PSA: Ramy roars to third ToC title in New York
Comeback King Ashour Takes Third ToC Title In New York
25 January 2013
RESULTS: PSA World Series J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions, New York, USA
Final:
[4] Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt [3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 7-11, 6-11, 12-10, 11-3, 11-1 (72m)
From HOWARD HARDING
Egyptian squash ace Ramy Ashour became only the third player to win the prestigious PSA World Series title a third time when he recovered from two games down to beat French rival Gregory Gaultier in the final of the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions at Grand Central Terminal in New York.
The world number one and world champion from Cairo staged a dramatic comeback on the all-glass court in the Vanderbilt Hall to overcome third seed Gaultier 7-11, 6-11, 12-10, 11-3, 11-1 in 72 minutes.
The first two games were owned by Gaultier. The 30-year-old from Aix-en-Provence established possession of the T early in the match, using stinging pace and tight shots to keep the ball deep in the backcourt and deadly drops to move his opponent the full length of the court.
“It was an especially impressive performance given that each of Gaultier’s last two matches had been physically demanding and lengthy,” explained tournament spokesman Beth Rasin.
The Frenchman himself found his initial performance unexpected. “I was surprised with the way I was moving in the first two games,” Gaultier noted after the match.
The 25-year-old Egyptian, who is often a slow starter, started to find his rhythm in third game – not a moment too soon. With a two-point lead for most of the game, Ashour was able to take the edge off Gaultier’s previously relentless attack. Even so, down game ball at 9-10, Gaultier hit a cross court roll nick that tied the game.
Just two points away from losing the match, Ashour – as he has consistently proven himself capable of doing – stepped up in a big way. Having forced a loose ball to the middle from Gaultier’s racket and with the Frenchman pinned behind him, Ashour quick flicked the ball for a backhand nick rollout winner. He followed that with a backhand cross court nick winner to take the game.
The TV cameras that were providing the live feed zoomed in on Ashour, whose competitive desire was evident in his wide eyed and focused expression.
The 20-minute third game took a big toll on Gaultier, who managed to stay close only through two-all in the fourth game. At 5-2, the play became fast and furious with each player hitting three reflex volleys until Ashour hit a backhand volley winner from the gut which brought the standing room only crowd to its feet with raucous applause.
Ashour turned to face the crowd and played air guitar with his racquet to acknowledge his delight in having won the point in such spectacular fashion. From that point on, Ashour took complete control of the match.
“Once he saw my energy drop, he raised the pace even more and that was it for me,” observed Gaultier.
Ashour closed out the match with an 11-1 fifth game win to become only the third player to win three Tournament of Champions titles, and the first since Briton Peter Nicol in 2004.
“The thing is, I have never seen Greg so relaxed as he was in the first two games,” Ashour said in his post-match interview. “He was more than perfect in the first two games.”
Ashour, who had previously mentioned his desire to be known as a fighter, certainly provided ample evidence of his fighting will in the championship match.
“What Ashour has demonstrated this week is that any lead against him is tenuous at best,” said tournament commentatorWill Carlin.
Ashour continued: “With Greg playing so well in the beginning, I just had to keep digging. To beat Greg when is playing as well as he did at the beginning of the match, is amazing. I am so proud of myself.”
Event website: www.tocsquash.com
For all the latest Tour news: www.psaworldtour.com
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