PALMER HAS TOO MUCH FOR WHITE   [masters complete results]

David Palmer had too much from (photo © 2004 Fritz Borchert)

David Palmer of Australia yesterday followed up his strong performance in the Bermuda Open a few weeks ago when he beat current world No.1 John White of Scotland in five long games on way to reaching for the semi-finals of the $120,000 Qatar Masters.

In reportedly the best match of the tournament so far, Palmer, former world #1 and World Open champion, battled White toe to toe, with only 2 total points separating the two after the first three games.

"After the World Open Final of 2002, you would think that we had been blessed enough - but their match took us to the realms of disbelief as they played out the most magnificent match," said a PSA spokesman.

Palmer, who has twice lost the Qatar Classic finals in the last three years, yesterday met White's offensive squash style with his own impressive display of attacking squash to most likeyl push White out of the number one position (combined with Nicol's victory today as well). Palmer prevailed 15-14, 15-13, 14-15, 11-15, 15-10 in 114 minutes to leave White empty handed after his great display against Kneipp the previous day.

“At one stage, I thought I would win the match 3-0, but I was wrong. Everybody saw that John is a player who simply never gives up, no matter what stage of the match. You simply cannot relax against John,” Palmer told the local press.

Palmer and White played completely even in the first two games, Palmer winning the first 15-14 and the second 15-13.

In the third set, White saved three match points at 12-14 down. At 14-all, Palmer selected set-one to set up match ball. But White won that momentum-shifter by laying down a tight drop shot that completely fooled Palmer. With the momentum in hand, White raised the level of his game in the fourth set by running away to a 10-9 lead and later, with more attacking drop shots, White went to 13-11 and finally 15-11 and all even..

Jonathon Power ran out of magic against Lee Beachill (photo © 2004 Fritz Borchert)

However, Palmer appeared to come away on top in the fitness department in game five as he raced away to a 10-5 lead. White, writhing in obvious pain from his bruised knees, rallied to 8-10 but the Australian quickly won five straight points to take the fifth set at 15-10 and with it a slot in the semi-finals.

“I think I had too many points to chase in the fifth set, but I am happy at the way I played my squash this week. Palmer is a good player and knows how to handle pressure situations and today he did just that. He is a World Open champion and he knows how to win matches,” White told local press after the match.

Palmer will now play Lee Beachill of England in the semi-final today.

Yesterday, Beachill topped Jonathon Power, the clear crowd favorite in Qatar, in four games for his first-ever win against the former world #1 Power. Beachill, the Qatar Classic winner in December 2003, yesterday knocked Power out in 70 minutes, winning their quarter-final 15-8, 15-9, 15-13, 15-10. Power won the inaugural edition of the Qatar Masters in 2002.

In the other quarter-finals yesterday, world No.2 Peter Nicol of England beat Greg Gautlier of France 15-6, 10-15,15-7, 14-15, 15-2. Nicol was surprisingly tested by young Gaultier.

Nicol will now meet top seed Thierry Lincou of France in the semi-final yesterday. Lincou won his quarter-final by default after his opponent Amr Shabana of Egypt withdrew from the match because of a leg injury in third set. Lincou was leading 10-15, 15-8, 8-1 when Shabana withdrew

RESULTS (complete results) : PSA Qatar Masters Squash Championship, Doha, Qatar

Quarter-finals:
[1] Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt [5] Amr Shabana (EGY) 10-15, 15-8, 8-1 ret.
[3] Peter Nicol (ENG) bt [11] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 15-6, 10-15, 15-7, 14-15, 15-2
[4] Lee Beachill (ENG) bt [7] Jonathon Power (CAN) 15-8, 9-15, 15-13, 15-10
[6] David Palmer (AUS) bt [2] John White (SCO) 15-14, 15-13, 14-15, 11-15, 15-10

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