Thierry Takes Title On Reunion Island
Final:
[1] Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt [2] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) 13-11, 11-3, 11-7 (48m)
The inaugural Internationaux de la Reunion on Reunion Island celebrated the perfect conclusion when former world champion Thierry Lincou - born on the Indian Ocean island 33 years ago - lifted the $30,000 PSA World Tour squash title at ASCTR-Stade Michel Volnay in Saint Pierre without dropping a game.
Much to the delight of the organisers, event favourite Lincou was in stunning form all week - ultimately setting up the dream climax when he faced second seed Laurens Jan Anjema in the final.
While the former world number one Frenchman despatched Egypt's Mohd Ali Anwar Reda in straight games in the semi-finals, Dutchman Anjema twice had to come from behind before overcoming third-seeded Egyptian Omar Mosaad in a 78-minute marathon.
But after a close first game which went to a tie-break, world number eight Lincou cruised to a 13-11, 11-3, 11-7 victory in 48 minutes to claim the Reunion crown.
The triumph takes Lincou's PSA Tour title tally to 21 - putting the Marseille-based Frenchman just one title below PSA Tour rival Amr Shabana, the three-time world champion from Egypt. Shabana is in second place in the current players' title-winning list - headed by David Palmer, the Australian who boasts 25.