WORLD SQUASH NEWS

RESULTS: SSA Global Windy City Open Squash Championship, Chicago, USA

Final:
[5] John White (SCO) bt [4] Amr Shabana (EGY) 11-7, 11-8, 11-4 (35m)

Whirlwind White Storms To Windy City Win

Scotland's John White recorded one of the most important title victories of his career when he despatched Egypt's higher-seeded former world champion Amr Shabana in straight games in the sensational final of the SSA Global Windy City Open Squash Championship in Chicago, USA.

After failing to win a PSA Tour title throughout last year, this was just the confidence-boosting result that the former world No1 from Nottingham in England was seeking after crashing to a four-year career-low 12 in the first world rankings of 2005.

The final between the hard-hitting Scot, who tamed North American hero Jonathon Power in a 94-minute semi-final less than 24 hours earlier, and the racquet artiste Amr Shabana, who overwhelmed top seed Lee Beachill in the other semi, was an all-John White affair.

In the 35-minute fast-paced encounter, the 31-year-old fifth seed showed off his incredible accuracy and power as well as retrieving ability.  In game two, Shabana seemed to have things figured out, after a series of White's shots found the nick in game one, but it wasn't enough. The pace was rapid and relentless, as both players launched attacks to the front court. The high-paced game favoured White, who was able to keep errors to a minimum.

In game three Shabana became frustrated and looked heavenward for some help, but none came. Power had been patient in his attacking game against White, but Shabana obviously decided to go for the shots, hoping to hit the nick before White. This, however, happened rarely.  White proved accurate, relatively error-free and strong throughout as he registered his 11-7 11-8 11-4 triumph.

After the match, SSA Global President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Greenough announced that SSA Global would commit to being title sponsor in 2006 and make the effort to take the tournament to an even higher level.  Mr Greenough encouraged the other sponsors to follow suit!

The success marked John White's eighth PSA Tour title, and his second in a final against Shabana.