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Australia’s David Palmer pockets world squash title in Egypt

SPORTS

By: Aamna Mahboob.
Suspense comes to end after Australia's David Palmer (pic on left) beat Gregory Gaultier in the final of the Al-Ahram World Open Squash Championship, played out on an all-glass court on the Giza Plateaux in Egypt, with the country's world-famous pyramids providing a stunning backdrop.
Palmer, celebrating his 40th appearance in a PSA Tour event final, dug deep and hauled himself back into the match, winning the third game by the same 11-9 margin. In the Semi-final Palmer defeated former champion Thierry Lincou and Gaultier made a upset after defending champion Amr Shabana in dramatic semi-finals on the all-glass court set alongside Egypt's famous pyramids of Giza Thursday.
Palmer, the 2002 champion, it was his third appearance in the final but for Gaultier, the fast-rising 23-year-old who has never before progressed beyond the event's third round and who today celebrated a career-high world No7 ranking, it will be his maiden appearance in any PSA Super Series event final.
It was a fine display by the young Frenchman who had only once before beaten the Shabana, the 27-year-old from Giza who has topped the world rankings for the past six months and boast three PSA Tour titles this year to his credit and only three losses in 26 matches. After taking the first two games, Gaultier lost his way in the third game as Shabana turned on his racket magic and reduced the deficit. But Gaultier could still sense victory and duly regained his focus in the fourth game to charge to a majestic 11-5, 11-7, 2-11, 11-9 win. While Palmer, the world No2 from Lithgow in New South Wales, took a two lead against Lincou, the world No3.

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