EUROPEAN SQUASH NEWS

RESULTS: European Individual Squash Championships, Bratislava, Slovakia

Men's final:
[2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [1] John White (SCO) 10-8, 2-9, 4-9, 9-3, 9-6 (90m)

Women's final:
[2] Rebecca Botwright (ENG) bt [1] Vicky Hynes (ENG) 8-10, 2-9, 9-4, 9-4, 9-5 (72m)

3rd place play-offs:
[4] Adrian Grant (ENG) bt [3] James Willstrop (ENG) 9-7, 9-5 (best-of-three)
[4] Sarah Kippax (ENG) bt Pamela Pancis (AUT) 9-4, 8-10, 9-2, 9-6
 
Gaultier & Botwright Claim European Titles

In a dramatic climax to the first championships for more than ten years, England's Rebecca Botwright and Frenchman Gregory Gaultier both fought back from behind against event favourites to claim the titles in the European Individual Squash Championships at the National Tennis Centre in Bratislava, Slovakia.

After a close first game, top seed John White raced to a 2/1 lead over the second-seeded Frenchman before a packed crowd surrounding the all-glass court at the Tennis Centre.  But Gaultier, the world No11 from Aix-en-Provence, still had plenty in reserve.  The 21-year-old levelled the match and dashed to an 8-0 lead in the fifth game decider.

White, the 31-year-old Scot who is ranked 7 in the world after securing the top spot in the world rankings earlier in the year, fought back to 6-8.  Gaultier, however, resisted the challenge and after 90 minutes clinched the prestigious title in a 10-8 2-9 4-9 9-3 9-6 scoreline.

In the women's final, top seed Vicky Hynes opened up a 2/0 lead against her second-seeded compatriot, but Manchester-based Botwright - ranked just one place lower in the WISPA world rankings - rallied back to overtake the favourite and claim a 8-10 2-9 9-4 9-4 9-5 victory in 72 minutes.