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| September 1, 2002 | Sunday | Jamadi-us-Saani 22,1423 |
Arch-rivals clash in today’s final
HONG KONG, Aug 31: England’s world number one Peter Nicol and arch-rival Jonathon Power of Canada will resume their intense rivalry when they meet in the final of Hong Kong Open here Sunday.
Nicol romped past Australia’s Stewart Boswell Saturday, winning the first semi-final 15-9, 15-9, 15-5 in a mere 42 minutes to stay on course for a third Hong Kong title.
Power was kept on court much longer as he battled to a 82-minute triumph over Australian world number three David Palmer who finally caved in with 15-8, 12-15, 15-5, 15-13.
“It will be a good final against Peter,” said Power, the world number two.
“It will be close. I have won the past few times we have met, but this will count for nothing. It is a new match tomorrow.”
Nicol, winner here in 1999 and 2000, was confident that he could turn the Power tide, which this past year has submerged him and left him high and dry seeking answers.
Nicol, 29, has lost the last four times he has played Power — in three finals and a semifinal. The most bitter result was a month ago when Nicol lost the singles gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
“I want to play him and beat him. But if I can’t beat him, then I will have to go back and have a serious look at my game,” said the reigning world and British Open champion.
Nicol was hardly troubled by Boswell who looked a spent force on court after an energy-sapping quarterfinal against Malaysian ace Ong Ben Hee Friday, when he won 3-2 with the final game decided on sudden death.
“That match took the edge out of me. I was not moving well at all today and I couldn’t put any pressure on Peter,” said the 24-year-old Boswell, ranked five in the world.
Compatriot Palmer, the defending champion, put up a better show as he came back from a slow start to level scores before Power raised the tempo again.
The turning point in the match came late in the fourth game with Power serving for the match at 14-13. Palmer was refused a yes-let, one which could have resulted in the scores being tied at 14-14.
“I was unlucky not to take it to five. That call didn’t cost me the match because Jonathon was playing well. But it might have cost me the fourth game,” said Palmer.
Results:
Semifinals (x denotes world ranking):
Peter Nicol (Eng x1) bt Stewart Boswell (Aus x4) 15-9, 15-9, 15-5; Jonathon Power (Can x2) v David Palmer (Aus x3) 15-8, 12-15, 15-5, 15-13.—AFP
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