The Hindu : Nicol outwits White to claim title

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 18, 2002

Sport

Sport - Squash

Nicol outwits White to claim title

Peter Nicol of England (left) and Sarah Fitz-Gerald of Australia, the winners of the British Open squash men's and women's singles title in London.

LONDON APRIL 17 World squash champions Peter Nicol of England and Sarah Fitz-Gerald of Australia kept their reputations in tact by winning the prestigious British Open event on a facile note.

Nicol overwhelmed the Scottish Challenge John White for the men's title while Sarah swept aside the bubbling talent, Tania Bailey of England to clinch the women's title.

Nicol, who is picking his second British Open title, took 48 minutes to subdue John White of Scotland in three straight games in what was an outstanding show of reflexes, deception and accuracy. White who was stretched to his limits against Power in the semi-final could never repeat that fighting show against a player who sent back anything dished out to him and with perfection.

Repeatedly finding the tin, White's was an error-filled first game that lasted just 14 minutes. Volleying with aplomb and reaching the drops incredibly, Nicol led 8-5 in the second game when White attempted a fight back. But then this was an occasion when Nicol would not miss anything and when the Britisher won the game with a forehand drive, it was advantage Nicol straightaway.

In the third game, both players were 2-2 before Nicol forged ahead with a flurry of winners. At 7-11 in what was a last ditch effort, White tried and failed in his attempt to execute drops. Nicol was now on match point when White induced an error in the Britisher's backhand volley. But on the second match point White had no escape as Nicol's backhand worked perfectly to bring him the point and the title.

In the women's section, experience prevailed over exuberance of a young talent, a former junior World champion. The 22-year old Tania knew she was facing an experienced campaigner and the reigning champion but she was not one to give up easily. But then Sarah needed just 34 minutes to finish off what proved to be a rout in the end. All that Tania gained from the three games was three points as Sarah reeled off 22 points in a row to cap her relentless pursuit of honours in style. Tania did join in some good rallies and even succeeded to an extent in keeping Sarah off her lethal backhand drops. But the pace was too hot for the British girl, who only a year ago met with a car accident that had put her off squash for eight months.

The results: Final: Men: Peter Nicol (Eng) beat John White (Scot) 15-9, 15-8,15-8.

Women: Sarah Fitz-Gerald (Aus) beat Tania Bailey (Eng) 9-3, 9-0, 9-0.

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