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All Aussie Final: Ricketts, Price
by Elspeth Burnside Oct 20, 2001
© 2001 Elspeth Burnside and Squashtalk, Photo by Debra Tessier © 2001
[last update was 21-oct-01 ]

Egyptian Pair Fall.
 [Final Women's Draw]     [Men's Draw]

Rickets Running Forward
Anthony Ricketts continued his superb run with a four game win over the no three seed from Egypt, Omar Elborolossy, to set up an all-home country final against Paul Price in the WSF World Men’s Challenge at the Sports and Aquatics Centre in Melbourne, Australia. But while they might both come from the same country, there will still be a bit of needle in the final when Ricketts carries the colours of New South Wales against the local favourite from Melbourne in Victoria. Ricketts, the no nine seed, had knocked out two higher ranked players - including top seed Thierry Lincou - on his way to the last four, and he was again in great form against Elborolossy.

He took the first two games before his rhythm was slightly interrupted in the third when he had to come off court with a bleeding knee. He did drop that game, but battled back to take the fourth and claim an ultimately comfortable 9-4, 9-2, 3-9, 9-3 win in 50 minutes.

"The bandage on my knee did bother me a bit," he admitted afterwards. "But there will be no problem tomorrow."

In the second semi, second seed Price overcame the sometimes rather physical former world junior champion from Egypt, Karim Darwish, also in four games. Darwish did put up a great fight, winning the third and then raising alarm bells in the home crowd when he battled back from 2-8 down to 6-8 in the fourth. But Price held on to clinch victory on the third match ball, 9-2, 9-5, 6-9, 9-6 in 54 minutes.

Now Price will have his sights set on revenge having been one of Ricketts’ victims when the younger man won the Australian Open. "Yes, Anthony’s had a couple of lucky results against me," joked Price. "But I feel I’m playing well and I had a good win today. I’ve struggled a bit with injuries over the last few months, but it would be lovely to win tomorrow. "The main goal is to help Australia win the world team championship next week, and winning this event would be a wonderful way to go into the event." Ricketts isn’t in the Australian team, so he can concentrate 100% on upsetting the local man. "It certainly would be nice to kick his ass again," mused Ricketts.

Results (seedings in brackets)

Semi-finals:
(9) Anthony Ricketts (Aus) bt (3) Omar Elborolossy (Egy) 9-, 9-2, 3-9, 9-3;
(2) Paul Price (Aus) bt (4) Karim Darwish (Egy) 9-2, 9-5, 6-9, 9-6