• Daily reports from Robert Edwards,
  PSA technical director and the "Voice of Squash",
  on the Qatar Classic 2001 ...

Day Five - Party Time !!!

PARTY TIME BY THE GULF
Last night, following the quarter-finals, all the players and officials were invited to the tournament party which took place under the stars alongside the Sheraton and the beautiful Gulf waters.

The evening began with a succession of special guests and sponsors receiving gifts from the President of the Qatar Squash Federation, Nabil Ali Bin Ali, followed by a spectacular water show accompanied by music and a colourful light show. The six international referees here have special reason to remember the night as they are all sporting new watches - no excuses for not getting the players onto court on time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
On a light note, I was guilty of embarrassing young Adrian Grant by announcing to the audience that it was his 21st birthday and that he was missing his mum! To his extreme embarrassment I called him up onto the stage, and all the PSA and WISPA players came around to give him a wonderful rendition of 'happy birthday' to the accompaniment of the singers and musicians.

Young Adrian survived to an hour past midnight I hear (I, of course, was early to bed). He managed to give me a weak grin this morning before staggering off in the opposite direction. Welcome to the tour, Adrian ...

A NEW STAR ON THE TOUR
Just before the party finished Jahangir Khan, Gawain Briars, Chris Walker and myself retired for a nightcap. In my new role as JK's manager I negotiated the deal for the great man's next pro-player challenge. Willy was a hard negotiator, but after what seemed like hours of to-ing and fro-ing we finally shook on an 8-point start and $40 per game. I went off to calculate my 20% while JK did some finger exercises in readiness for counting his money.

I didn't see the game, but I've just come across Willy Walker by the poolside, and hardly recognised him as the confident young man of last night. For some reason he refused to divulge the score to me, but fortunately JK appeared to impart the news. After talking up the young Walker's prospects at next year's British Open Over-35 competition Jahangir revealed that once again he was the winner. I'm seriously thinking of giving up all my other roles to concentrate on Jahangir's comeback ...

SAD NEWS FROM QATAR
Sadly, I have to report that the reign of myself and Gawain Briars on the PSA golf course has come to a premature end. We shook hands on the 17th this morning with Paul (PJ) Johnson and Nick (lucky) Taylor. We have not paid our dues yet, until Gawain in his role as our legal brain receives confirmation of the pair's true handicaps from the Royal and Ancient. I suspect that the 18 that they each declared is overgenerous, but a rematch is nevertheless planned for Bombay.

QUOTES OF THE DAY
PSA players are gracious in both victory and defeat, as evidenced by these quotes extracted from two of the tour's stars from the poolside.

Chris Walker on his defeat at the hands of Jahangir: "It was a pleasure to lose to the greatest player the world has ever seen. Handing over the money was a bit difficult though."

JK whops Willy

John White, on his victory over Jonathon Power: "It was great that Jon, in his usual way, offered no excuses, and conceded that on the night the Great White just had too many teeth."

Day Four - Quarter-Finals day

PALMER SCRAMBLES TO VICTORY
Top seed and world number one David Palmer scored a 3-0 victory over Thierry Lincou, and reached the semi-finals in some style.

At 14-all in the third Palmer called 'set one', and there followed one of the most sensational rallies I've ever witnessed. About 20 strokes into the rally Palmer flipped and dived for the ball to make an outstanding recovery. Then, a few shots later, his French opponent returned the compliment, falling not once but twice. He recovered the ball on both occasions, and by now the crowd was applauding and roaring its approval. When Titi slipped a third time, Palmer was able to put the noise out of his mind, and put the ball away for the winner which sealed the match. What a finish.

WHITE STAR RISES
The final match saw the day's biggest upset, with Australian-born, English-based, Scot John White take out Jonathon Power with an awesome display of squash. This was no surprise win, John White is the new Hiddy Jahan - with an arsenal of power and touch at his disposal he is rapidly becoming the finished article, and the complete player. It will be very interesting to see how he fares against Nicol tomorrow.

AUSSIE CALLS IT A DAY AT 0-2
Today saw the rematch between John Williams and Jahangir Khan, with the young Aussie giving just a six-point start this time to the WSF vice-president. Jahangir may well be spreading a lot of joy in his ambassadorial role, but I don't think it's reaching John Williams.

In front of the Pro-Active film crew, and a smug line of professional players, JK once again ran out the 3-0 victor. I wanted to ask John if he'd enjoyed the experience, but his body language didn't encourage starting up a conversation. I hope the lesson was worth the crisp new £20 note I saw Jahangir pocketing afterwards.

"If I carry on like this I could make as much prize money as the main event winner," quipped Jahangir.

There are no plans for a third match ...

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
We've all been invited to a round the pool tournament dinner this evening, and if it is anything like the last one we enjoyed here, following the World Open in '98, the new PSA and WISPA members who haven't been here before will enjoy hospitality of the highest order, in a spectacular setting.

Personally I will be making my excuses as soon as it is well-mannered to do so, since I have the first tee of the local golf course booked for 7.02am tomorrow morning. Young Gawain Briars and I are set to administer another sharp lesson to Joe Kneipp (that's one 'e' and two 'p's) and partner - as yet unknown, but likely to be of Australian extraction.

Palmer on top form

White's on the ball

Nicol eases through

Day Three - Last 16 and WISPA debut @ Doha

JK RULES AGAIN
The large crowd on the side court today were treated to a spectacle when Jahangir Khan, 10-times British Open and 6-times World Open champion accepted a challenge from the young world #23 Australian John Williams. "JK", with a little twinkle in his eye, asked the young Aussie how many points start he would give him. "Will you give me six?". With typical Aussie confidence Williams offered eight (remember this is PAR to 15).

I had to leave as the match started, but I must admit I was concerned for Jahangir, he IS a little, shall we say, rotund these days. I caught up with him an hour later and asked how the match had gone. JK's face burst into a glorious smile as he gave me the result, 3-0 to Jahangir.

A rematch is booked for tomorrow, but this time Williams is only giving the great man a start of six. "At this rate we'll be down to scratch by the time of the final," said Jahangir. I don't think betting is allowed in Qatar, but if it was I think my tenner would be on the big man, who is having a whale of a time here with the players, coaches, spectators and fans.

DOHA WELCOMES WISPA
Today saw a little bit of history made, when at 1pm the first ever WISPA match took place in Doha. Leilani Joyce, the top seed, opened proceedings against Rebecca Macree in front of an appreciative crowd who enjoyed the silky skills of the world's top women players. Leilani won 9/2 9/4 9/6 in 31 minutes and another chapter in WISPA's history was under way. A short while later the crowd were treated to a fine match between Linda Charman-Smith and Cassie Campion. How unfortunate for the number three seed Charman-Smith that she should draw the former world champion in the first round. Cassie showed that she is well on the way back to the top of the game with a 7/9 9/3 9/3 9/1 victory in 53 minutes.

HAIR TODAY GONE TOMORROW
France's rising star Thierry 'Titi' Lincou seems to specialise in long, hard matches, and today he came through another five-setter, beating Alex Gough in 93 minutes. The Frenchman's trademark hairstyle, his spikey locks pointing skywards, usually survives even the longest match, but after today's marathon there were definite signs of wilting!

CLASH OF THE YOUNG TITANS
Two of the first round giant-killers met today, with Egypt's Mohammed Abbas emerging victorious, beating young Pakistani Shaheed Zaman 15/13 10/15 17/15 15/12 in 63 minutes to book a quarter-final place. Remember the name Shadid Zaman though - this guy, who put out Paul Price, is quick, quick, quick. His uncle Qamar would be proud.

A VERY SCOTTISH TRAIT ...
While I was watching on centre court, a runner dashed across from court two where Senga Macfie was losing to Vanessa Atkinson, with a look of great concern on his face. "Mister Robert," he gushed, "this Scottish girl is frightening me. Why does she head-butt the wall and then run off court and cut off her hair?". I have to say that I didn't have an easy answer for the poor lad. I mumbled something about it being a traditional Scottish custom, which seemed to satisfy him ...

CHALONER IN LOVE?
Mark Chaloner will be disappointed to have lost today, in 102 minutes to Stewart Boswell, 15/11 16/17 15/9 15/2, but he has the consolation of the companionship of his girlfriend Caroline, who has caused a sensation among the local coaches with her on court performances. Young Chaloner looks like a man in love, and I must say that the lovely Caroline has added a great deal of attraction to the tour ...

ROUND THE CLOCK IN QATAR
I knew this tournament would be hard work to present, direct and choreograph, but the arrival of the PSA Executive Director has added an extra dimension to my working day. Starting at 6am and finishing at 11pm, I was then captured by a fresh-looking Gawain Briars for an impromptu, in-depth PSA discussion. The day thus extended to 2.30am and I am fast approaching my first ever 24-hour continuous shift! The wife will be happy though - there's no time for eating, so the weight loss continues.

Let's play squash!

JK still top man

Joyce in top form

Titi on the up & up

Love match for Mark?

Voice fatigue ...

Day Two - PSA First Round

WHAT A SHOW!
Today saw the grandest opening to a squash tournament ever, anywhere in the world. Spectators outside the Khalifa squash and tennis complex in Doha were treated to a stunning display of fireworks, lights and entertainment, along with a mass walk-on of 40 of the world's top squash players, along with the WSF Vice-President, the legendary Jahangir Khan (more on him later).

The opening was graced with the presence of his excellency Sheik Tamin Bin Hamed Al Thani, son of the Emir and president of the Qatar National Olympic committee. The welcome speech was made by Nabil Ali Bin Ali, who welcomed the players and dignitaries and confirmed his wish to make this the most spectacular squash event in the history of the game.

Certainly it WAS spectacular. Even Joe Kneipp, who is renowned for his understatement commented, "this is bloody good, mate!", which pretty well summed it up. Discussions with the 'A' team running the event confirmed that that there is a spectacular planned for each day.

I can tell you, from where I stand here in Qatar, the Qatar Squash Federation have moved this game up a few notches this week. If you don't believe me, just ask Joe Kneipp ...

THE GRAND MASTER
It was lovely to see a large crowd assembled around the number two court here earlier today. I went to see if it was David, Jonathon or Peter the crowd were watching practice. No, it was the mighty Jahangir Khan, playing two of the main squash coaches here in qatar, Amjad and Gamal.

"It will embarrass me to beat him," Gamal told me, "because he has been such a great player." Yes, Jahangir is certainly portlier than in his heyday, and I left for the hotel so as not to have to watch the great man humbled.

Later, as Jahangir joined the table where I was dining with David Palmer and Paul Price, I plucked up the courage to ask how many points he had managed to win against the coaches. His face lit up, as he beamed, "I gave them a few points each to encourage them. Tomorrow I will play them both at the same time.

Jahangir looks on as I interview David Palmer

Jahangir still rules in this game - let's play squash!

Shahid Zaman sensationally beat fourth seed Paul Price, and as the onlooking Jahangir said, "this boy is fast - he's destined to go far - and quickly!" Price only stayed long enough to collect his cheque before flying out to Melbourne.

The most exciting match of the tournament saw Thierry Lincou triumph 17/16 in the 5th against Nick Matthew - another youngster on the up, and up ...

Another upset saw Malaysia's former world junior champion Ong Beng Hee lose out in the fifth to yet another rising star, the smiling Egyptian, Mohammed Abbas.

The ladies' event started with one of the quickest matches ever. Omneya Abdel Kawy took just 9 minutes 35 seconds to win 0,0 and 0.

For more photos and news visit www.qatarclassic.com

Day One - qualifying finals

• Practice makes perfect?

If practice makes perfect then Peter Marshall is definitely on the road back to the top. I'm spending 14-16 hours a day at the venue here, and every time I pass the practice courts there's one common factor - the former world #2 is always there. His close friend and room-mate Martin Heath is not taking the same route. Heathy is preparing for a mental battle, reading, I suspect, one of his psychology books in preparation for his first round match against Anthony Ricketts.

• Doha prepares biggest and best opening ever

Having commented on, presented or directed 159 major PSA events, I can in all honesty say that the opening ceremony planned for tomorrow (3rd) is the biggest, best, most exciting one ever.

The brainchild of the President of the Qatar Squash Federation, Nabeel Ali Bin Ali, the stage is almost fully constructed and measures something like 100 feet high, 200 feet wide and 100 feet deep. It is so grand that it has had to be built into the grounds of the beautiful Khalifa Qatar squash complex.

It is hope the the Emir will attend as our most honoured guest. A ladies' group called "the Four Cats" has flown in from Lebanon to perform, and they will be joined by the top middle-east singing star Amr Diab. This, together with an introduction of all the PSA and WISPA players, will be dressed in a 'holoport' show that will describe the history of Qatar by means of the latest technology. Specialist from Germany have flown in to organise the lasers, lighting, fireworks, traditional dancing and pyrotechnics.

After the show, spectators on their way to the Centre Court for the opening match will pass the Nomad tents, where daily entertainment is laid on, including Falconry, Face-painting and Henna tattoes. The rest of the week will feature a musical fountain show, a 180-strong Army band, and, would you believe it, a ballet will precede the final!

I would add that all of my attempts to persuade the players to don their tutus have so far proved in vain, but I still have hopes for Peter Marshall - as long as I can prise him off that practice court!

My only complaint so far is that having lost a stone in weight (a direct order from my wife), I am faced here with the finest cuisine on the PSA tour. To date I have resisted temptation, but tonight we are planning a dinner with Hisham. I intend to go quietly ...

"We have been given a tremendous welcome here, and I feel as safe as I would anywhere in the world".

Peter Marshall