#31: 01-Sep-02, Hong Kong Open Final

[1] Peter Nicol (Eng) bt  [2] Jonathon Power (Can)
     15/13, 15/9, 14/15, 15/10  (108m)

NICOL CLAIMS CATHAY HAT-TRICK
IN HONG KONG SHOWDOWN
Steve Cubbins reports

England's world number one Peter Nicol met Canada's world number two Jonathon Power in the final, with their record standing  at fifteen wins apiece. After a titanic 108-minute battle it was Nicol who emerged the winner, to claim his third Cathay Pacific title and edge ahead 16-15 in their personal duel.

Power started the stronger, racing to a 7-2 lead in the first game. Nicol clawed his way back to 7-8, at which point Power needed an injury 'time-out', feeling his back. The referee allowed the delay, declaring it to be a new injury, presumably as opposed to the head wound he received in the semi-finals. Nicol was unconvinced. "A new injury? He's been getting that for five years," said Nicol, much to the amusement of the capacity crowd.

Once back on court, Power looked to be in some distress, holding his back and conducting his usual discussions with the referee. "Power's back looks really painful," said observers at courtside. The Canadian managed to hold it together to reach 13-10, but Nicol took the last five points to clinch the first. "At the start I was getting to the ball much earlier but after the injury I began to slow and allowed him to dominate," a sorry Power told the South China Morning Post..

Power, who yesterday suffered a racket blow to the head (see photo), was attended to by the doctor in the game interval, with ice packs applied to his back, but looked at times to be in sufficient pain as to make his continued participation in the match doubtful.

He came out for the second, but was struggling with his movement as Nicol quickly established a 2-0 lead, with Power adopting an attacking philosophy that didn't pay off.

The third saw Power moving more easily, and they traded points until Power reached game ball at 14-12, then Nicol levelled at 14-all.

It's a brave man who calls 'set one' at 2-0 down, but that's what Power did, giving match-ball to Nicol. After several lets Power finally clinched it, and was smiling once again rather than grimacing.

"It was match ball and I was definitely surprised to see him ask for set-one. It isn't the norm, but then it is Jonathon," said Nicol.

"I always call set-one," said Power.

But the miracle comeback was not to be, as  Nicol took an early lead in the fourth, 9-2, and this time there was no way back for Power. Power revealed afterwards that his back was suffering from an old injury that had flared up again.

"I got spasms in my back and that was the beginning of the end. I have had this problem for a long time. It is too bad it happened today for I was playing well and dominating. But the injury affected my movement," Power, who had been hoping to remain undefeated since wearing his new line of sports shoes, told the SCMP.

"I thought I had him. I thought he was tired and that I would win. The spasms had gone away by then and I was starting to feel good. But then I came back and played such a bad fourth game and gave him a 9-2 lead. He was tough mentally today," Power said.

Power was philosophical in defeat - his first wearing his new shoes. "I'm tired after a hard week," said the Canadian. "It's been a hard draw for me here, no easy matches. But I've got 10 days rest now before the US Open in Boston, so I'm hoping to be back on top form then."

Nicol was clearly pleased with his third Hong Kong title. "I knew that leading 2-0, it would be very difficult for him to come back. It would have been nice to win in three, but I knew after the third that he didn't have much left in the tank for the fourth," said Nicol. "The biggest thing for me was not to lose today and go 5-0 down to him this year. I knew I was moving well enough to be able to soak up anything he threw at me in the match. I'm firmly back on track now."

The Fan's view, from Amir Hoosain

HONG KONG POLL
It was an entertaining final to the 2002 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open. Spectators were asked to drop their lucky draw tickets into a box marked "Power" or one marked "Nicol" according to their prediction for the eventual winner. I had no strong opinions one way or the other and dropped mine into the Nicol box, expecting most of the audience would be betting on Power (see poll results).  The pre-match entertainment consisted of a playful exhibition game between Thierry Lincou (wielding an archaic Dunlop Maxply racket) and local player Dick Lau, followed by a slapstick doubles spectacle involving a local twosome and the pair of Anothony Ricketts and Mark Chaloner.

THE MAIN EVENT
The amusements drew to an end and the mood turned to one of anticipation as Power and Nicol made their entrance. After a solemn knock up, the match got underway and it looked early on as though we were in for a display of attritional rallying. The players were feeling each other out, striking the ball deep without much of a short game. Power pulled ahead, benefiting from early Nicol errors, taking a point by hitting to perfect length and a couple more by misdirecting his opponent. Nicol tightened his game and won a series of exchanges to even the score at 8-8. At this point, Power requested injury time for treatment of back pain. Some in the crowd expressed disbelief, but to be fair, I did in fact spot Power stretching his back on two occasions before his lead was lost. Play continued after a three-minute pause. Power fought on but appeared to be in continued discomfort and went on to lose the game.

POWER'S PROBLEMS BACK
Power started the second game opting for a more freestyle tactic of cutting the ball short, mixing things up and moving his opponent around. Nicol was sweating profusely at this point, but wasn't slowing down in the least and uncooperatively returned everything he was given. Power's back continued to bother him and he didn't appear quite in tune for the style of play he was aiming for. Several attempts to put the ball away were mis-hit or struck into the tin (aside - why is there no tin within this "tin?" Balls struck down sound about the same as balls struck up, so that many spectators and even the referee are often not sure which was the case). It was in the second game that Power began quarrelling more with the ungenerous referee and several spectators expressed disapproval by applauding no-let decisions or possible stroke situations that were declared mere lets. Nicol took this game 15-9.

POWER AND REFEREE DISAGREE
In the third game, Jonathon Power adopted a sort of hybrid between a standard length game and the failed shot-making stratagem of the previous game. It seemed to work, as he now made fewer errors and began moving very fluidly, as though his back troubles were long behind him.  The downside of this game was that his proclivity for calling every possible let-entitlement resurfaced - as a result of which, the referee's reading became slightly mis-calibrated and several lets were denied on important exchanges where perhaps they were warranted. It should be said that Power often has valid points in his disputes but his need to overplay any interference causes referees and spectators to view him with undue skepticism (for instance, during a rally where Peter Nicol was caught dead in his swing, the referee offered only a let, saying, "he was trying to clear out of the way." In response Power cried, "it doesn't matter that he was trying to clear OUT of the way, he was still IN the way!!"). 

In any case, various factors caused this game to go to 14-14 and Power chose "set 1." I suspect that even the Power detractors in the audience momentary willed the Canadian to pull through, as things were suddenly quite exciting. He won the point on a daring forehand drop that apparently was good  (I couldn't tell for myself due to a video camera positioned over that very spot and the aforementioned 'silent tin' problem). Everyone heaved a sigh as the awful tension was lifted and perhaps the referee was more relieved than anyone else, as Power had made a big issue about the soundness of her calls.

NICOL TO THE FORE
We all wondered if that had been the turning point of the match. Power was now playing with solid nerves and making impressive recoveries, while Nicol had been covering a lot of court. Alas, that was the high-point of the final, as Nicol quickly took a comfortable lead in the fourth and held on to claim the match.

I realize that I've written a very Power-centric account of the final and that's partly because J.P. draws so much attention to himself, but it's mostly that (as a common enthusiast) I have a very hard time relating to a player as fit and disciplined as Peter Nicol, who always seems to make the correct move. What goes on in his mind? I think the tournament emcee asked him a question about his mental preparation during the trophy presentation, but he gave a rather rote answer that I couldn't extract much wisdom from. 

So in summary, a great tournament and a worthy victor. I look forward to future encounters between these two.

#30: 30-Jul-02, Commonwealth Games Final, Manchester

[2] Jonathon Power (Can) bt [1] Peter Nicol (Eng)
     9-4, 4-9, 9-3, 9-0  (56m)

POWER TAKES HIS REVENGE
Jonathon Power avenged his defeat by Peter Nicol in the 1998 Commonwealth Games final, with a comprehensive win over his arch-rival in Manchester tonight. They traded the first two games, but in the third Nicol looked to be tiring as Power took control. In the fourth Power served the game out in one hand, and the fervent home support for Nicol was quietened as the Canadian flags came out in force.

Alan Thatcher reports
PATIENCE is not usually regarded as one of Jonathon Power's virtues. But he has waited four long years to gain revenge over Peter Nicol for defeat in the 1998 Commonwealth Games final in Malaysia. Last night he reversed that result by outplaying his arch rival 9-4, 4-9, 9-3, 9-0 in Manchester.

Nicol's quest for a golden double ended in disaster as the Canadian maestro totally outplayed England's top seed for long spells of the men's singles final. Power's dominance of the final phase of the match was so complete that Nicol failed to gain a single serve in the fourth game.

As the players entered the court, Nicol was cheered to the rooftops by a full house of 1,700 England supporters in the new National Squash Centre. They clapped, sang, stamped and attempted several Mexican waves. But Power silenced them.

He got on top of the match straight away and took the first game 9-3 in 19 minutes as Nicol struggled to find a working length. Nicol hit back to draw level after finding his length and precision in the second game. Power later admitted that the turning point of the second was an incredible rally at 6-4, which ended with Power hitting the ball back to himself after both players had produced some astonishing retrieving. Nicol moved to game ball with a backhand drop and then Power put a backhand boast into the tin. It was one game all and Nicol's army of supporters hoped he had reeled in Power just as he had done against Ricketts, Ryding and Palmer, but was unable to impose himself on the match from then onwards.

Power's skill, deception and new-found mobility around the court had a tired-looking Nicol chasing shadows in the last two games. From 3-2 up in the third, Power suddenly moved ahead of his opponent and Nicol was doing all the chasing. Power was volleying Nicol's loose crosscourts and playing tight drops when anything presented itself at the front of the court.

At 6-3 Nicol was seriously struggling. He conceded a stroke with a loose forehand and in the following rally was chasing all over the court to get the ball back, finally hitting the ball into the tin at full stretch. He hit a service return into the tin to give Power game ball and then snatched at a loose Power crosscourt and put the ball into the floor.

The fourth was over in six minutes as Power exercised total control of proceedings, firing in effortless winners and forcing Nicol into desperate mistakes. He hit a forehand volley to take the first point, then moved to 5-0 ahead with a succession of solid drives to a length, forcing Nicol into the back corners from where the ball rarely emerged. A confident Power sliced in a backhand drop from behind the service box top go 6-0 up and then struck a forehand crosscourt volley that died in the back left corner. An exhausted Nicol surrendered the final two points by hitting the ball out of court and a delighted Power raised his arms aloft to savour the moment of supreme triumph.

The new champion, wearing his own brand of blue and gold shoes, received his gold medal from HRH Prince Tunku Imran of Malaysia, a former president of the World Squash Federation and second vice-chairman of the Commonwealth Games Federation. He emerged from a Canadian throng to reveal: "This has been hanging over me for the past four years, and especially the last three months or so when everybody has been reminding me about that happened in Malaysia.

"Tonight I got on top of things early on and winning that first game decided the match.

"I had beaten Peter three times in a row before this and they were all physically gruelling matches, but this was the toughest one mentally. This one is up there with all the other titles, like the British Open and World Open. Now I've beaten Nicol in all of those finals.

"I beat him with my deception and got him twisting and turning. I managed to get him stopping and starting and that takes its toll in a match."

When asked when he felt confident of winning the gold, he replied: "At 8-0 in the fourth. Peter has a lot of guts and great powers of recovery. I've seen them before and he certainly has the capacity to do it.

"The first game was definitely the most important of the match. I took the T and made him do a lot of the work. In the second game he hung tough and played pretty good. My length went away a little bit and there were some tough rallies.

"But losing it didn't worry me. I came back for the third game and it was a case of starting all over again. I wasn't too upset. I could sense that Peter was feeling tired in the middle of the third game and I just had to control it. I felt his legs had gone so he was unable to step up and volley it as he likes to and I could dictate things."

Power admitted that he had been forced to adjust his style to the glass court in Manchester and said: "It was a hold-snap length. It's hard to get a good length on there so you have to hold it and snap it."

He lost to John White on the same court in the British Open in April but enjoyed the surroundings last night, despite the hostility of the crowd. He said: "I have walked with hostility all my life. Out there tonight I was in my own zone and blocked it out. There were a few Canadian voices cheering me, anyway."

Asked about the venue, he said: "It's a great place, first class. I hated it when I lost here in April but now it's my favourite venue in the whole world. It means a lot to me to come over here and win. I won the British Open in Scotland but this is my first ever tournament victory in England. Now I've broken the jinx the floodgates can open."

Power's victory levelled his all-time record with Nicol at 15 apiece and he said: "I have now beaten him four times in a row. It's a great rivalry and we seem to go through cycles. I am currently going through a good patch, but a lot of it is down to my health."

Quizzed about his new-found mobility, Power admitted he had consulted a movement expert who had worked with ballet dancers and now helps athletes. He said: "She is a top secret worth a million dollars. She is helping me with a lot of power work and stretching. I have been working hard at my health and fitness instead of burning the candle at both ends. I used to stay out all night and train all day. Now I try to get to bed a bit earlier and I've given up the late nights.

"I went through a patch last year when I got injured a lot and I was not enjoying my squash. But now I have found my health and I am moving on to the ball earlier and enjoying my squash again."

Asked about his plans to defend his medal in Melbourne in four years' time, Power said: "I will be there. I have no intention of quitting. This is all I have done since I was a little kid. I still enjoy the buzz and and as long as that's the case I will carry on playing. When you are young all you think about is playing for your country. In squash there is no bigger competition for the game than this. We are not in the Olympics so this is the big one."

Interviewed on BBC TV after the match, Nicol had no complaints. "I didn't play to my potential tonight, but Jonathon played a great game and I just couldn't match him tonight. My defence needed to be better, he was making me do all the work and in the end it told."

Asked if he had any regrets about switching to England from Scotland, Nicol replied: "None at all. It's been a great year and a half, I've had great support from everyone, and the crowd were fantastic tonight. I'm just disappointed I couldn't win it for them and my team-mates."

The Final game: 1-0: Forehand volley winner. 2-0: Forehand X-court drive. 3-0: Backhand X-court drive. 4-0: Backhand drive nick. 5-0: Straight backhand drive for winner. 6-0: Backhand drop from deep. 7-0: Forehand X-court died in back corner. 8-0: Nicol hits volley out of court. 9-0: another out of court from Nicol.
 

#29: 27-Apr-02, Qatar Masters semi-final, Doha
 
POWER MOVES INTO
MASTERS FINAL
Robert Edwards reports from Doha

[4] Jonathon Power (Can) bt [1] Peter Nicol (Eng)
     15-10, 15-13, 7-15, 12-15, 15-7 (92m)

Jonathon Power completed his third successive victory over world champion Peter Nicol in the first semi-final here in Doha. It was an engrossing match, full of quality squash and excitement which had the capacity crowd enthralled.

"I felt I lost it myself," said a disappointed Nicol after the match. "I wasted a lot of energy in the first two games, and having got back level I lost the plot in the fifth and let Jonathon play his game. All credit to Jonathon though, he played very well." Nicol is set to leave for the airport tonight, promising to "start some serious training for the next round."

As for Power, he is playing supremely well here, on what he says is his favourite court. "In the past I have been accused of not being totally serious about my squash," he told me afterwards. "But I'm very focussed at present, and I'm up for it. I want that world number one spot and world championship back."

#28: 27-Mar-02, Pakistan Open Final, Lahore

[3] Jonathon Power (Can) bt [1] Peter Nicol (Eng)
    15/10, 13/15, 15/10, 15/14  87m

Power Claims Pakistan Crown
by Mohammad Yaqoob, Dawn

LAHORE, March 27: World No. 3 Jonathan Power from Canada, clinched the 19th Pakistan Open Squash Championship, registering an upset victory over top seed and world No. 1 Peter Nicol (England) by three games to one in the hotly-contested final at the Fortress Stadium Wednesday.

Power, who had earlier upstaged the Australian world No 2 David Palmer in the semi-final earned the win against Nicol 15-10, 13-15, 15-10, 15-14 in the 87-minute final. It was Power's second victory against Nicol this year. Earlier, he had beaten Nicol in the CSF Tournament of Champions.

At the conclusion of the championship, President of Pakistan General Pervez Musharaf awarded the crystal trophy to the winner and the runner-up trophy to Nicol. The winner also pocketed $ 15,750, while the runner-up received a cheque of $ 10350.

The Canadian entered the fourth game with a 2-1 lead, but top seed Nicol leading 9-5 seemed to be extending the final into the fifth game. However, with some delicate drop shots and a nick, Power levelled the scores 11-11 and with another delicate drop shot surged ahead 13-12. But Nicol was still fighting on. With a nick shot he drew abreast 13-13 and as the two fought on for every point were level once again at 14-14.

Power very confidently called for one point for the game. The decision paid off as he hit the winner, leaving Nicol stunned in the right hand corner of the court. Delighted with his success, Power punched the air in sheer excitement.

"It was a tough final for me indeed. But I think Peter under-estimated me. The win will boost my morale for the next big event the British Open Championship" Power said after the final. "Yes! Jonathan put up a good game to beat me, but I will try to settle the score in the British Open Championship" Nicol said in his post-final comments.

Power and Nicol had studied each another's game well which resulted in long rallies between the two outstanding players of the game. Power took 29 minutes to win the first game 15-10. He led from start to finish. Both hit the tin on three occasions. However, the Canadian earned three points on nick shots and as many on drop shots to win the first game.

In the second game, Nicol fought hard to equalise the score 1-1. He surged ahead 5-2 but was caught up at 6-6. mid long rallies and repeatedly being given lets, both were once again tied at 13-13.

At a crucial stage, Power dropped two vital points after hitting the tin, allowing the top seed to level the scores 1-1 in a game which lasted 29 minutes.

Power began the third game in a stormy fashion and built up a 9-5 lead. Continuing on the pressure whilst gaining vital points he picked up the third game when Nicol failed to return a back-hand shot.

Later, the president urged the private sector to encourage and support sports in Pakistan to enable the country reach world standards.

Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony the president said, the government can not patronise sports and it was imperative for the private sector to come forward and support the endeavour of government in this regard.

"There is no dearth of talent in the country and what we need is to encourage and support our players in helping them to attain the world standards," he remarked.

#27: 01-Feb-02 Tournament of Champions Final, New York

[4] Jonathon Power (CAN) bt [1] Peter Nicol (ENG)
     15-6, 15-8, 15-10  (54m)

Power and Fitz take ToC titles
North America's most prestigious squash title is back in North American hands, following an impressive 3-0 final victory for Jonathon Power, reports Beth Rasin

Before the men's event world #1 Sarah Fitz-Gerald won her 51st WISPA tour title when she defeated second-seed Carol Owens in the finals of the Arader & O'Rourke Women's Open for the Weymuller Cup. 

And it was an occasion in Grand Central Terminal on the last night of the 2002 CSFBdirect Tournament of Champions. It was standing room only, with spectators packed into every nook and cranny of the stands. 

At the front wall where viewing space was available free to the public, eager squash fans staked out their places an hour before match time.  By the time play started, they were lined up four and five deep, with dads hoisting their kids on their shoulders for a better view.

The crowd was not disappointed.  After watching Fitz-Gerald's attacking, fast paced game, the fans were ready for the Power-Nicol confrontation.  Nicol, who had decimated his competition all week, was eager to further solidify his #1 ranking.  Power, who had just moved up to #3 in the rankings, was confident. 

When Carol Owens had casually asked Power after his semifinal match how he was doing, the charismatic Canadian replied, "Great.  This is my tournament, you know.  I've won it three times." 

Indeed, Power owned the court in the final match-up.  In just 54minutes, he demonstrated the full array of gifted shotmaking that sets him apart from the other players on tour.

"I had decided before the match that I was going to go for all my shots," said Power, "and if it comes, off, it comes off." 

He executed his strategy with ease. The only point at which Nicol took a lead in the match was at 2-1 in the second game. Although Nicol was hampered by a tender ankle that he had jammed at the end of his semifinal match, it was Power's focus and command of the court that dominated the match. 

"There wasn't an aspect of my game that wasn't on tonight," said Power as he collected his 25th tour title in a match that ended Nicol's unbeaten run of 22 matches stretching back to last August.

#26: 09-Jan-02, Memorial US Open Final, Boston

[1] Peter Nicol (Eng) bt [2] Jonathon Power (Can)
     15/7 15/5 15/7

Nicol dances past Power
in Boston Ballroom
Colleen Turner reports

Peter Nicol and Jonathon Power met for the 26th time since 1995 in the Memorial U.S. Open final in in Boston, in the Sheraton Hotel's Grand Ballroom, but this wasn't one of the classic encounters as Nicol cruised to a straight games win, taking him ahead 15-11 in the head to head series.

Nicol was definitely on song tonight, starting at, and maintaining, a furious pace that seemed to unnerve Power.  "Jonathon's play is fast, but I've been practicing 'fast' and was able to adapt my play accordingly, so I was able to keep him off track. He really wasn't expecting it," Nicol said post match.

Power was his usual scrappy self, but he never really reached full wattage in the match. "I was really up for a competitive match, but my back was seizing up and I don't know, it just never really happened, " Power noted. 

Power held his own for the first few points of the first game, but then fell away, and only threatened towards the end of the third with a 4-point rally, but Nicol quickly put to rest any thoughts of a comeback.
 
The evening began with a Lightning Round competition featuring players Joe Kneipp,  Chris Walker,  Martin Heath and Paul Price,  Rodney Durbach and Gary Waite, all playing a 5-point, single elimination game, with the last man standing walking off with a $2K purse - literally. A stainless steel, gun-box style racquet case contained the winning cash, with Walker the happy recipient.

#25: 22-Nov-01, Canadian Classic semi-final, Toronto

[3] Peter Nicol (ENG) bt [2] Jonathon Power (CAN) 
     17-15, 9-15, 6-15, 15-7, 15-13 (103m)

Nicol To Face Unseeded
Boswell In YMG Final
Defending champion Jonathon Power was defeated by English arch-rival Peter Nicol in the semi-finals - in five games that had a capacity, pro-Power, crowd on the edge of their seats for 103 minutes.

It was the 25th clash of their professional career, and no less exciting than the previous 24.  Power led 2-1 in games, then trailed 9-13 in the fifth game, with the partisan audience hoping that their hero might pull off another miracle finish as he did in his quarter-final clash with Paul Price of Australia - in which he rebounded from a four point deficit in the crucial fifth game.  In the dream semi-final against Nicol, Power ran out of rabbits to pull from a hat. 

The former Torontonian fought back from a 9-14 deficit, but fell one point shot of tying the match as world champion Nicol claimed his 17-15, 9-15, 6-15, 15-7, 15-13 victory to reverse the result of the 2000 YMG Classic final, and extend his head-to-head lead to 14-11.

Nicol's surprise final opponent is Australia's unseeded Stewart Boswell, who triumphed in the other semi-final when he beat fellow non-seed Lee Beachill 15-10, 9-15, 17-15, 15-7 in 73 minutes to reach his second major PSA Tour final this year.  Boswell, the 23-year-old world No6 from Canberra, last faced Nicol in the final of the Scottish Open in July - which he also reached unseeded!

Peter Nicol, the former Scot who 'defected' to England earlier this year, will be seeking his seventh PSA Tour title this year in Toronto - eager to erase the memory of his last loss in a final, to Power in the 2000 YMG Classic twelve months ago.

#24: 09-Sep-01, Al Ahram International Final, Cairo

Peter Nicol bt Jonathon Power
15/8, 17/15, 15/12   (60m)

Nicol takes Al Ahram title
in devastating style
Robert Edwards reports

Peter Nicol was in devastating form in Cairo tonight giving Jonathon Power little chance  in his  one hour 15-8, 17-15, 15-12 final win. He sent out a clear message to his opponents. 'I want my No.1 spot back.'

It was a steady start with long rallies and from the beginning Power was a step off the pace not finding the form  or the confidence that he had in going through to the final with straight game victories. He was a different player tonight against Nicol holding his back in the first game. He failed to make an assertive start. It was Nicol who won the mental battle.

From the beginning Nicol dominated the front keeping Power back and picked the time to work him with floating boasts and volley drops and it wasn't until the second that Power started firing.

Nicol did the work then. He contained Jonathon well, moved him and picked up all his opponent's best shots. Overall in the one hour match he would have made less than a dozen mistakes. It all added up to a frustrating evening for Power, who had to hang into the long rallies and ended up making too many cheap mistakes. Once the second had slipped from his grasp 17-15 there was no way back against an opponent playing well and whose confidence was soaring.

It was Nicol's fourth consecutive win at the Al Ahram.

"I beat the two guys above me in the rankings and that's special," he said to me after it was all over.

Watch out - Peter Nicol is coming back.

ALAN THATCHER reports on Nicol's fourth Al-Ahram title...
PETER NICOL retained the Al Ahram title tonight by beating his great rival Jonathon Power in a magnificent battle under the desert stars.

Nicol, currently ranked third, reaffirmed his claim as the world's number one player by beating Power 15-8, 17-15, 15-12 in 60 minutes in his favourite squash venue, the spectacular open-air amphitheatre at the foot of the Great Pyramids.

Nicol said: "I won the World Open on this court and always enjoy playing here." Tonight was no exception as he took the sting out of Power's attacking play and established his own rhythm from the start.

Nicol, from bitter past experience, knows how vital the opening game is against Power and he refused to let the controversial Canadian dominate, winning comfortably with a 15-8 scoreline. However, the second game was full of ferocious exchanges as Power attacked, only for Nicol to squeeze home 17-15. Power continued to look menacing throughout the third but Nicol was tactically superior and played tight, controlled squash to nullify his opponent.

It was a triumphant return to winning ways for Nicol, who surprisingly lost in the first round to Thierry Lincou in Hong Kong. He clearly has his sights set on regaining the number one ranking spot from David Palmer, whom he removed in the semi-finals, and tonight he demolished the challenge of the world number two. He is in the mood to retain his world title, and will be looking for another majestic performance in Boston when he flies across the Atlantic for next week's US Open.

#23: 02-Feb-01, Tournament of Champions Final, New York

[1] Peter Nicol (Sco) bt [2] Jonathon Power (Can)
    15-9, 15-12, 13-15, 13-15, 15-11

Nicol takes his first ToC title

Scotland's world champion Peter Nicol asserted his status as the world's No1 squash player when he beat Canada's defending champion and world No2 Jonathon Power 15-9 15-12 13-15 13-15 15-11 in the final of the $75,000 CSFBdirect Tournament of Champions at New York's Grand Central Terminal to claim the richest US title for the first time.

The 111-minute victory in one of the few PSA Tour events he had not previously won moves the 27-year-old Scot ahead 12-11 in head-to-head career clashes with Power, though the Canadian still has the edge 4-3 on wins in North America.

Asked if winning this title was different from other tournaments, Nicol replied:  "Yes, it's relief, having won it eventually - finally!" With a standing room crowd packed in the paying seats, and spectators standing four and five deep behind the front wall where they could watch for free in the famous station's Vanderbilt Waiting Hall, there was electricity in the air before the match even started. Once play got underway, the crowd was not disappointed.  Nicol played a tight, controlled game and the opportunities for Power to demonstrate his creative shot making were few, although he hit enough to extend the match to its limit.  "Peter just didn't give me any loose balls to hit," said the Canadian.

The contest included several discussions with the referee, a few on-court dives and even a little blood.  With Nicol ahead 13-10 in the third, Power stepped off court for a few minutes to clear up a bloody nose he got after running into his opponent.  At that point, it looked as if the Scotsman was en-route to a 3-0 victory.  The crowd sensed that the match was close to being over, but Power pulled it out 15-13.  "Jonathon didn't give up at 13-10," Nicol said, "and I panicked just a bit."

Although the fourth game went to the Canadian by the identical score, Nicol knew that his opponent, who had strained a leg muscle lunging for a short ball in the third, was hurting.  After taking a 5-4 lead in the fifth, Nicol stayed ahead of Power to win the game 15-11 and take home his first Tournament of Champions title.

#22: 01-Dec-00, Canadian Classic Final, Toronto

[2] Jonathon Power (Can) bt [1] Peter Nicol (Sco)  15/8, 15/4, 15/5

Power scores easy
home win in Toronto

Jonathon Power delighted a packed gallery at the BCE centre in Toronto, winning the final of the new $50,000 event with a comprehensive victory over world #1 Peter Nicol to conclude an historic return of professional squash to Canada after a gap of more than a decade.

Nicol was clearly suffering the effects of a two month lay-off and three long matches to reach the final, and was only able to put up significant resistance for the first half of the first game. From 5-4 up in that first game Nicol fell away as Power levelled their personal head to head record at 11-11.

The announcement that YMG Capital Management would continue sponsorship for at least another year delighted the audience, champion Power and promoter John Nimick, who all see this event as providing a launch pad for a surge in the game in Canada.

#21: 03-Sep-00, Hong Kong Open Final

[1] Peter Nicol (Sco) bt [2] Jonathon Power (Can)
    15-11 15-10 15-6

Nicol retains Cathay Pacific Title

Peter Nicol retained his Cathay Pacific title with a comprehensive 3-0, 43 minute victory over rival Jonathon Power, moving the Scotsman 11-10 ahead of the Canadian in their head to head record.

This was the third successive Cathay Pacific final between the pair, and the easy manner of Nicol's victory, echoing last year's result here and extending his run over Power to 4 victories this year, increases the impression that Nicol is opening up a clear gap over his rivals at the top of men's squash. 

Nicol was in confident mood, dominating from the word go and never letting Power settle into the match. Power cited several problems affecting his performance, including his knee injury from last week, the hand injury from the quarter finals here, and the borrowed racket he was forced to play with after suffering two string breakages, adding that anyone would probably have beaten him 3-0 today. "I felt Peter was playing at about 60 percent of what he is capable of. He was not playing his best but that was still good enough to beat me."

With his eight month unbeaten run intact, Nicol was looking forward to maintaining his dominance and regaining the British Open title he lost to Power in December. "´I want to start there like I did here and keep going. I’m getting mentally stronger and my confidence is getting better," said Nicol. Power too is keen us for the British Open challenge - "I’m going to be ready for the British Open. I’m fired up and hungry again" said the Canadian.

#20: 08-May-00, Super Series Finals semi-final, London

Peter Nicol bt Jonathon Power
   15/5, Power retired

Power Crashes out
Jonathon Power crashed out in the Super Series Semi-Final, forced to pull out with injury after losing the first game 15/5 in just 10 minutes to arch-rival Peter Nicol.
 
"I knew I couldn't continue after 3 points," said Power, who also withdrew yesterday against Simon Parke. "My whole body is seizing up" he added.
 
It was a disinterested performance from Power, who made frequent errors. He blamed the "vicious lunging" he had to do in the early rounds on a cool and dead-ish court. He complained of stiffness in his lower back and right leg.
 
"Up until this I'd been playing well," he said.
 
Whether Power will be able to take part in the 3rd/4th playoff tomorrow remains to be seen ...

#19: 31-Mar-00, PSA Masters Final

[2] Peter Nicol (Sco) bt [1] Jonathon Power (Can) 15-13 15-7 15-6

Nicol confirms Power hold in Al Ahram

In a virtual re-run of the Irish Open final earlier in the month, Peter Nicol confirmed his current hold over Jonathon Power in a final which was only seriously contested in the first game. Their career record now stands at 10-9 to Power, but Nicol looks to be closing in.

Final Report from Ian McKenzie

Power had come to the final easily but now he faced Peter Nicol, a player he used to dominate with ease but who convincingly beat him in Ireland.

Power started well, but whereas throughout this tournament his drops and counter drops front court had been superb they were not of the same clinging precision and Nicol was able to thump the ball past him and keep him back.

With Power leading 13-12, a careless error levelled the scores, and there was a scream of frustration - there was now a degree of tension in his play not there earlier and he had already fallen foul of the referee - and two more careless errors cost him the game 15-13.

From then on it was all-uphill for Power. Nicol ran down his shots, kept the pressure on him and to his frustration ran out the winner 15-13, 15-7, 15-6 in 54 minutes. 

Power hurried away at the end and had to be pursued to return for his press conference duties.

The damage was done in Ireland," said Peter Nicol's father Pat. Perhaps that dominating performance from Nicol had affected Power's confidence and explained the tension.

"The first game was crucial," explained Peter Nicol. "I didn't play as well as I did in Ireland here but once I had that he wasn't interested."

Then explaining his tactics," he added. "Not only did I try to keep him at the back but I made sure that when he came forward that he wasn't settled on the ball."

#18: 12-Mar-00, Irish Open Final, Dublin

[1] Peter Nicol (SCO) bt [2] Jonathon Power (CAN)
     15-12 15-12 15-9

Nicol back on track in Dublin

Scotland's world No1 Peter Nicol avenged his defeat by Canada's world No2 Jonathon Power in last December's British Open final when he beat his arch rival 3-0 in the final .

It was the pair's first meeting since the British Open climax in Nicol's hometown of Aberdeen, where the Scot conceded his title to Power after falling ill with food poisoning. Nicol's win at the Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club reduces Power's career 'head-to-head' lead over him to 10-8.

#17: 12-Dec-99, British Open Final, Aberdeen

[1] Jonathon Power (Can) bt [2] Peter Nicol (Sco)
     15/17 15/12 Nicol retired

Power takes British Open title
as Nicol collapses in Aberdeen

SQUASH followers everywhere will be delighted and relieved that world champion Peter Nicol was allowed home from hospital today after collapsing during Sunday's final of the Eye Group British Open in Aberdeen.

Nicol reluctantly surrendered the title to his great rival, Jonathon Power of Canada, with the score at one game all before a packed and partisan crowd at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.

Nicol was taken to Aberdeen's Royal Infirmary suffering from chronic gastro-enteritis following a sudden bout of food poisoning.

He was detained for two nights but was released this afternoon to go home with his father, Pat, and girlfriend Sally.

Pat said: "It's amazing when you consider that Peter has played all over the world in some countries where you might think he would be susceptible to stomach troubles, and he has never had a problem.

"Then, in a tournament in Aberdeen, just a few miles from his home town of Inverurie, he goes down with this. Peter can see the funny side of it but it hurts if he laughs at the moment."

Peter was clearly still in terrible pain yesterday when Neil Walker and I visited him in hospital. Squash fans everywhere will wish him a speedy recovery as he looks forward to renewing his rivalry with Jonathon on court in the US Tournament of Champions at New York's Grand Central Station in late January 

The final was boiling up to the climax eagerly anticipated by the noisy, flag-waving crowd at the AECC. It was a tragedy for everyone concerned that such a classic confrontation was brought to a premature halt in such unfortunate circumstances.

Jonathon was in tears as he collected his trophy, just as Leilani Joyce had been the day before following her victory over England's world champion Cassie Campion. But there was a huge difference. Leilani's were tears of joy as she cradled the beautiful Edinburgh Crystal trophy.

#16: 29-Aug-99, Hong Kong Open Final

[2] Peter Nicol (Sco) bt [1] Jonathon Power (Can)
      15-10 15-8 15-8

NICOL BLOWS HOT IN HONG KONG
Mike Wilson reports

Scotland's Peter Nicol turned back the clock, and overturned the seedings in the final of the Cathay Pacific Open Squash Championships in Hong Kong yesterday which blew away his arch rival, number one seed and reigning champion Jonathon Power in straight sets to give his world championships a major psychological boost.

Having dropped a set to third seed Ahmed Barada of Egypt in the semi, whilst Power defeated fellow Canadian in straight sets to qualify for the final, there was not a PSA professional in Hong Kong prepared to back the Scot to win his first ever Hong Kong title, except for Nicol himself, whose self belief was unshakeable.

Seeing Nicol sitting, trance-like before the final, whilst Power was his normally laid-back self should have been a hint of what was to come, but it was in fact the Canadian who had the best of the early exchanges, as Nicol seemed tentative in going behind, before finding his range and rhythm, with a string of points eked out from rallies frequently of 50 strokes or more.

Nicol took the first set, 15 - 10 in 18 minutes, and, in the second, the anticipated Power surge never materialised, as Nicol stepped on the gas, dominating his opponent in a fashion rarely seen. An uncharacteristic string of unforced errors from Power was as a consequence of the pressure exerted on the Canadian, Nicol's length and depth unerring throughout a second set he won 15 - 8 in 15 minutes.

The expected Canadian comeback was long overdue, but again, much as Power tried to revive his fortunes and get into a match he had barely contested, an inspired, and totally focused Nicol saw his opportunity for a quick, and emphatic victory.

Incredibly, the Scot had still more fire-power in his locker, and ultimately had Power reduced to a leaden footed by-stander, relentlessly beating the Toronto man with length, depth and touch, manipulating him around the court in a manner which had the sell out crowd clapping every rally and point to Nicol.

The end came, with a composed final set of 15 - 8 for Nicol's first Cathay Pacific Open Squash title, and, as Power hit into the tin at match point, Nicol's joy was as palpable as his relief, as he punched the air, ahead of shaking his opponents hand in as warm an exchange as it is likely to get from these two adversaries.

Speaking immediately after his win, Nicol was clearly overjoyed with his victory, but it was the manner of his performance which had pleased him most. "I came here to win, and I did, and I bossed the match from beginning to end. Jonathon did not play well, but then again I did not let him, and Peter Nicol is still a major force in world squash." He continued, "I was seeing the ball early, confident, but I still feel I can play better than that. I will take a few days rest at home in London before continuing my preparations for Cairo, and I believe I can win there."

Meanwhile, Power was magnanimous in defeat, saying, "Peter deserved to win here today, and he never let me into the match." The Canadian confessed, "I did not feel great out there, and could not get going, but Peter's depth and length were so good, I could not get a toe-hold in the game." He concluded, "Still, I came here to prepare for Cairo, and a win would have been a bonus, but I take many, many positives from my improving performances here, and I will win the world title next month.

Nicol won a first prize of UKL7,500, but gathered insufficient bonus points to overtake Power at the head of the world rankings and go into the world showcase as number one in the world. That said, his confidence must have received a massive boost, not only to win, but to win comprehensively, and it is Power who has it all to do with a fortnight to the shoot out for the undisputed world champion of squash.

#15: 06-Jun-99, Libertel Open Final, Maastricht

[2] Jonathon Power (CAN) bt [1] Peter Nicol (SCO)
     15/13, 15/12, 15/6

Power storms to Libertel title

Canada's world champion and world No. 1 Jonathon Power stormed to a 15/13 15/12 15/6 victory in 44 minutes over Scotland's top seed Peter Nicol in today's (Sunday) final of the $35,000 Libertel Squash Open in Maastricht, Holland.

It was sweet revenge for the 24-year-old from Toronto who lost to Nicol in straight games in May's semi-finals of the Super Series Finals in London only days after succeeding the Scot as world No. 1.

London-based Nicol, 26, said afterwards that he had been affected by a stiff hip which had made it difficult to play as positively as was necessary.

Power's win, his fifth PSA Tour title over the past twelve months, will extend his lead at the top of the Dunlop PSA world rankings.

#14: 06-May-99, Super Series Finals semi-final, London

Peter Nicol (Sco) bt Jonathon Power (Can)
   15-13, 15-2, 15-4  (42m)

Nicol cruises past jaded Power
Howard Harding reports

The second Super Series semi-final between Nicol and world champion Jonathon Power, the Canadian who has just succeeded him as world No. 1, failed to live up to expectations.

London-based Nicol, 26, acknowledged later that he had played well - "exactly as I had planned to do" - while a jaded Power showed few signs of the genius which has taken him to the top of the sport.

Power led throughout most of the first game, but Nicol was relentless in his bid to reach the final. By the second game, Power's magic seemed to have deserted him and, despite winning all his points thereafter with nick shots, he sunk to a 15/13 15/2 15/4 defeat by Nicol in 42 minutes.

"I've been doing too many exhibitions and not enough squash recently - I just wasn't ready for somebody of Peter's calibre tonight," said the Canadian after the match. "I must get home and forget all this world No. 1 and world champion stuff, and prepare myself for the circuit ahead.

#13: 27-Jan-99, Tournament of Champions semi-final, New York

[3] Jonathon Power (Can) bt [1] Peter Nicol (Sco)
     15-10, 15-4, 15-5

Power crushes Nicol in ToC semis

Jonathon Power repeated his World Open victory over Peter Nicol in the Tournament of Champions, but this time took only 3 games in a one-sided semi-final. From 9-5 up in the first Nicol crumbled, scoring only 10 more points to Power's 40.

"It wasn't because I had harder matches during the week than he did that I lost, it was just the way I felt on the day.

 It was a poor performance by me," said Nicol.

Power said "I have been doing a lot more training since winning the world title, so my fitness is higher than before. If I can win the final I should not be too far off becoming world number one."

#12: 05-Dec-98, World Open Final, Qatar

[2] Jonathon Power (Can) bt [1] Peter Nicol (Sco)
      15/17, 15/7, 15/9, 15/10 (72m)

Power takes World Title in Qatar
Ian McKenzie reports

Power started the final in devastating fashion racing to 6-1, taking the ball early, smacking in low cross-courts, hogging the middle cutting the ball short with drop/kills, and passing his opponent with deceptive drives.

"I don't usually have a plan," said Power later, "I go on and wing it."

And wing it he did Power was flying, dominating the play, Nicol was responding. The early balls kept firing down the court from Power, Nicol was working up and down digging drops out of the front and passing Power with wide cross-courts to beat the volley every time Power sent him short. Power however was able to put his opponent short from all parts of the court, shape for a shot, then play another always angling it away Nicol, sliding it crosscourt across the floor when a straight drive looked likely, pulling Nicol short for a drop and then pushing it long so that Nicol was catapulted back to scrap out of the corners and set up a Power volley.

Power was dominant and in control but then suddenly it all slide away. A stroke started the slide, a forced error off a clinging backhand, an easy forehand volley drop tinned and a no let on a Nicol drive when out of position, saw his opponent stand at game ball 14-12. Power levelled risked everything with a forehand volley nick at 13-14 but Nicol seized the advantage with a pressure volley and drive to run out the winner 17-15 after 28 minutes.

Power should have had it. Would that break him? No. Again in the second he raced away with winners to 5-0, Nicol got back to 4-7 then Power's deception twisted and turned him. The first had tired Nicol, his shots went shorter, he counted with drops but Power was onto them punching them away, snapping in kills and passing his opponent with beautifully angled drives to take it 15-7.

Could he keep it up? Would Nicol be able to wear him down? Again in the third Power pushed and pulled his opponent around the court, drops and volley drops played short so easily then deceptive drives that passed his opponent. Nicol was tiring the third went 15-9, and he fought to stay in touch down 9-6, 11-8, and then matchball finally came 14-10, anther volley nick, a fortunate one gave him the title 15-10.

For a tired Nicol 'it was a game to far' for Power his moment. "I've been focusing and visualising this moment," he said. Now the sport has a fantastic rivalry between a new world champion and a world No.1.

BA JET KEEPS WORLD CHAMPION
POWER'S FEET ON THE GROUND
Canada's Jonathon Power was clearly on 'cloud nine' after winning the world squash title for the first time in Qatar at the weekend - but his bid to return to the skies later that evening were thwarted by a faulty altimeter on his London-bound British Airways jet. After more than six hours' delay, the flight was eventually abandoned - leaving Power and his fellow passengers to find hotel accommodation in Doha in the early hours of Sunday morning while a replacement plane was sought. Power had taken the squash world by storm by beating Scotland's world No1 and favourite Peter Nicol 15/17 15/7 15/9 15/10 in the 72-minute final to become the first North American world squash champion.

Eager to get to Amsterdam where a party had been laid on by fellow players, including World Open semi-finalists Anthony Hill and Stefan Casteleyn, Power transferred onto the next available flight to Europe - the midday flight to London, courtesy of event co-sponsors Qatar Airways. At last the world champion was able to savour the benefits of his new status, and was duly toasted in champagne by the crew during this trouble-free journey. Power's historic victory crowned an epic week at the Khalifa International Squash Complex in Doha where the richest-ever men's world championship, featuring a 64-man draw for the first time since 1987, was staged ten weeks after being moved to Qatar from Bangalore in India.

Nicol was seeking a historic squash 'grand slam' in Qatar, hoping to add a debut world title to the Commonwealth Games and British Open crowns he had secured earlier in the year - the former in his first final win against the Canadian for more than two years. Power, who beat Nicol in last year's final of the Qatar International on the all-glass court in Doha but has recently lost three successive times to the Scot, was questioned about his game-plan after the final: "I don't usually have a plan - I just wing it," responded the charismatic Canadian. He acknowledged that he has been taking life somewhat more seriously in the last few months, particularly since his setback at the beginning of the year when he injured his ankle playing a fun game of basketball with his father John - "doing the bonding thing with my Dad," he said at the time. "I must start taking more care of my body," he confided at the post-final press conference.

The ankle problem appeared to have resurfaced during one of the earlier matches, but his later agility belied this. The first time he played without his familiar ankle support was in the final. "I decided about an hour before the match to do without it - much to the annoyance of my coach Mike Way." The new champion was also magnanimous in his praise of his opponent: "Peter has improved his game enormously over the past year. In last month's Heliopolis Open final, he played a phenomenal game," said Power.

Power's triumphant return to his homeland will be delayed until Wednesday, as a result of a Dutch league commitment to Amsterdam team Squash City on Tuesday, when he plays Australian Billy Haddrell. "Whether or not I'll be up for that remains to be seen," admitted the Amsterdam-bound world champion.

#10: 05-Dec-98, US Open Final, Boston

Peter Nicol bt Jonathon Power
  10-15, 15-12, 15-11, 15-3

US Open 1998

#10: 20-Nov-98, Heliopolis Open Final, Cairo

Peter Nicol bt Jonathon Power
  15-12, 12-15, 15-5, 15-9

Heliopolis Open 1998

#9: 16-Sep-98, Commonwealth Games Final, Kuala Lumpur

Peter Nicol bt Jonathon Power
  3-9, 9-2, 9-1, 2-9, 9-2  (79m)

Nicol claims Commonwealth
Gold for Scotland
Howard Harding reports

Scotland's world No1 Peter Nicol finally achieved the victory over Jonathon Power which has eluded him for more than two years, when he defeated the Canadian 3/9 9/2 9/1 2/9 9/2 in the men's singles final of the Commonwealth Games, to win his country's first gold medal of the Kuala Lumpur Games.

Toronto-based Power last beat the 25-year-old Scot from Inverurie in the Hong Kong Open final in August - the sixth successive win by the 24-year-old world No3 since their Hong Kong meeting exactly two years before.

This was a 79-minute final of classic squash confrontation - the fifth game of which, remarkably, was screened live on national BBC television in Britain! 

Afterwards, the ecstatic Nicol, who had earlier remarked that his fourfold aim for the year was to become world No1, win the British Open, claim Commonwealth Gold, and win the World Open, said:  "Now there is just the World Open in India next November to go!  It is a great personal win for me both as part of my career and in my ongoing battle with Jonathon, but it must help to put squash on the map as a major sport also."