SquashTalk > Qatar Classic 2001, Doha, Qatar >Final Report, Howard Harding

Qatar 2001

PSA Draw/Results
WISPA Draw
Reports
Qualifiers
Day One
Day Two
Round of 16
Quarters
Semis
Finals

PSA Profiles
WISPA Profiles

WISPA Day 1
WISPA Quarters
WISPA Semis
WISPA Finals

Walkers Notebook:
  One
  Two
  Three
   Four

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

NICOL & FITZ-GERALD TRIUMPH AS FAVOURITES FALL IN QATAR

by Howard Harding, Oct 8 2001, © 2001   [Sarah Fitz's Report]   [see Chris Walker's Notes and thoughts] (photos from QatarClassic Squash.)

Peter Nicol of England and Sarah Fitz-Gerald of Australia clinched the first Qatar Squash Classic titles in Doha, in both cases upsetting their events' top seeds in devastating style. Nicol, the world No3, boosted his chances of regaining the No1 position he lost to his opponent David Palmer last month when he beat the Australian 15-12, 15-5, 10-15, 12-15, 15-10 in the $140,000 men's event final.

The 98-minute victory marked the former Scot's sixth PSA Tour trophy success this year and his fourth after overcoming British Open champion Palmer en-route to the title.

"I have played three finals in Doha and this is my first title and naturally I am very happy," said Nicol as he received his trophy. "It wasn't easy since Palmer is a very tough guy to beat - he doesn't give up. I told myself I shouldn't lose another final in Doha, and I am mighty relieved that I won," Nicol added.

Fitz-Gerald, the women's world number one, crushed world No2 Leilani Joyce 9-0, 9-2, 9-1 in only 32 minutes on the centre court to avenge the loss to the New Zealander in August's Hong Kong Open.

"I did not allow Leilani to get in to the match and that perhaps surprised her a lot. She was very nervous and I capitalised on that," said Fitz-Gerald after winning the $60,000 women's title - her 47th title on the WISPA World Tour.

"Since returning to the World Tour last year following surgery on my left knee, I have trained harder than at any time in my career. Reclaiming the World No1 ranking and winning today has given me tremendous confidence going in to the World Open next week, but my goal has always been to win in Melbourne and I am 100% focussed on trying to win the title in front of my home supporters," added the three-times former world open champion.

[Full draw]

RESULTS: Qatar Squash Classic, Doha

Men's final:
[3] Peter Nicol (ENG) bt [1] David Palmer (AUS) 15-12 15-5 10-15 12-15 15-10 (98m)
Women's final:
[2] Sarah Fitz-Gerald (AUS) bt [1] Leilani Joyce (NZL) 9-0 9-2 9-1 (32m)

COLLEGE USA
Schedules
Team previews

DEPARTMENTS
Latest news
Tournament Calendar
Bronstein Global Gallery
Player of the month
Videos
History
Pakistan Squash
School Squash
Camp Index
Features Index
Player Profiles
Worldwide Clubs
Worldwide Links
Rankings
Jobs

More Good stuff:
About Squash
   Just starting
Books
Juniors Squash
Women's Squash
Regional Reports

Squashtalk.com All materials © 1999-2003. Communicate with us at info@squashtalk.com.
Published by Squashtalk LLC, 95 Martha's Point Rd. Concord MA 01742 USA, Editor and Publisher Ron Beck,
Graphics editor Debra Tessier Send comments, ideas, contributions and feedback to the webmaster.
Copyright © 1999-2003 SquashTalk, all rights reserved, may not be reproduced in any form except for one-time personal use.