Thaindian News

New Delhi, Dec 18 (IANS) England’s James Willstrop defeated long-time rival Gregory Gaultier of France to win his maiden Punj Lloyd PSA Squash Masters here Sunday after a final that saw a marathon first set and the runner-up retiring in the fourth set.

Willstrop was leading 19-21, 11-8, 11-4, 6-1 when Gaultier complained of pain in his left leg and eventually decided against playing.

The triumph here rounded-off a great year for the Englishman, who ended the season with three back-to-back titles and will become the World No.1 for the first time in his career when the next PSA rankings come out in January. He had come here after winning two World Series events in Hong Kong and Kuwait last month.

“It is an emotional for me. I am very proud to win the tournament and attain the Number one position in India. I also won my first World Junior title in this country,” said an elated Willstop after the 99 minute battle, of which the first set alone accounted for 59 mins.

He had a special mention for his coach and father Malcolm Willstrop. “There are many people I want to thank today but the first one will be my father. He has a done a tremendous amount of work with me and we have gone through a lot in this journey.”

The match might not have ended in an ideal way but the sizeable crowd at the Siri Fort Sports Complex got their money’s worth after watching the two competitors battle it out for each point in the opening set. Even the disinterested lot rushed to the arena from outside as soon as they heard the constant loud cheers from inside, acknowledging the efforts of Willstrop and Gaultier.

To sum it up, that incredible period of play saw 22 points being played and World No.3 Gaultier clinching the set on his sixth game point with a delightful drop off his forehand.

Willstrop got the reward for playing a solid game thought out while the drop of intensity in Gaultier’s game was evident in the second and third sets as he made a slew of unforced errors while trying to cut short the point. Gaultier called for a physio at the end of the third set and could not continue the match for long thereafter. The physio said he suffered a hip flexor injury.

“I was feeling the pain from the last two days and in the morning it got worse. It is a shame that I could not complete the match. I am someone who hates to give up like this. Having said that, I congratulate Willstrop for winning the title and getting to the top of the rankings,” said Gaulltier, himself a former World No.1.

Willstrop, who lost to compatriot Nick Matthew in the last edition here, pocketed $24,938 in prize money while Gaultier was richer by $16,388.