ANTWERP (Belgium), Dec 15: Australia’s David Palmer battled back from two games down and saved two match balls to beat Scotland’s John White here Saturday to win the World Open squash title.

The third-seeded Palmer beat the fifth-seed 13-15, 12-15, 15-6, 15-14, 15-11 to follow in the footsteps of countrymen Rodney Martin and Rodney Eyles as an Australian squash champion.

His one hour and 46 minute win came in thrilling circumstances as he fought off a two game deficit as well as two match balls.

The fourth game was crucial and proved to be the turning point.

White hit a winning drop to give him match ball at 14-13 but Palmer saved the first to go 14-14 before an attempted drop from White clipped the tin to level the match.

The Australian celebrated by punching the air to celebrate his escape while White threw his racket to the floor in disgust.

In a tense fifth and deciding game, it was Palmer who forced the pace. He went to 10-7 and kept the advantage to reach match ball where an accurate drop was agonisingly out of White’s reach.

“It’s just a dream come true,” said Palmer.

“To win the world title in a great venue like this in front of all my supporters is just fantastic.”

Both men were surprise finalists after top seed and defending champion Peter Nicol of England and second-seeded Canadian Jonathon Power had been eliminated in the semi-finals.

Power’s dreams of winning a second World Open crown were cruelly shattered when a freak injury forced him to quit his semi-final against Palmer.

Leading 15-13, 10-10, Power, world champion in 1998, was accidentally struck in the eye by Palmer’s racket and after an hour’s delay where he was examined by a doctor, he was forced to retire handing his opponent a place in the final.

White sent Nicol crashing out with a 15-9, 15-7, 15-10 win.—AFP