LAHORE, March 27: World No. 3 Jonathan Power from Canada, clinched the 19th Pakistan Open Squash Championship, registering an upset victory over top seed and world No. 1 Peter Nicol (England) by three games to one in the hotly-contested final at the Fortress Stadium Wednesday.

Power, who had earlier upstaged the Australian world No 2 David Palmer in the semi-final earned the win against Nicol 15-10, 13-15, 15-10, 15-14 in the 87-minute final.

It was Power’s second victory against Nicol this year. Earlier, he had beaten Nicol in the CSF Tournament of Champions.

At the conclusion of the championship, President of Pakistan General Pervez Musharaf awarded the crystal trophy to the winner and the runner-up trophy to Nicol. The winner also pocketed $ 15,750, while the runner-up received a cheque of $ 10350.

The Canadian entered the fourth game with a 2-1 lead, but top seed Nicol leading 9-5 seemed to be extending the final into the fifth game. However, with some delicate drop shots and a nick, Power levelled the scores 11-11 and with another delicate drop shot surged ahead 13-12.

But Nicol was still fighting on. With a nick shot he drew abreast 13-13 and as the two fought on for every point were level once again at 14-14.

Power very confidently called for one point for the game. The decision paid off as he hit the winner, leaving Nicol stunned in the right hand corner of the court. Delighted with his success, Power punched the air in sheer excitement.

“It was a tough final for me indeed. But I think Peter under-estimated me. The win will boost my morale for the next big event the British Open Championship” Power said after the final.

“Yes! Jonathan put up a good game to beat me, but I will try to settle the score in the British Open Championship” Nicol said in his post-final comments.

Power and Nicol had studied each another’s game well which resulted in long rallies between the two outstanding players of the game.

Power took 29 minutes to win the first game 15-10. He led from start to finish. Both hit the tin on three occasions.

However, the Canadian earned three points on nick shots and as many on drop shots to win the first game.

In the second game, Nicol fought hard to equalise the score 1-1. He surged ahead 5-2 but was caught up at 6-6.

Amid long rallies and repeatedly being given lets, both were once again tied at 13-13.

At a crucial stage, Power dropped two vital points after hitting the tin, allowing the top seed to level the scores 1-1 in a game which lasted 29 minutes.

Power began the third game in a stormy fashion and built up a 9-5 lead. Continuing on the pressure whilst gaining vital points he picked up the third game when Nicol failed to return a back-hand shot.

Later, the president urged the private sector to encourage and support sports in Pakistan to enable the country reach world standards.

Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony the president said, the government can not patronise sports and it was imperative for the private sector to come forward and support the endeavour of goverment in this regard.

“There is no dearth of talent in the country and what we need is to encourage and support our players in helping them to attain the world standards,” he remarked.