Nicol Knocks Out No. 4
US Open 2003 Finals
September 17, 2003
|
| |
Peter Nicol (England) d David Palmer (Australia) 10, (14-15), 15-14, 17-14
Three-time U.S. Open champ, Peter Nicol (England, 1st) and would-be back-to-back champ David Palmer (Australia, 2nd) put on one heck of a show at Symphony Hall Tuesday night. When you consider that the first volley lasted 47 seconds, the full house of spectators put to rest any doubt that these top two seeds were not well matched. Nicol went on a five point streak to start, but Palmer came back with two to make things interesting.
Talk about defining the gentleman's sport, later in game one when Nicol could have easily taken a point (but likely dash any hopes of Palmer passing on his squash talent to future progeny), he took his chances with the refs on a let call (which he received). A quick "thanks" from Palmer and the game resumed. Nicol quickly assumed a 12-7 lead, tossed a few points Palmer's way, but ultimately took the game 15-10.
It was a contest of nicks and boast by both Nicol and Palmer in game 2, when Palmer went up 9-7. Ahhhh, but Nicol, hardly a bad penny as the saying goes, kept turning up...the heat, that is. He hit tin to drop 9-10 and hit it again to drop 10-11. But when the two brought it to 14-all in a heated contest, Nicol was forced to play short and handed Palmer the game.
Several ugly misses early in the game by Nicol kept the match even until 14-all. When Nicol took the serve at set one he ultimately drove Palmer into the tin at the end of a very aggressive volley.
Game four action was once again a back-n-forth match, each matching point for point. At 14-all, Palmer asked for a three-point set. Nicol went up 16-14 in quick measure, taking control of the T, and finished Palmer off with a sharp shot just off the tin.
Post-game Nicol commented, "It was a really tough game and I was lucky enough to win some key points. I was tired at the middle of the fourth, but at the end I was able to push away the ball and make my move."
In the post-event ceremony, Palmer expressed his happiness at making it this far this year (particularly after an emergency appendectomy earlier this spring) and vowed to be back next year.
Next US Tour stop: Motor City Open, Detroit, MI.
|
| |
|
