LONDON, April 9: Peter Nicol, the world champion from Britain, is top seed at the British Open starting in London Wednesday, which he helped to save.

Nicol became a go-between for Gawain Briars, chief executive of the Professional Squash Association, and Mike Corby, President of the Squash Rackets Association, when a dispute over affiliation fees threatened to scupper the famous tournament.

“Normally I would stay clear of that sort of thing,” Nicol said. “But I spent five or six hours a day for five days talking, and in the end I was so happy that I had done it. I think it will make me more relaxed when I come to play.”

Meanwhile, defending champion David Palmer, who said this week that the British Open risked losing its pre-eminence if it did not sort itself out and find sponsorship soon, is at risk of losing his title.

The Australian has lost some momentum over recent months and is seeded second for the 70-year-old event which moves to Manchester for the quarterfinals onwards Saturday.

Nicol ended Palmer’s five-month run as number one last year, although even he is arguably not the unofficial favourite.

Canadian Jonathon Power beat Nicol to win the Tournament of Champions in New York in February and overcame both Nicol and Palmer to capture the Pakistan Open in Lahore last month.

“Jonathon is probably the favourite,” said Palmer. “But winning the British Open has made a big difference to my career and has been a dream come true, so it has taken a lot of pressure off me. That can help me do well again.”

Nicol might have been a firm favourite but for an accident in which he stubbed his foot in New York and which led to hip and other related injuries. He said to have recovered, but it has delayed his training build-up.

The Scottish-born player, strongly criticised in his homeland after defecting south of the border last year, said his recovery had been enhanced by being part of England’s world class performance programme with its access to top-class free medical facilities.

The destination of the British Open title in what looks like a three-horse race could depend on who arrives fresher for the final on Monday. With third-seeded Power and Palmer scheduled to battle with each other in Sunday’s semi-finals, Nicol may have an advantage.

Australia’s other defending champion, Sarah Fitz-Gerald, should have a stronger chance of winning the British Open title again.

Leilani Joyce, former champion from New Zealand is sidelined by injury, and only Carol Owens, the former world champion from New Zealand, looks capable of halting Fitz-Gerald, who has had a month off after tearing a calf muscle.

“I haven’t lost any fitness and the rest has revitalised my enthusiasm,” said Fitz-Gerald.—Reuters