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[Peter Nicol summary and statistics]

by Ron Beck

Peter Nicol entered the squash stage at Grand Central Terminal Feb 3rd 2001 with question marks to answer and momentum to re-establish. He left Feb 9th with the trophy and a dramatic 5th game win over rival Jonathon Power.

There is no question that Jonathon Power had gained significant momentum against Nicol in those past three months. With the epic battle with Power won in New York, Nicol followed by a loss in Antwerp, then a series of suprisingly difficult matches in minor tourneys, followed by a failure in the British Open in June and first round loss to Thierry Lincou in Hong Kong in late August 2001. Thus, the events of 2001 found Peter Nicol slipping to #3 in the world for September 2001, his lowest ranking since 1996.

NICOL'S PRINCIPLES
Peter Nicol exeplifies steady, disciplined, and relentless squash. His hard-working approach to the game and pleasant demeanor have made him a favorite of fans across North America. Approachable off court, Peter Nicol is a great ambassador for the game among junior players.

Matchups between Peter Nicol and his arch rival, Canadian Jonathon Power, have often proved to be disappointing. On almost every occasion, one or the other has immediately gotten the upper hand and driven through to victory.

On the other hand, Nicol's brutal battles with Britishers Simon Parke and Peter Marshall have often proved to be excuisite nail-biters, though more from the uncertaintly of the outcome than from the quality of the squash. Nicol's battle with Simon Parke in June 2000 at the Super Series final in London

NICOL'S STRONG 1ST HALF
Throughout the first half of 2000, it was Nicol who was appeared to have the upper hand against Power. In contrast to Power, Nicol seemed completely durable and seemed to grow stronger with each event as Power suffered from a range of small injuries. But fortunes turned dramatically, starting with the 2001 British Open in October.

NICOL'S DISAPPOINTMENT
On the eve of the Open, Nicol announced his withdrawal, first announced to be due to a stress fracture of his lower leg, but later it transpired that it was merely a muscle or ligament strain. Nicol missed the US Open in Boston, but was back in action at the PNC Investment Open at DelRay Beach Florida; but he uncharacteristically went out quietly in the first round to Rodney Durbach, providing Durbach his best win ever. Nicol seemed uncomfortable and out of rhythm on court in Florida. Nicol reclaimed some of his touch the next week, in Toronto, but was barely able to survive a marathon match with Mark Chaloner in the quarterfinal and succombed quietly to Power in the finals.

NICOL'S GAME PLAN
The Nicol-Power rivalry has been a fascinating one for fans. Power for a period gained mastery of Nicol in 1999 with his inventive attacking game and his wrist-borne deceptiveness.

In response, Nicol remade his entire game, becoming a more attacking player and featuring more variety in his game plan. During the last part of 99 and most of 2000, Nicol parlayed this approach to an evident edge over Power, which he attributed to an edge in fitness.

Power surfaced in the latter parts of 2000 at a new level of fitness and exhibiting more patience in his game. He showed a renewed confidence throughout the fall campaign.

We look forward to an exciting showdown in Boston.

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