Power in Full Overdrive
By Martin Brontein
May 13, 2005 All content © 2004 Squashtalk
[last update was 13-may-05 ]

Power Takes Title From Lincou ... Easily

Power was totally on in the final and kept Lincou from estblishing any rhythm. (photo © 2005 Fritz Borchert)

Sad to report, this was one of those finals that never took off. Jonathon Power, with strapped knee and strapped ankle, started in overdrive while Thierry Lincou was still trying to find the ignition key. It was all over in 40 minute with Power taking the winner’s cheque of $22,500, which meant tonight he earned $560 a minute.

He deserves every penny and even though it was a short, disappointing final, the packed auditorium loved the Power performance: his shots, his speed, his wit and his emotional appeals to the referee. He is one of the great performers of squash – maybe even the most entertaining that this sport has ever seen.

Power started quickly, the famous backhand drop gave him his first point, Lincou’s tinned backhand drop gave him second point, a forehand roll corner gave him his third point before Lincou got on the board with a backhand cross court.

Lincou was kept stretched out and off balance. (photo © 2005 Fritz Borchert)

The rallies were never long and we waited for both players to get down to some serious lung-busting. Lincou appeared to get rid of his nerves and took four points in a row to lead 5-4 – it was, sadly a false dawn for the world champion and from that point Power was in control. There was nothing Lincou could do or shot he could play to trouble Power who didn’t hit one dud shot on his way to an 11-7 win, the final point coming on a careless backhand drive from Lincou.

The second game started more promisingly – we hoped it would be a repeat of yesterday when Lincou took a game and a half to get going. But maybe yesterday’s exertions against Beachill were now coming home to roost and everything about Lincou’s body language said that he really wasn’t up for the fight.

From 3-3 Power took control again, chopping in his backhand drops, long drops from the back , high volley drops into the nick and getting to everything that Lincou dished out. The last four rallies of the game were two winners from Lincou to get to 6-9 and then two errors to give Power the second game 11-6.

Power was on target from up high. down low, in the back and up front. (photo © 2005 Fritz Borchert)

Lincou left the court looking grim. We hoped the thought of the French TV crew would spur him on but the energy, determination and grit simply weren’t there. Although the third game lasted nine minutes, the match was over when Power led 6-2 after a few minutes and Lincou was hitting the sort of errors you rarely see him make. Power finished the agony with a jumping overhead volley into the nick to win 11-2. A weary Lincou turned and shook hands and left the court, quite a different player to the one who was full of triumph last night.

Power has had a great year: after losing in the quarters to David Palmer in New York, Power notched up an incredible victory in Bermuda and has now taken the Super Series title despite being the bottom seed. Those who counted Power out last year because of bad results due to injuries will now have to eat their words and consider the Canadian magician is still a major force at the top of the game.

Brit Insurance SuperSeries Finals[complete results]
Finals:
Jonathon Power (CAN) bt Thierry Lincou (FR) 11-7 11-6 11-2

Special Offer! Get the SuperSeries Videos 2003, 02, 00 produced by Jean De Lierre including the great '03 Nicol-Power match.