US Tour
Power On!
World No. 4 regains winning form at Motor City Open
September 22, 2003
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Jonathon Power of Montreal earned his 31st professional victory and gained some revenge Saturday night as he beat Thierry Lincou of France in the championship final at the Motor City Open squash tournament.
It was the 29-year-old Canadian’s first victory this season. In 2002, he won four times including the Canadian Classic in Toronto last November, the last time he triumphed at a major tournament.
Power, the top-seed and ranked fourth in the world, beat Lincou, the number-two seed and world number five, 14-15, 15-7, 15-5, 15-7. Lincou had beaten Power in their two previous meetings including a five-game affair in the U.S. Open quarterfinal last week in Boston.
As in Boston, Power got off to a quick start in game one. But at 5-2 up, Power fell hard, clutching his right angle. Grimacing, the Canadian walked it off, but the incident seemed to break his momentum - and suddenly Lincou was right back in it.
Controlling the tempo, the determined Frenchman from Paris battled Power to 8-8 before pulling out to 14-12 and game ball. Two Thierry tins later, however, and it was suddenly 14-14. Lincou asked for no set, and this time it was Power who tinned a forehand, handing the game to Lincou.
"That first game was tough,’’ said Power after the match. ‘’Thierry set a tough pace and hit very precise shots.’’
Game two was a different story. Throwing a dizzying array of soft boasts, tight drives, and drop shot winners at his opponent, Power leapt to a 9-4 lead, and cruised to a 15-7 second game win.
"I felt his legs go in the second game," said Power, 29. "So I started moving him around. I felt I could drop him more without his putting pressure on me."
Lincou, apparently feeling the stress of a long week of squash, admitted his fatigue: "I think I got mentally tired," he said. "Power was definitely up for the match, and I just suddenly felt tired and mentally let it slip."
Power kept up the pressure in games three and four. Lincou dug deep, but Power's pace was relentless, and again a bushel of Lincou errors brought Power to match ball at 14-7. Lincou missed again, and Power raised both
fists into the air in victory.
It was also a good tournament for Graham Ryding of Toronto. He lost to Power in the semifinal 15-9, 15-4, 15-3. In the quarterfinal Ryding beat world number-nine Karim Darwish of Egypt, who was seeded third, for the second week in a row. Ryding is ranked 19th in the world.
"The match against Graham was as well as I have played (this year)," acknowledged Power. "But I think the quarterfinal match took a lot out of Graham. And my pace today took a lot more out of his legs."
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