Welcome to the Endurance World Open Bermuda 2007...
...proudly sponsored by Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd., where the stars of squash will battle for the greatest title on the international circuit.
They’re hungry to be called ‘World Champion’. Their skill and stamina are legendary. And they love the beauty and hospitality of Bermuda. They’ll be giving their all with the Atlantic Ocean as their backdrop, and that’s why people are referring to this event as Endurance… with a view.
World Open – Wrap Up Video
Posted by Tom Quinn on 09-Dec-2007Categories: News Comments: [add a comment]
Amr Shabana is World Champion
Posted by Tom Quinn on 01-Dec-2007Categories: News Comments: [add a comment]
(photo courtesy of Steve Line squashpics.com)
Egyptian Amr Shabana has defeated Gregory Gaultier of France in the final of the Endurance World Open in Bermuda. Shabana, the World number one, becomes the World Champion and crowns a superb year – his win in Bermuda follows back-to-back wins in Saudi, Qatar and Hong Kong.
Shabana won the match 3-0 in 42 minutes with game scores of 11-7, 11-4, 11-6. With the victory the Egyptian becomes one of the select few to have won the World title three times.
The first game saw some great rallies and shots from both players, but Shabana’s kills shots really made the difference, giving him the edge. In the second game the Egyptian dominated – his winners were brilliant, and Gaultier made errors that we had not seen before tonight – Shabana treated the audience to a clinic on squash at the highest level. Game three saw a large number of let plays, and at one point it seemed that Gaultier may have the ability to get back into the match, but Shabana stepped up a gear and Gaultier made several mistakes. Once the Egyptian had a three point lead lead it was apparent that Gaultier was not going to prevail, and the Egyptian raised his arms in victory as he won the deciding point.
After the match, Shabana said that Gaultier was unbeatable 99% of the time, but today he had managed to beat him. But he wasn’t so sure that he would be able to do the same in the future.
The Egyptian was then presented with the World Open trophy by Ken LeStrange, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Title Sponsor Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd.
Semi Final Roundup and Final Preview
Posted by Tom Quinn on 01-Dec-2007Categories: News Comments: [add a comment]
(photo courtesy of Steve Line squashpics.com)
A night of great squash started off with the world number one Amr Shabana defeating current World Champion David Palmer 3-1.
The Egyptian was covering all four corners of the court and his retrievals were excellent. He also made fewer mistakes overall – apart from a streak of tins in the second game, which Palmer won.
Shabana now has the chance to win his third world title in five years. Standing in his way will be Frenchman and number two seed Gregory Gaultier.
Gaultier continued his spectacular form beating Englishman Nick Matthew 3-0. Matthew did not really do too much wrong – Gaultier was just too good, and made it look easy. He hasn’t dropped a game yet in his run to the final.
At 7:30pm tonight the stage will be set for the biggest squash game of the year – the final of the Endurance World Open 2007. It promises to be a great final – the world number one Amr Shabana playing against the in-form Gregory Gaultier.
Quarter Finals Roundup
Posted by on 30-Nov-2007Categories: News Comments: [add a comment]
Last night’s Endurance World Open Squash quarter finals produced one upset, and a dream line-up for tonight’s semi-finals.
We had one upset last night with the defeat of #4th seeded, James Willstrop, by fellow Englishman, 7th seeded Nick Matthew who registered a convincing straight games win against Willstrop.
He’ll be meeting 2nd seed, Gregory Gaultier of France who won against Scotland’s John White by the same score, but the 3 nil scoreline doesn’t begin to reflect how close and exciting this game was. White has always been a great competitor and last night he had the audience gasping as he retrieved some impossible shots before finally going down to the #2 seed.
The match of the night had to be the clash between the world #1 Amr Shabana, and former World Open champion, Thierry Lincou. It was Lincou who struck first, winning the first game, but the Egyptian showed why he’s the world’s top player with a magnificent display of shots and athleticism. He won the match 3-1.
And that means he’ll be playing the current World Open Champion, David Palmer of Australia, who powered his way into the semi-finals with a comprehensive victory over Alex Gough of Wales.
So tonights semi-finals at the Fairmont Southampton venue, which get underway at 7pm not 6 as originally advertised, will be Palmer versus Shabana, a fascinating clash, and Matthew versus Gaultier. It should be a night to remember.
Tickets will be available at the door an hour from 4.30pm.
Roger J. Sherratt, Press Officer, Bermuda Squash Racquets Association
Day 5 – Quarter Finals
Posted by Tom Quinn on 29-Nov-2007Categories: News Comments: [add a comment]
(Photo courtesy of squashpics.com)
The conclusion of the second round yesterday saw some outstanding displays of squash and two tough games for seeds Willstrop and White – but they eventually prevailed.
The real eye-opener was the last match of the evening, where Gregory Gaultier was supremely clinical in his vistory over Hisham Ashour in 26 minutes. The Frenchman made the Egyptian look ordinary – something that is very difficult to do with a player of that class.
Tonight sees a fantastic line-up for the quarter-finals – and what promises to be some spectacular matches. The matches we have in store:
- [1] Amr Shabana (EGY) vs [5] Thierry Lincou (FRA)
- [3] David Palmer (AUS) vs Alex Gough (WAL)
- [4] James Willstrop (ENG) vs [7] Nick Matthew (ENG)
- [2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) vs [6] John White (SCO)
For all the results click here.
