Mahindra World Open 1998

Barada falls in semis, Nicol in the final - Power is the new World Champ.

Power's Jet Lag | Ian McKenzie Reports | Preview | Draw & Analysis | 1997 Report

Mahindra Men's World Open Championships 1998 29-Nov~5-Dec, Doha, Qatar
2nd Round (1 Dec)	3rd Round (2 Dec)	Quarters (3Dec)	Semis (4 Dec)	FINAL (5 Dec)
[1] Peter Nicol (Scotland) beat Amir Wagih (Egypt) 15-6 15-9 15-13	Peter Nicol 15-13 15-5 12-15 15-12 Billy Haddrell	Peter Nicol 13/15 15/4 17/16 15/9 Paul Johnson	Peter Nicol   15/8 15/13 15/7 45 mins Stefan Casteleyn	Peter Nicol 15/17 15/7 15/9 15/10 72 mins   Jonathon Power
Billy Haddrell (Aus) beat Julian Wellings (England) 12-15 15-13 9-15 15-11 15-14
[6] Paul Johnson (England) beat Craig Rowland (Australia) 17-14 15-10 15-12	Paul Johnson 8-15 15-10 15-10 15-17 15-5 Del Harris
[13] Del Harris (England) beat Chris Tomlinson (England) 15-9 15-5 15-6
Stefan Casteleyn (Belgium) beat [3] Rodney Eyles (Australia) 12-15 15-10 15-13 17-16	Stefan Casteleyn 15-17 15-13 15-12 15-8 Chris Walker	Stefan Casteleyn 10/15 15/13 15/9 17/15 John White
[10] Chris Walker (England) beat David Evans (Wales) 15-11 13-15 15-8 15-9
[8] Simon Parke (England) beat Omar El Borolossy (Egypt) 15-12 15-10 15-13	Simon Parke 8-15 15-11 13-15 15-5 15-11 John White
John White (Scotland) beat [11] Dan Jenson (Australia) 15-11 15-12 12-15 16-17 15-10
Marcus Berrett (England) beat [14] Byron Davis (Australia) 15-9 15-12 15-5	Marcus Berrett 15-4 15-8 15-6 Anthony Hill	Anthony Hill 13/15 15/11 15/10 15/7 Alex Gough	Anthony Hill   15/3 13/15 15/10 15/8 48mins   Jonathon Power
[7] Anthony Hill (Australia) beat Thierry Lincou (France) 15-5 15-8 13-15 12-15 15-14
Lee Beachill (England) beat [12] Mark Cairns (England) 15-13 15-11 15-8	Lee Beachill 15-12 15-9 15-11 Alex Gough
[4] Alex Gough (Wales) beat Nicholas Taylor (England) 15-6 15-13 15-5
Tony Hands (England) beat David Palmer (Australia) 13-15 15-13 15-7 15-7	Tony Hands 15-7 15-8 14-15 15-9 Ahmed Barada	Ahmed Barada 15/5 15/2 15/3 Jonathon Power
[5] Ahmed Barada (Egypt) beat Martin Heath (Scotland) 15-6 14-17 15-11 15-7
[15] Graham Ryding (Canada) beat Amjad Khan (Pakistan) 15-10 15-13 15-11	Graham Ryding 15-4 15-4 15-11 Jonathon Power
[2] Jonathon Power (Canada) beat Tim Garner (England) 15-13 15-13 15-8 15:54 12-01-98

BA JET KEEPS WORLD CHAMPION POWER'S FEET ON THE GROUND

Canada's Jonathon Power was clearly on 'cloud nine' after winning the world squash title for the first time in Qatar at the weekend - but his bid to return to the skies later that evening were thwarted by a faulty altimeter on his London-bound British Airways jet. After more than six hours' delay, the flight was eventually abandoned - leaving Power and his fellow passengers to find hotel accommodation in Doha in the early hours of Sunday morning while a replacement plane was sought. Power had taken the squash world by storm by beating Scotland's world No1 and favourite Peter Nicol 15/17 15/7 15/9 15/10 in the 72-minute final to become the first North American world squash champion.


Eager to get to Amsterdam where a party had been laid on by fellow players, including World Open semi-finalists Anthony Hill and Stefan Casteleyn, Power transferred onto the next available flight to Europe - the midday flight to London, courtesy of event co-sponsors Qatar Airways. At last the world champion was able to savour the benefits of his new status, and was duly toasted in champagne by the crew during this trouble-free journey. Power's historic victory crowned an epic week at the Khalifa International Squash Complex in Doha where the richest-ever men's world championship, featuring a 64-man draw for the first time since 1987, was staged ten weeks after being moved to Qatar from Bangalore in India.

Nicol was seeking a historic squash 'grand slam' in Qatar, hoping to add a debut world title to the Commonwealth Games and British Open crowns he had secured earlier in the year - the former in his first final win against the Canadian for more than two years. Power, who beat Nicol in last year's final of the Qatar International on the all-glass court in Doha but has recently lost three successive times to the Scot, was questioned about his game-plan after the final: "I don't usually have a plan - I just wing it," responded the charismatic Canadian.  He acknowledged that he has been taking life somewhat more seriously in the last few months, particularly since his setback at the beginning of the year when he injured his ankle playing a fun game of basketball with his father John - "doing the bonding thing with my Dad," he said at the time. "I must start taking more care of my body," he confided at the post-final press conference.

The ankle problem appeared to have resurfaced during one of the earlier matches, but his later agility belied this. The first time he played without his familiar ankle support was in the final. "I decided about an hour before the match to do without it - much to the annoyance of my coach Mike Way." The new champion was also magnanimous in his praise of his opponent: "Peter has improved his game enormously over the past year. In last month's Heliopolis Open final, he played a phenomenal game," said Power.
In his post-presentation speech, Power also paid tribute to sponsors McDonald's and Dunlop, the British racket brand to which his three-year signing was announced in Qatar. "This is truly the racket of world champions - both of us are using Dunlop," said the Canadian, referring to women's world champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald. 

Power's triumphant return to his homeland will be delayed until Wednesday, as a result of a Dutch league commitment to Amsterdam team Squash City on Tuesday, when he plays Australian Billy Haddrell. "Whether or not I'll be up for that remains to be seen," admitted the Amsterdam-bound world champion.

Reports & Results

The Final - from Ian McKenzie
Power started the final in devastating fashion racing to 6-1, taking the ball early, smacking in low crosscourts, hogging the middle cutting the ball short with drop/kills, and passing his opponent with deceptive drives. "I don't usually have a plan," said Power later, "I go on and wing it." And wing it he did Power was flying, dominating the play, Nicol was responding. The early balls kept firing down the court from Power, Nicol was working up and down digging drops out of the front and passing Power with wide crosscourts to beat the volley every time Power sent him short. Power however was able to put his opponent short from all parts of the court, shape for a shot, then play another always angling it away Nicol, sliding it crosscourt across the floor when a straight drive looked likely, pulling Nicol short for a drop and then pushing it long so that Nicol was caterpaulted back to scrap out of the corners and set up a Power volley. Power was dominant and in control but then suddenly it all slide away. A stroke started the slide, a forced error off a clinging backhand, an easy forehand volley drop tinned and a no let on a Nicol drive when out of position, saw his opponent stand at game ball 14-12. Power levelled risked everything with a forehand volley nick at 13-14 but Nicol seized the advantage with a pressure volley and drive to run out the winner 17-15 after 28 minutes.

Power should have had it. Would that break him? No. Again in the second he raced away with winners to 5-0, Nicol got back to 4-7 then Power's deception twisted and turned him. The first had tired Nicol, his shots went shorter, he counted with drops but Power was onto them punching them away, snapping in kills and passing his oppponent with beautifully angled drives to take it 15-7.

Could he keep it up? Would Nicol be able to wear him down? Again in the third Power pushed and pulled his opponent around the court, drops and volley drops played short so easily then deceptive drives that passed his opponent. Nicol was tiring the third went 15-9, and he fought to stay in touch down 9-6, 11-8, and then matchball finally came 14-10, anther volley nick, a fortunate one gave him the title 15-10.

For a tired Nicol 'it was a game to far' for Power his moment. "I've been focusing and visualising this moment," he said. Now the sport has a fantastic rivalry between a new world champion and a world No.1.

Interview (Johnathon Power after the 1/4 final)
Johnathon Power spoke to The Squash Player after a devastating display against World No.2 Ahmed Barada when he crashed the Egyptian 15-5, 15-2, 15-3 in just 29 minutes. "He has slipped into my No.2 position in the world," said Power & I wanted to show him what it's about. He didn't play well but I didn't let him. I played fast and I didn't let him get into a rhythm. I was seeing it early and was onto it keeping him off balance. I was moving well across the court and I cut it off." Power volleyed whole successions of balls on end always seeming to angle and fade it away from the Egyptian who in the end was sorely embarrassed. And on a potential final clash with Nicol he said: "I'm getting fitter. I became overconfident and thought I could rely on my natural ability but he kept improving his game. He has developed his game to beat me and studied videos of me."
Following 6 consecutive wins for Power Nicol has come back to win Commonwealth gold, the US Open and the Heliopolis Open. "I've been working and playing events and I've got to play my game. I dominate the play but he hangs in and breaks me physically and he's stronger mentally," said Power. One thing Power has in his favour is the court. He likes it, he beat Nicol on her last time and says it suits him. "We had an epic on here last year and we were both physically spent." "If we meet it's going to be ugly," said Power. Nicol has his own plans. "I'm World No.1 and I really want to be World Champion as well," he said.

The semi-finals
The first time Casteleyn had played Nicol was in this World Open semi-final. Of the 23 rallies in their first game Casteleyn decided the outcome of 22 of them. He played positively catching a strangely lack lustre Nicol with winning drops and boasts to edge ahead 7-6 and looked quite at home until 5 tins in a row gave Nicol 11-7. Casteleyn caught Nicol with a trickle boast was stroked, tinned three times more to give Nicol the game. The score looked easy 15-8 but Nicol only contributed one final point - a mistake and there was just one to Castelyn's 14. Seven of Castelyn's boasts tinned - no way to beat the World No.1. Again in the second Castelyn's positive play - winning drops, trickle boasts, kills and his speed onto openings troubled a lethargic Nicol and who edged home 15-13 and then from 6-4 in the third he conntrolled the rallies and surged with a series of winners to 14-4 and the game 15-7.     "I'm pleased I got to the semi's but would have liked to have done better," said Castelyn. "I made mistakes. He got there fast and put pressure on me." We will be hearing more from Castelyn.

This was far short of a dominating performance from Nicol but compared to Castelyn it was error free which in squash is a marvellous attribute. "There are some things I need to improve on - speed onto the ball, I wasn't sharp enough and I played off him," said Nicol of his inability to dominate the play and then he was questioned on the tournament he had played for there was definitely a lack of freshness in his play. "The more matches I play the better," he said. "Physically I can cope and mentally I want to win." Power fresh from a devastating display that humbled the new World No.2 continued in similar vein against Hill who played some good shots but made plenty of mistakes. Power oozed confidence and played with the ball as if he had it on a string to win 15-3.  Hill responded with good winners to go 4-1 up in the second, Power snatched the lead back 4-5, Hill was stroked and argued. This was the opportunity that referee Jack Allen had been waiting for. "Conduct warning, dissent," he said. Hill was not to impressed with this and told the referee so. "Conduct stroke, dissent," said a terse Allen. Hill was even less impressed with this and as his month opened Allen prized it shut for him. "Make any more comment and you will not finish the match," said Allen. It was confrontational, one wished that there was another way, and probably with Hill there isn't and at least he did it. Well a strange thing happened Hill settled to play squash and very good squash too. Powers concentration no Hill's cracked.

"I was waiting for him to toss it in," said Power afterwards. "I lost concentration at that point. He got a run and I had to fight hard. He played better and volleyed well and he read my game well and that pisssed me off. I couoldn't get into my position in the middle".

Power who had been performing magic in the middle at will made mistakes, Hill volleyed challenged Power up front and showed what a good player he could be. The second went to Hill 15-13 and at 8 all in the third an upset was possible, Hill went short too much and Power finished it with some brilliant deceptive passing shots 15-10 but it was close enough. Power's fast racket work, drop/kills getting touch off heavily cut shots gave him a 11-3 lead, Hill got back but lost it 15-8.

Questions quickly turned to the morrow. "I'm feeling I'm playing well. If I'm on top of my game I have a good chance," he said. "This is the moment I've been waiting for. It will be a serious battle" but he seemed ill at easy, preoccupied. Both Nicol and Power had been vulnerable and both had won comfortably in the end.

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Semi-Finals

Peter Nicol and  Jonathon Power will meet in Saturday's final  - Nicol returning for the second successive year, and Power making his first appearance in a World Open climax. Nicol beat unseeded Stefan Casteleyn, the first continental European to reach the last four of a World Open, 15/8 15/13 15/7 in 45 minutes in the first semi-final.  "It's the first time I've ever played him," said Castelayn afterwards.  "He made it tough for me, after all he is the number one in the world." Nicol commented:  "It was certainly harder than the score suggests.  The ball was moving surprisingly fast around the court, and so was Stefan, though he began to tire quickly. I guess he's not as used to the gruelling schedule that a 64-man draw such as this demands."

On the prospect of the final, Nicol said:  "I desperately want to win the world title - it's the last match of the year for me, and I'll be giving it one hundred and ten percent."

Power defeated controversial Australian Anthony Hill 15/3 13/15 15/10 15/8 in the other semi-final in 48 minutes.  Referee Jack Allen cautioned Hill for dissent in the second game, then gave him a conduct stroke.  This led to a marked improvement in his play, resulting in Power conceding the first game of the tournament. "I know I give referees a hard time - I've been trying to keep out of trouble all week, but it doesn't seem to have worked," said Hill later.  Of
his opponent, Hill said:  "Peter Nicol has got his work cut out tomorrow - Jonathon is unbelievable, and if he plays like he did today he'll be the new World Champion."

Power responded:  "This is the moment I've been waiting for all year.  My body is in good shape, hopefully I can capitalise on tomorrow's chance."

It will be Nicol and Power's fifth final meeting this year, with the Canadian victorious in the Hong Kong Open in August, and the Scot successful in the Commonwealth Games in September, and in the US and Heliopolis Opens last month.

Quarter-Finals

Despite his off-court problems, having been reported to the PSA for his behaviour in this event, Australia's 'bad boy' Anthony Hill continues to show his on-court talent, and disposed of Wleshman Alex Gough to reach the semis in an often bad-tempered match. He now meets Jonathon Power, who won a very one-sided match against Ahmed Barada.

In the top half, Peter Nicol saved a crucial game ball in the fourth against Paul Johnson before winning 3-1 to go through to the semis where he meets Belgian Stefan Castelayn who overcame Aussie turned Scot John White to continue his giant-killing run and become the first Belgian to make the last four in this event.

3rd Round

Stefan Castelayn continued his giant-killing run, disposing of Chris Walker, to earn a quarter-final place against another giant-killer, John White, who defeated Simon Parke. Of the English seeds only Paul Johnson remains and now faces Peter Nicol who dropped a game to unseeded Aussie Billy Haddrell and was 6-12 down in the fourth before prevailing. Castelayn said that, with respect to reigning champion Eyles whom he beat in the previous round, reaching the World Open quarter-finals was a 'bigger deal'. The bottom half of the draw throws up a quarter-final clash between the current world #2 and #3 as Ahmed Barada faces Jonathon Power.

2nd Round

Rodney Eyles suffered a double blow on the third day of the Mahindra World Open. He arrived at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha to learn that he had been deposed by his protege Dan Jenson as Australia's No1 player in the new Dunlop PSA world rankings - and was then promptly relieved of his world title by Belgian Stefan Casteleyn. Casteleyn had never beaten Eyles before, but said afterwards that he knew in the second game that victory was in his sights. "I was just treating it as an ordinary match, not thinking of him as a world champion. On the day I was the more agile player, able to take advantage of the very slow centre court," said the jubilant 24-year-old after his 12/15 5/10 15/13 17/16 win in 61 minutes.

A dismal day for Australia was compounded further by the loss of 11th seed Dan Jenson, the new world No6 who lost to former compatriot John White - now playing in Scottish colours - 15/11 15/12 12/15 16/17 15/10 in 79 minutes. Aussie success now rests in the hands of Billy Haddrell and Anthony Hill, both of whom saved matchballs in their fifth games to beat Julian Wellings and Thierry Lincou respectively.

Jonathon Power overcame Tim Garner 15/13 15/13 15/8 in 50 minutes, but was fortunate to survive this close-fought encounter after aggravating his old ankle injury in the first game. Barely able to move his right ankle, which was covered in ice packs, he admitted immediately after the match that he hoped that this wasn't going to lead to a repeat of the fate he suffered at this year's British Open, when he was forced to withdraw. "I am just hoping that a good night's rest, and lots of physio and pain killers in the morning, will set me up for the next round," said a dejected Power. His opponent will be his travelling companion and compatriot Graham Ryding, who defeated Amjad Khan 15/10 15/13 15/11 in 40 minutes to end the Pakistani interest in the tournament.

1st Round

Jonathon Power was in sparkling form as he dismissed 18-year-old Pakistani Mansoor Zaman in straight games in his opening match. Zaman, however, the son of four-times World Open finalist Qamar Zaman, was far from overawed by the occasion, making Power work hard for every point. Power, who moved up to a career-equalling No3 in today's new world rankings, ultimately won 15/12 15/8 15/5 in 30 minutes, the shortest full match of the day.

The revelation of the December Dunlop PSA world rankings in Doha did little to boost Derek Ryan, who achieved a career-high No10 placing, then became the biggest casualty of the day. Seeded 16, he was beaten 13/15 15/8 17/16 15/13 in 83 minutes by Australia's world No43 David Palmer.

England's future promise in world squash was confidently demonstrated by two young Yorkshire players - Lee Beachill and Marcus Berrett. Beachill, who celebrated his 21st birthday on the day he qualified for the 1998 World Open, removed Julien Bonetat 15/11 6/15 15/9 15/8 in 60 minutes to become today's only qualifier to reach the second round. Meanwhile Berrett celebrated his elevation to the world top 50 by beating Stephen Meads in 85 minutes.

Martin Heath became a world top five player for the first time today, then almost struggled to win his first round match against qualifier Anthony Ricketts before surviving 16/17 15/14 1/15 15/13 15/7 in 70 minutes. His reward is a second round encounter with Ahmed Barada, a repeat of September's Al-Ahram International final in Egypt. Barada, who also reached a career-high position of No2 in the new world rankings, took 64 minutes to overcome Joseph Kneipp 15/13 12/15 15/13 15/11.

Chaloner Crashes out on day one

The opening match on the showcourt on the first day's play produced a predictable upset, with Mark Chaloner crashing out 13/15 16/17 15/11 15/10 15/5 in 66 minutes to Billy Haddrell. This was Chaloner's first major tournament appearance since undergoing cartilage surgery on his right knee six weeks ago, but it also marked the third victory by Haddrell over Chaloner in a week, after consecutive wins in the Dutch and German league.

Qualifier Paul Hargrave raised English hopes when he saved four match balls to take the third game against reigning world champion Rodney Eyles, but Eyles was in no mood to concede his title so early in the event, however, and soon closed down the 23-year-old in the fourth game to take the match 15/7 15/14 14/17 15/10 in 54 minutes.

Top seed Peter Nicol was able to enjoy the grand Opening Ceremony at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha before taking to the Centre Court for a bid for his maiden World Open title. Pakistan's Kumail Mahmood, ranked almost seventy places below the Scot, provided determined opposition but fell in straight games 15/11 15/6 15/8.

England's Chris Tomlinson became the only qualifier to survive the first day, after a 17/16 15/8 15/13 win over fancied Australian Stewart Boswell. His reward is a second round match against Del Harris, whose miserable form this year has taken the No13 seed to a lowly 23 in the world rankings. He overcame  Mir Zaman Gul 15/5 15/11 15/7, thereby gaining revenge for the loss in their first World Open meeting in 1987.

Qualifier Davide Bianchetti, the first Italian to appear in a World Open, was unable to capitalise on his two game and 5/1 advantage over Craig Rowland, but kept the Australian on the court for 90 minutes before submitting 15/17 8/15 15/6 15/6 15/8.

1st round (1st day):
[1] Peter Nicol (SCO) bt Kumail Mahmood PAK)    15/11 15/6 15/8
Amir Wagih (EGY) bt Shamsul Islam Khan (PAK)    15/5 15/9 15/7
Billy Haddrell (AUS) bt [9] Mark Chaloner (ENG)    13/15 16/17 15/11 15/10 15/5 (66 mins)
Julian Wellings (ENG) bt Paul Price (AUS)    17/15 11/15 15/11 15/11 (86 mins)
[6] Paul Johnson (ENG) bt [Q] Adam Toes (ENG)    15/12 3/15 15/4 15/11 (62 mins)
Craig Rowland (AUS) bt [Q] Davide Bianchetti (ITA)    15/17 8/15 15/6 15/6 15/8 (90 mins)
[13] Del Harris (ENG) bt Mir Zaman Gul (PAK)    15/5 15/11 15/7 (43 mins)
[Q] Chris Tomlinson (ENG) bt Stewart Boswell (AUS)    17/16 15/8 15/13 (60 mins)
[3] Rodney Eyles (AUS) bt [Q] Paul Hargrave (ENG)    15/7 15/14 14/17 15/10 (54 mins)
Stefan Casteleyn (BEL) bt Kashif Shuja (PAK)    15/8 15/4 15/12 (23 mins)
[10] Chris Walker (ENG) bt Karim El Mistikawi (EGY)    15/6 15/13 15/8
David Evans (WAL) bt Janne Kyttanen (FIN)    15/7 15/8 15/11 (42 mins)
[8] Simon Parke (ENG) bt John Williams (AUS)    15/5 10/15 15/8 15/10 (62 mins)
Omar Elborolossy (EGY) bt [Q] Mika Monto (FIN)    15/13 15/7 15/12 (40 mins)
[11] Dan Jenson (AUS) bt Zubair Jahan Khan (PAK)    15/6 15/6 15/13 (28 mins)
John White (AUS) bt [Q] Humayum Khan (PAK)    15/11 15/6 15/11 (31 mins)

1st round (2nd day):
Marcus Berrett (ENG) bt Stephen Meads (ENG)    15/9 15/11 13/15 5/15 15/13 (85 mins)
[14] Byron Davis (AUS) bt Nathan Dugan (ENG)    9/15 9/15 17/15 15/7 15/11 (72 mins)
Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt Zarak Jahan Khan (PAK)    14/17 15/5 15/12 15/12 (69 mins)
[7] Anthony Hill (AUS) bt Juha Raumolin (FIN)    15/7 17/15 12/15 10/15 15/9 (72 mins)
[Q] Lee Beachill (ENG) bt Julien Bonetat (FRA)    15/11 6/15 15/9 15/8 (60 mins)
[12] Mark Cairns (ENG) bt Glenn Whittaker (RSA)    15/13 15/7 13/15 15/12 (102 mins)
Nick Taylor (ENG) bt Amr Shabana (EGY)    15/7 15/6 ret.
[4] Alex Gough (WAL) bt Abdul Faheem Khan (HKG)    15/10 15/10 15/13 (39 mins)
Tony Hands (ENG) bt Moh'd Medhat Morsi (EGY)    15/12 15/8 15/5 (36 mins)
David Palmer (AUS) bt [16] Derek Ryan (IRL)    13/15 15/8 17/16 15/13 (83 mins)
Martin Heath (SCO) bt [Q] Anthony Ricketts (AUS)    16/17 15/14 1/15 15/13 15/7 (70 mins)
[5] Ahmed Barada (EGY) bt Joseph Kneipp (AUS)    15/13 12/15 15/13 15/11 (64 mins)
Amjad Khan (PAK) bt Daniel Forslund (SWE)    11/15 15/12 15/12 5/15 15/11 (63 mins)
[15] Graham Ryding (CAN) bt Ahmed Faizy (EGY)    15/11 8/15 17/15 15/11 (75 mins)
Tim Garner (ENG) bt Mohammed Hussain (PAK)    15/11 12/15 15/7 15/6 (76 mins)
[2] Jonathon Power (CAN) bt Mansoor Zaman (PAK)    15/12 15/8 15/5 (30 mins)

Tournament Preview

Scotland's world No1 Peter Nicol is top seed in the $175,000 Mahindra World Open  and is poised to become the first squash player in history to win the British Open, the Commonwealth Games and the world title in the same year. The sport's richest-ever World Open, which boasts a record 64-man draw, begins in Qatar this Sunday (29 November).

Nicol has already amassed six major titles since becoming the first Briton to top the world rankings in February. His Pakistani predecessor Jansher Khan, whose reign as world No1 remarkably spanned ten years from January 1988, has been plagued by injury this year and recently withdrew his bid to extend his record of eight World Open titles.

Canada's Jonathon Power is seeded to face Nicol in the world final in Doha on Saturday (5 December). The meeting would be the pair's fifth final this year - the Scot having just claimed his third consecutive victory over the Canadian in the Heliopolis Open, after ending Power's succession of six wins over two years in September's Commonwealth Games final in Malaysia.

"I definitely played better than on previous occasions against Jonathon," said Nicol after last week's Heliopolis final. "I believe that my standard of play has improved by about another 5-10% in the past couple of months." Power, however, was the last PSA Tour winner in Doha, beating Nicol 3-2 in the Qatar International in November 1997, thus becoming the first ever North American winner of a Super Series event.

Australia's defending champion Rodney Eyles is third seed, though he has failed to reach a PSA Tour final since winning his sole World Open title a year ago in Malaysia. Whilst fourth seed Alex Gough has also experiencing mixed fortunes in recent months, the Welshman was a semi-finalist in last year's World Open - and won two PSA Tour titles earlier this year (the Greenwich and Lisbon Expo Opens) as well as claiming a bronze medal in the KL Commonwealth Games.

Ahmed Barada heads the Egyptian interest, seeded to reach the last eight for the second successive year. The Cairo-based 21-year-old further enhanced his superstar status in his home country when he won the Al-Ahram International in Egypt in October - the circuit's second richest event of the year, and his first Super Series title.

Seventh-seeded Londoner Paul Johnson leads the English interest, supported by five further compatriots amongst the top sixteen seeds. The left-hander, a double Commonwealth Games medallist with gold in the men's doubles (with Mark Chaloner) and bronze in the singles, already has two 98 PSA Tour titles under his belt (New York's Apawamis Open and the Hungarian Open). His seeding predicts his first ever World Open quarter-final appearance.

Johnson's England team-mate Simon Parke, the former world No4, has secured a top eight seeding as a result of Jansher Khan's withdrawal. Anxious to make amends for his recent drop to No14 in the world rankings, he will be boosted by his semi-final placings in this month's US and Heliopolis Opens.

Notable candidates for success amongst the lower seeds include Mark Chaloner, the Englishman who trounced Peter Nicol 3-0 in the British National Championships on the day he became world No1, and is coming back after aggravating a knee injury in the Kuwait Open quarter-finals; Australian Dan Jenson, also on a comeback trail after ankle surgery, who followed quarter-final placings in the US and Pakistan Opens with a semi-final berth in the Heliopolis Open as a qualifier; Power's Canadian compatriot Graham Ryding, who upset top seed Ahmed Barada to reach the final of this month's Pakistan Open; and Ireland's Derek Ryan, who followed his runner-up status in the Kuwait Open by winning the Pepsi International tournament in Pakistan.

First round draw: