US TOUR
Jonathon Power wins Pace Credit Union Canadian Squash Classic
November 21, 2003
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Final:
Jonathon Power of Canada d David Palmer of Australia 15-4, 12-15, 15-8, 10-15, 15-12 (115 m)
Defending champion and hometown favorite Jonathon Power battled third-seed David Palmer from Australia in a five-game nail-biter to win the final match of the $40,000 Pace Credit Union Canadian Squash Classic at BCE Place in Toronto. Power defeated Palmer 15-4, 12-15, 15-8, 10-15, 15-12 before a very supportive capacity crowd.
Power took the lead early in the first game and didn’t look back, winning 15-4 in a game characterized by superb shot making and incredible rallies. In the second game, David Palmer took an early 5-0 lead and won 15-12 in a game that Power let slip away.
“In the 2nd game I just lost concentration. I got a bad start, my back was hurting, and I was thinking about it and I lost concentration,” said Power. “If I could have closed out the second game I could have won in three, but he got in there and made it a tough fight from there on out.” And a tough fight it was, with numerous twists, tangles and collisions.
Power dominated the third game 15-8, but Palmer came back to take the fourth. In the final game, Power disputed a call and was penalized a point, dropping 4-6. Power battled back in front of the rallying crowd with deft soft corner shots and diving returns to win 15-12.
“I wanted to play my game and move well,” said an exhausted but thrilled Power. “I knew that if I played well, I could take him so I just settled down and played my game and that’s what happened. Getting those few points at the end helped. I found a rhythm in the 5th game.”
David Palmer saw things somewhat differently. “I’m pretty happy with how I played but I’m disappointed the way he plays. I’m playing as fair as I can and I still feel I’m getting disadvantaged by the way he plays. It showed tonight and it’s disappointing. If he chooses to play that way, that’s the way he plays. He doesn’t play the ball. Every time I play an attacking-type shot, he doesn’t want to play the ball.”
The hometown crowd was obviously behind Power. “When you’re suffering physically and you’re really feeling tired, that type of stuff pushes you to grit your teeth and push and dig deep,” said Power. “This is where I grew up playing and I feel comfortable here, and where I feel comfortable, that’s usually where I play well. And I’m happy to win, obviously, in my home town.”
Power thanked the capacity crowd upon winning the tournament. “The squash community in Toronto has always been very good to me and very supportive. Thanks for coming out and pushing me through in those last tough points. I needed that. Believe me.”
Semifinal Report
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