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| August 22, 2003 | Friday | Jumadi-us-Sani 23, 1424 |
Gaultier surprises Mansoor to lift crown
PESHAWAR, Aug 21: Second seed Gregory Gaultier of France stunned Mansoor Zaman to clinch the coveted crown of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) International Squash Championship at the PAF Squash Complex on Thursday.
Gaultier received a cash prize of $4180, while Mansoor pocketed $2,860.
In what was a closely contested match Mansoor took the first two sets but failed to maintain lead as Gaultier rallied three consecutive sets to seal the fate of his rival at 3-2.
Mansoor took the first game 15-9.
In the second game Mansoor saved three consecutive game points before winning 15-14.
However, after taking the first two games, Mansoor failed to maintain his rhythm.
Gaultier made a comeback run by winning three consecutive sets to stun Mansoor.
Both the finalists tried their best for single points as Mansoor did not read Gaultier’s wrist work while hitting the drops and nick shorts.
It was Mansoor, who opened the account in the set by racing up to 0-4 but Gaultier tied the tally 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 7-7, 8-8, 9- 9, 10-10, 11-11, 12-12.
At 12-12, Mansoor hit the tin twice and a miss reception which steered Gaultier to tie the tally 2-2.
In the fifth and decisive set, the Frenchman, who was playing for the first time against Mansoor, went full strength against Mansoor. Mansoor kept his cool and raced upto 1-5, but the Frenchman tied the tally 5-5.
Mansoor again reached to 5-8 but Gaultier after levelling the tally at 8-8 jumped to 10-8, 12-10, and 14-10. On this occasion again Mansoor came back by saving four match points to tie the tally at 14-14.
After 14-all, Mansoor signalled set-one which was nicely defended by striking Gaultier in the decisive set by hitting a cross court smash but Mansoor was unable to pick it up and thus Gaultier won the decisive set by 15-14 to make it 3-2 in the set tally.—APP
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