Capital Classic World Men's Open Qatar Classic Cathay Pacific Superseries Qatar Masters '02 British Open Pakistan Open Macau Open Melbourne 01 Al Ahram Video recordings Player profiles Rankings Calendar

	Independent Squash News By Edel Costigan May 26, 2001, Dublin (Content © 2001; Photos © 2001 Debra Tessier - Squashphotos.com)

		Irish Squash Open 2001 [Current Draw] Peter Nicol and John White - a Wonderful Exhibition John White showed all Ireland his ability to challenge the very best players in squash, but fell just short in a heartbreaking, ninety-minute attempt today. The Fitz-William Open had it all today: Great venue, knowledgeable and enthusiastic crowd, and superlative play. Peter Nicol and John White gave a peerless demonstration of precision squash, with wall-to-wall play, breathtaking shotmaking, and exhausting retrieving. Three of the four games went to a tiebreaker, and each could have gone either way. In game one, both players moved the ball up and down the rails, with confidence and accuracy, interspersing that with well timed drop shots. Holding the advantage at 14-9, Nicol ended the first with a backhand cross court shot that died in the back corner. In game two, though, White was stronger, moving ahead to a 12-6 lead. Nicol showed his trademark steadiness and determination, first working his way back to 9-12, then after White had reached 14-9, Nicol steadily worked back to a 14-14 tie. Nicol tinned the next point, followed by a White winner bringing the score to 16-14. At 16-15 White evened the match with a powerful forehand winner AN EVEN HIGHER LEVEL The third game had no such streaks. White and Nicol traded points back and forth, with every point played at the highest level. With White up 14-13, Nicol earned a stroke to draw even. White again took the advantage, 16-14. But another stroke to Nicol brought him to 15-16. The next point saw Nicol moving White all over the court . Then, perhaps the critical point of the entire match, at 16-16, Nicol served and White attacked the return, tinning his return to give Nicol the game and the advantage 2-1. WHITE'S LAST STAND In game four, White again attacked, took the initiative, and took the advantage to 10-5. But the next point seemed to get Nicol back into it as he won the point and the momentum to stand at 6-10. Nicol finally evened the score at 11-11. White attacked again and took the lead and a wonderful attacking cross court overhead winner gave White the lead at 14-12. Nicol evened it up again at 14-14 and took the lead at 16-14. The next point was undoubtedly the best point of the match. It had everything - attack and defense by both players, movement all over the court. When it ended, White had missed on a brave backhand drop attempt and Nicol had escaped with his skin, in an amazing four games. MUSICAL #5 World number five Paul Price, a first round loser this week, was a winner with the guitar, entertaining the crowd in the interlude between matches. He sang the Matchbox 20 song Dear John. ANTICLIMAX FOLLOWS After the energy created by White and Nicol, the matchup between two of the tallest men on the circuit, David Evans from Wales and David Palmer from Australia. Evans said after the match, "I had a strategy in mind, and tried a few things but I just couldn't get into it today." It was definitely an off day for Evans, as David Palmer was dominant, winning in three, and giving him a big opportunity to take on Peter Nicol, who certainly had to work much harder today. Results - FitzWilliam Irish Open 2001 Semifinals - May 26 [1] Peter Nicol def [6] John White 15-9, 15-17, 17-16, 17-15 [4] David Palmer def [3] Davide Evans 15-8, 15-10, 15-6 Quarterfinals - May 25th [1] Peter Nicol def [Q] Lee Beachill 15-10, 11-15, 15-13, 15-10 [6] John White def Derek Ryan 15-10, 12-15, 15-8, 12-15, 15-11 [3] David Evans def Paul Johnson 15-8, 15-9, 15-8 [4] David Palmer def Martin Heath 15-14, 10-15, 15-8, 15-10

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