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| October 25, 2003 | Saturday | Sha’aban 28, 1424 |
Nicol propels England into semifinal
VIENNA, Oct 24: World No1 Peter Nicol led England into semifinals of Men’s World Team Squash Championship after overcoming long-time rival Jonathan Power in a dramatic opening match marathon in Vienna.
The 2-1 victory over fifth seeds Canada takes England into semifinal against third seed France, while favourites and defending champions Australia will face fourth seed Egypt for other place in the final.
Nicol’s win over Power bore remarkable similarity to his victory over charismatic Canadian in British Open semifinal earlier in the month, when flu-ridden Englishman fought back from 2-0 down to win in 112 minutes.
Nicol won opening two games, then fell away as Power’s racket magic began to take control. Clearly still less than hundred percent fit Nicol was 1-5 down in fifth and looked defeated.
However, in a single hand he reached match-ball, and after 99 minutes claimed his remarkable 9-3 9-3 2-9 4-9 9-6 win to put England ahead.
Third string James Willstrop clinched victory for England with win over Canada’s Shahier Razik, then Graham Ryding claimed a consolation point for Canada by beating Lee Beachill in dead rubber between second strings.
England’s semifinal opponents France survived opening match loss when Scotland’s top string John White, World No2, beat Thierry Lincou. Renan Lavigne levelled match for France with victory over Peter O’Hara before Gregory Gaultier clinched nation’s anticipated place in semis by beating Martin Heath.
Hong Kong’s sensational run came to an abrupt end when they were defeated 3-0 by Australia - and seventh seeds Wales were unable to capitalise on top string Alex Gough’s four-game upset over Egypt’s World No8 Karim Darwish when team-mates David Evans and Gavin Jones both lost, to Amr Shabana and Mohamed Abbas, to take Egypt into semifinals for fifth successive time.
Pakistan failed to even make the quarterfinals when they lost to England 3-0.—PPI
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