Peter Nicol defeats David Palmer  [masters complete results]

Peter Nicol stayed focused against David Palmer (photo © 2004 Fritz Borchert)

In a field crowded with four recent world-number-one's, as well as the current world number one, Scotsman-turned-Englishman Peter Nicol Suday collected the season's richest prize as he defeated David Palmer in the final. Palmer had ousted current number one, John White in the quarterfinal while Nicol had defeated January's world number one Thierry Lincou in the semi final.

Peter Nicol, who signalled that reports of his demise have been greatly exaggerated, returned decisively to his winning ways at the Khalifa International Squash Complex in Doha with a four games victory over Australia's David Palmer in the final of the $120,000 PSA Qatar Masters.

It was a surprisingly straightforward win for the third-seeded Englishman over Palmer, the sixth seed who was still clearly feeling the effects of his two tough earlier battles - a 114-minute five-game quarter-final marathon against title-holder John White, and a close-fought 73-minute four-game semi-final with Qatar Classic champion Lee Beachill.

Nicol, playing in his first PSA Tour event since taking a short two-week break to participate in a charity fund-raising trek at the foothills of the Himalayas, triumphed 15-4 15-7 10-15 15-8 to claim his third successive win over the Australian in a final on the all-glass court in Doha.

"I was impressed with my squash," Nicol told the Gulf Times. "When I came here I was pretty tired. I definitely didn't expect such an easy win in the final," remarked the PSA Masters champion, who won this titel for the second time since 2000.

David Palmer kept at bay by Nicol in the finals (photo © 2004 Fritz Borchert)

The Australian Palmer, who has been plagued by injuries last year and at the beginning of this year , told Gulf Times that he was back in business and would return for the Qatar Classic at the end of the year to have another shot at the silverware on the all-glass court. "This court is not jinxed for me. In fact, this is one of my favourites, I will be back for the Classic," said Palmer.

Nicol's win takes his career PSA Tour title tally to 48 trophies from 66 final appearances. With his half century now only two titles away, and world No1 White ousted at the quarter-final stage in Doha, the former Scot can perhaps also look forward to reclaiming the world No1 ranking when the next PSA list is published in May.

RESULTS: PSA Qatar Masters Squash Championship, Doha, Qatar

Finals:
[3] Peter Nicol (ENG) bt [6] David Palmer (AUS) 15-4 15-7 10-15 15-8

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