French squash star Gregory Gaultier celebrated his debut appearance in the long-established CIMB Malaysian Open in Selangor by winning the PSA World Tour International 50 event today at the Curve Shopping Mall in sensational style.
The top seed, ranked six in the world, swept through the high-class field to reach the final without dropping a game.
His surprise opponent was unseeded Pakistani Aamir Atlas Khan - the 20-year-old world No28 from Peshawar who followed his quarter-final upset over home favourite and title-holder Mohd Azlan Iskandar by dismissing higher-ranked Australian Cameron Pilley in the semis.
But the mighty Gaultier was not to be stopped: Appearing in the 40th PSA Tour final of his career, the 28-year-old from Aix-en-Provence brushed aside Khan 11-8, 11-3, 11-3 in 43 minutes to avenge his defeat by the Pakistani in their last meeting in Qatar in 2009.
It was the French and European champion's first Tour title triumph of the year - but the 18th of Gaultier's distinguished career.
RESULTS: PSA International 50 CIMB Malaysian Open, Selangor, Malaysia
Final:
[1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) 11-8, 11-3, 11-3 (43m)
Official site: www.malaysianopensquash.com