ping ease a painful memory by becoming the first squash player since Pakistani legend Jansher Khan to win a third World Open. To do that the Egyptian had to beat his closest friend on the tour, Gregory Gaultier, and he did it with surprising emphasis, by 11-7, 11-4, 11-5 in only 43 minutes, delivering a dazzling performance which belied his recent schedule. It was Shabana’s fifth tournament success in six weeks, the 20th tour title of his career and a victory that matched Khan’s 1996 third Open win and carried him nearer to the accolade of being regarded as one of the all-time greats. “I don’t think I have ever played as well as that, he said. “You raise your game more to your opponent. Greg beat everyone easily in this tournament. And it had to be something special to beat him. For Gaultier it was a huge disappointment. He had been the most in-form player of the tournament, reaching the final without dropping a game. But once the Frenchman got there it all went wrong and he delivered a performance which raised questions about tactical choices. Gaultier often initiated rallies in Shabana’s strongest area – the forecourt, later claiming this choice was decided by his not feeling good. “I couldn’t feel my legs any more, Gaultier said. “I don’t know why. I felt very heavy. I couldn’t take control and had to go for shots. Both men had gremlins to banish – Shabana for failing to become world champion again by the side of the Giza pyramids 14 months ago as much of Egypt had hoped and Gaultier for allowing five match points to slip away in the final there. It was Gaultier who the made the better start. He got an early three-point lead but then hinted at his nerves by becoming embroiled in several minor disputes with the referee about lets decisions when he wanted penalty points. Once the referee took a subtle revenge, asking Gaultier if he wanted a let when he had not asked for one. When Gaultier answered yes, the referee said no let, with some emphasis. Worse for Gaultier was that as his stares and grumbles increased, the accuracy and length of his driving wavered and Shabana advanced enterprisingly to 8-4 before he began to get back into it. By then it was too late, for Shabana s early match nerves had been settled. He produced a rifling winner, boasted off the side wall to take the first game, and maintained the momentum too, striking three fine winners to reach 4-1 in the second game. Now Gaultier was becoming concerned. He became loose with line and length again, allowing room for Shabana s brilliance to flourish. Soon the top seed was hitting winners from positions he had no right to do, and his two-game lead, in a match most people thought would be a long one, came in only 28 minutes. In the third, Gaultier tried to go short early and often, but this played into Shabana s great area of strength, the Egyptian s speed, disguise and variation in the forecourt keeping the points ticking over steadily for him. Gaultier recovered a little from 2-7 to 5-8 amidst a glut of lets, one of which saw Shabana cling on to his opponent, trying to show the referee the amount of obstruction he encountered, only to be shaken angrily off by Gaultier. But the two are close friends and Gaultier quickly showed him that he had forgiven him. At the end, when Shabana won the match with a brilliant piece of defense and a sudden counter-attack, Gaultier s emotional resilience was tested even more. He hurled his racket away in disappointment, angrily waved away Shabana s coach Amir Wagih, embraced Shabana massively, and left looking utterly desolate, close to tears. He was comforted by Thierry Lincou, who three years ago became the first Frenchman ever to win the world title. I know how he feels, Shabana said. He beat me last year in front of my home crowd in the semi-finals, so I know exactly what it s like. -AFP
Amr Shabana shatters friend Gaultier, makes history
