September 26, 2007	Wednesday	Ramazan 13, 1428

MANCHESTER, Sept 25: Gregory Gaultier became the first Frenchman in the 75-year history of the world’s oldest tournament to win the British Open when he beat his friend and compatriot Thierry Lincou in a highly-charged final.

The World Open runner-up from Aix-en-Provence beat the former world champion from Marseille 11-4, 10-12, 11-6, 11-3 in a final which both men found difficult, especially when the match threatened to boil over in the tight second and third games.

Gaultier eventually won because he was slightly more creative, especially at the front, but he might have allowed his marginal superiority over the well-ordered older man to slip away amidst the emotion of two or three controversies.

“I almost want to cry,” said Gaultier. “It’s unbelievable. It’s one of my dreams to win this title. After the World Open this was my second target, so it’s my biggest win ever.”

Gaultier won the first game well but was being contained and moved around more by Lincou when at nine-all in the second he took exception to a let decision given to his opponent.he’s stitched me up,” Gaultier complained after an appeal to the three-referee panel failed to overturn the decision.

Lincou sneaked that game with a volley drop and a drive into the nick, but not before Gaultier hit Lincou with the ball after allowing it to come off the back wall - usually a situation in which players stop the rally and replay it.

Gaultier may have noticed Lincou’s annoyance for he declined to ake the point and insisted in playing a let, to much applause from the crowd.

Twice in the pivotal third game however Lincou he was hit by a Gaultier moving fast and determined to show to the referees that he could get to the ball.

Once Gaultier rubbed Lincou’s face and patted his head in apology and on the other occasion Lincou walked in circles rubbing his leg himself and giving a quick stare at Gaultier.

Gaultier was also spoken to twice by the referee and told to settle down, but none of this detracted from the brilliance of the younger man’s play.

The fourth game was always his from 4-3 onwards and he finished with a brilliant spate of front court plays, coupled with blistering court coverage.

No wonder he finished looking amazed and delighted. It was his first title of the year.

Lincou beat David Palmer, the world champion from Australia 5-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-7, with a typically well-constructed tactical performance and Gaultier overcame Amr Shabana, the world number one from Egypt, 11-9, 5-11, 11-5, 11-9 with spells of exhilarating brilliance.—AFP