Gaultier Grabs First Super Series Title At US Open
Final:
[6] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [1] Amr Shabana (EGY) 11-5, 7-11, 11-4, 11-9 (61m)
France's Gregory Gaultier truly came of age on the international squash circuit when he upset Egypt's world number Amr Shabana to secure the US Open title – and his first PSA Super Series crown - at the Back Bay Events Center in John Hancock Hall in Boston.
A crowd of over 1,000 gathered to watch the final match between the sixth-seeded Frenchman and top seed Shabana. The first game of the match started close, but a few surprising errors by the Egyptian put Gaultier up 6-3. Winning back the serve, Shabana grabbed a quick two, but the 23-year-old from Aix-en-Provence came back with a vengeance going up 10-5, before putting Shabana out of his misery.
The second game of the match saw Gaultier move 6-3 ahead, before a stunning shot gave Shabana the point and serve. Another couple of dazzlers tied it up at six-all, when Shabana took control of the court and the game, zipping ahead to 9-6. An aerobic volley earned Gaultier a point, but an out call gave Shabana the point and the second game to draw level.
Shabana forced a couple of errors on Gaultier in the third, but the formidable Frenchman came back with two unanswered points to tie it again at 3-all. A dubious let call had Gaultier just a bit peeved, but it appeared to be just the impetus he needed to grab a quick five points. At 9-4, Gaultier refused to relinquish control of the T, working Shabana like a punch bag to take the game 11-4 and a 2/1 lead in the match.
The Gods were smiling on Gaultier when he scooted up 5-3 in the fourth game. At 8-6, Gaultier was infuriated with a call by the judges to bring it within one, 8-7. A deadly shot by Shabana brought the game to 8-all, before two sweet points brought it to 10-8. Shabana squeezed out another point, before a tough no-let call gave Gaultier the win and match 11-5, 7-11, 11-4, 11-9 in 61 minutes.
Commenting on his first Super Series victory, Gaultier – who has now extended his head-to-head tally against the Egyptian to a remarkable 4-wins-to-2-losses – told www.PSALive.tv viewers: "Against Shabana I have a good record - I like to play attacking guys and players like Shabana as my game is to counter.
"Now I'm No5 and going up, I hope I'll keep playing and winning. Beating Lincou was big and if I keep playing this way, who knows, I can be number one if I cross my fingers!"
Gaultier Shabana for a great game and shared: "I was not satisfied with my play against David Palmer (in the semi-finals), but today I was relaxed and felt I played a good squash game.”
The winner of this year’s US Open wins over $10,000 in prize money, as well as a Tourneau Chronograph watch and a “key” to the Boston Racquet Club.
Official website: www.usopensquash.com