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| December 15, 2002 | Sunday | Shawwal 10, 1423 |
White ends Nicol’s world reign
ANTWERP, Dec 14: The longest world championship reign in men’s squash was brought to an abrupt end in Belgium on Friday when Scotland’s fifth seed John White dramatically crushed former Scottish title-holder Peter Nicol in straight games in the semifinals of the $155,000 Men’s World Open Squash Championship at the Old Handelsbeurs in Antwerp - in just 31 minutes!
Australian-born White will meet Australia’s David Palmer in the final after the third seed was handed victory in the other semi-final when former champion Jonathon Power, the No2 seed from Canada, conceded the match midway through the second game after sustaining a cut above his eye in an accidental clash with his opponent’s racket.
Nicol, the top seed from England, has held the world title since winning it for the first time in Egypt in September 1999 - since when the event, which was launched in 1976 and played annually thereafter, has not been staged again until this year.
White blasted Nicol with a devastating display of attacking squash. The favourite was on the back foot from the first rally - White did not allow the world No1 any control in the match and ultimately carved out a sensational 15-9 15-7 15-10 win and a place in the final for the first time.
“It’s one of my best performances, for sure,” said a delighted White. With Peter you’ve always got to be aware that he’ll just keep going - and before you know it you’re in a five-setter.
I was very patient tonight and held it together once I got ahead, not trying to finish it off too early,” added the Scot, who is based in Nottingham in England.
Nicol, who has beaten White five consecutive times on the PSA Tour since last losing to him on the same court in the Flanders Open in February 2001, was clearly shaken by the loss. “John was just too good tonight,” he said.
David Palmer has been focussed on the World Open, staged in his European hometown of Antwerp, for many months.
He could not, however, of foreseen the route he would take to the final.
Power, the world champion in 1998, started off in great form and quickly established a lead in the first game which he eventually took 15-13.
The second game went point for point up to ten-all, when Palmer played a backhand drive and Power was caught on the eye by his opponent’s racket on the follow-through.
Power went dramatically to the floor and was attended to on court. After inspection by a doctor and a delay of over an hour, it was determined that Power was unable to continue and that Palmer would proceed to the final.
RESULTS: Semifinals: [5] John White (SCO) bt [1] Peter Nicol (ENG) 15-9, 15-7, 15-10 (31m) [3] David Palmer (AUS) bt [2] Jonathon Power (CAN) 13-15, 10-10 ret.—WSF
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