• Final, Sun 15th Sep

[3] David Palmer (Aus) bt [5] Stewart Boswell (Aus)  15/13, 15/10, 15/11  (61m)

G'day for Aussies in Symphony Hall
Colleen Turner reports

It was a g'day for the Aussies at Boston Symphony Hall ... to put it simply, they took it all ... finals, title, "Lightning Round," and even the entertainment award! 

Read on for all the exciting details ...

From the start, David Palmer set the pace of today's U.S. Open Squash finals at Boston's historic Symphony Hall. 

He explained, "It was a battle of length, really.  Stewart is very good and often challenges me on just that point, but I was able to maintain the pace I wanted and I'm thrilled to call the U.S. Open title mine."

It was nine all in the first game when Palmer went on a run to finish 15-13. Boswell began game two with the lead, but a couple of poorly timed tins and misplayed shots let Palmer, despite a tough spill on the ninth point, take the game again. 

Up two games to love entering the third and final game of the match, Palmer came out with a "take no prisoners" attitude.  Whether he was running Boswell about the court or making him dig deep into the back corners, Palmer's play was consistent, calm and precise - the perfect ingredients for a U.S. Open title.

Ricketts' Lightning Strike
The afternoon's competition started off with a "Lightning Round" exhibition featuring a play down of eliminated players from the U.S. Open, as well as special guest, Brett Martin, Australia's favourite retired squash champion. Eight players vied for $1000 cash in three rounds of unique squash action. Quarterfinals play went to three points, semis to two and the final round to one. 

The "Lighting Round" action started like a slow storm brewing, with Anthony Ricketts and Simon Parke taking it to the full five. Ultimately, Ricketts took the round, 3-2.  Talk about lightning fast, Renan LaVigne made quick work of Olli Tuominen, taking the game in three to Olli's one, bringing down the curtain down on the young Fin's exceptional debut at Symphony Hall.  Boston's own Mark Lewis started strong against Nick Taylor, but couldn't hold off the indomitable Englishman, going down 3-1. In the fourth game of the quarterfinals, Stefan Casteleyn won 3-2, but retired Aussie, Brett Martin proved that like wine and cheese, squash players, too, age well, taking the match to a full five.

Before the semi and final action started, the 1000+ crowd was entertained with a vibrant performance from Australia's top-20 ranking player, Paul Price (who had to withdraw from the U.S. Open due to an ankle injury). The handsome Price, who easily could be a rock star, took to the stage with an acoustic rendition of  "Can't Hide," a moving ballad that he wrote.

In the semifinals, Ricketts easily took LaVigne 2-1 and Taylor squashed Casteleyn 2-1 as well, setting up the single point final between Ricketts and Taylor.  Not surprisingly, Ricketts rounded out the all-Aussies-all-the-time mantra, winning the point and $1000 in an aggressive volley with Taylor.

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• Semi-Finals, Sat 14th Sep

[3] David Palmer (Aus) bt [1] Peter Nicol (Eng)  15/14, 15/14, 8/15, 17/15
[5] Stewart Boswell (Aus) [4] Thierry Lincou (Fra)  15/9, 15/13, 15/6

Main Draw

Virtuoso Performance by Palmer
Colleen Turner reports

Last night we lost the North American favourite and second seed, tonight we lost the top seed and defending champion.

David Palmer beat Peter Nicol in a thrilling 92 minute semi-final, hotly-contested all the way, with Palmer winning three tie-breaks, two of them called 'set one' by the Australian.

It seemed odd to see the usually calm Peter Nicol pacing backstage at Symphony Hall - perhaps he, too, sensed his place as a U.S. Open finalist might be in jeopardy. 

It was a well-matched and solidly played series, with interesting twists and turns occurring throughout the exciting four-game match.  In game one, Palmer worked his way to a 4-0 lead, but back-to-back gaffes let Nicol worm his way in.  A cross-court drop shot to win a pivotal point narrowed Palmer's lead to three, but it came down to game point, Palmer called for 'set one' and an unlikely error by Nicol cost him the game. 

In game two, Nicol started off strong, taking and maintaining the lead through 13 points, but a tenacious Palmer kept up the pressure and fought back to get ahead once more, called 'set one' once more, and extended his lead.. 

Down two games to love, Nicol came out swinging in the third, taking a 10-3 lead nine minutes into the game. Though Palmer exhibited his aggressive reach and laser shot-making skills, Nicol ultimately earned his one and only win of the night.

In game four, spectators started getting into the game, cheering out "C'mon Peter" at key moments.  Nicol rallied to the call, taking a 10-4 lead, but even when an awkward spill by Palmer late in the game as he reached for a shot off the back wall looked like Nicol's opening, Palmer recovered to bring the game back to 14-all This time the call from Nicol was 'set three', but the result was the same, the game going to the full 17, as well as to a deserving David Palmer.
 

Boswell takes
Symphony Hall by Storm
The feisty Frenchman, Thierry Lincou, had no problem questioning the judges, but when push came to shove, his play was just plain flat. Quite simply, Boswell outplayed Lincou. The first game scoring went like a hot knife through butter and though Lincou showed glimpses of strength in the game - up 13-12 at one point - a couple of quick tins and he was out after 55 minutes.

Truly hitting his stride in the third and final game, Boswell made quick work of Lincou. With Boswell sending many shots deep into the corners, Lincou just didn't posses the speed or reach to get them. 

Commenting on his victory, Boswell explained, "I'm particularly happy about this win.  I've lost to Thierry the last couple of times, so I'm pretty pleased to take this one.

The final will be the first to feature an Australian since 1996, and the first all-Australian final since 1991. Boswell's only victory against Palmer came in their last meeting, in the PSA Masters in April.

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• Quarter-Finals, Fri 13th Sep

[1] Peter Nicol (Eng) bt  Anthony Ricketts (Aus)  15/12, 17/16, 15/13
[3] David Palmer (Aus) bt [7] Mark Chaloner (Eng)  15/12, 17/15, 15/12
[4] Thierry Lincou (Fra) bt [Q] Olli Tuominen (Fin)  15/9, 15/7, 15/5
[5] Stewart Boswell (Aus) bt [2] Jonathon Power (Can)  9/15, 15/12, 15/9, 15/11 

Main Draw

BOSWELL PULLS THE PLUG ON POWER
Colleen Turner reports

Nattily outfitted in several items from his signature clothing line, Jonathon Power appeared confident through game one, often sending Stewart Boswell scrambling about the court.  But it was a pivotal shot into the tin by Power that let Boswell take the lead and second game, foreshadowing the outcome of the 74-minute match. 

Boswell kept the pressure on through the next two games, further frustrating a dimming Power who couldn't catch a let if it was hand delivered.  In the end, it was a stunning volley for match point that had Jonathon literally falling over himself for the ball, but said point and match went to a very pleased Boswell.

Boswell, commenting on the upset, observed "It was the best I've ever played - I'm very happy."  This in spite of Thursday's midnight tussle with Mohammed Abbas that advanced him to the quarterfinals. It was Boswell's first win over Power in six attempts , and Power's earliest exit from a tournament this year.

NICOL SQUEEZES PAST RICKETTS
Peter Nicol definitely had to work for his win, but he was methodical and relentless in this pursuit.  He trailed Ricketts several times in the second game which easily could have gone either way, but Nicol showed his typical resiliency and bounced back to victory.

The third and final game had the score teetering back and forth with neither player gaining more than three points on the other.  Overall, it was a clean match, drawing a mere 17 decisions from the referee (versus the 66 from the Power/Boswell game).  The rallies were long and exceptional, wearing both men down, but the win went to Peter on a call from the referee after 60 minutes.

Commenting on his victory, the defending champion said, "Anthony is a worthy opponent, but I'm very pleased to win and move into the semis."

PALMER CLEANS UP CHALONER
In a clean match where two gentle men (and yes, I meant that as two words) played a lot of balls that others would challenge, it was clear from the start that David Palmer was in complete control in the 65-minute match. 

Between his timing and balance, coupled with an uncanny ability to take the ball early, Palmer played a virtually mistake-free match.  By Palmer's own admission, he almost "gave it away" at several times, but when the soft-spoken Chaloner showed his aggressive side near the end of the third game, he, sadly, came up with nothing but tin.

TITI TAMES TUOMINEN
Ah, the impatience of youth.  France's Thierry Lincou, made quick work of Ollie Tuominen in three games.  When one considers the final match of today's quarterfinals lasted but 32 minutes, it's fairly obvious Ollie was rushing his game, and was feeling the effects of previous tough matches.

The young, affable Tuominen had a good run in this year's U.S. Open, but the maturity and patience of Lincou's counter attacks throughout the match were exemplary and led to his slot in tomorrow's semifinal competition. The French favourite will be fresher than Boswell going into the match, so this clash between the world's number four and five should be a thriller. 

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• First Round, Thu 12th Sep

[1] Peter Nicol (Eng) bt  Lee Beachill (Eng)  10/15, 17/15, 15/10, 15/6
Anthony Ricketts (Aus) bt [6] John White (Sco) 17/16, 15/11, 7/15, 10/15, 15/10
[3] David Palmer (Aus) bt [Q] Simon Parke (Eng)  15/9, 15/6, 15/13
[7] Mark Chaloner (Eng) bt [Q] Nick Taylor (Eng)  15/8, 7/15, 17/16, 15/8
[Q] Olli Tuominen (Fin) bt [8] Martin Heath (Sco)   8/15, 15/9, 15/10, 15/3
[4] Thierry Lincou (Fra) bt Alex Gough (Wal)   8/15, 15/2, 15/7, 9/1  rtd
[5] Stewart Boswell (Aus) bt [Q] Mohammed Abbas (Egy) 15/7, 11/15, 15/11, 15/5
[2] Jonathon Power (Can) v Chris Walker (Eng)  15/9, 15/7, 15/5

Main Draw

BIG GUNS ON SONG IN SYMPHONY HALL
Colleen Turner reports
Noting that the glass walled court presented a dead ball, Peter Nicol was very happy with his overall performance against a player who has created some notable upsets against the world champion.  "There was absolutely no in between, but once the court conditions were factored in, play was fairly consistent," said the top seed. Beachill had a chance to make his move, when Nicol started off the first game a little slowly.  By the end of the 79-minute match though, Beachill's pace had slowed dramatically and Nicol exhibited his usual champion form.

It was never a question of fitness when Jonathon Power and Chris Walker took to the floor of Boston's Symphony Hall - Power simply out shot Walker with his usual magic.  The entire match lasted just over 30 minutes, with Walker almost resigned to defeat in face of Power's impressive play.

It pays to be 24-years of age.  Ollie Tuominen took down 11th seeded Martin Heath in four hotly contested games - this after the Finn had survived a hearty 5-game outing with Graham Ryding the evening before.  The 2nd and 3rd games were particularly strongly contested, with neither really in control, but ultimately Ollie was definitely the stronger and his perseverence told.

Taylor and Chaloner could have easily gone to five when Taylor was up 13-10 in the third game, but Chaloner came back to win in a tiebreaker.  Chaloner played strong and quiet, while Taylor presented a more scrappy game - but by the fourth, Taylor just had no gas left to finish the job.

David Palmer played a solid match with Simon Parke, but the former US Open champ eventually succumbed to exhaustion.  Parke looked great in last night's qualifying finals, but Palmer was relentless in all games, often making him work twice as hard.  End result:  a comfortable win for Australia's Palmer.

Alex Gough came out strong in the first, but an injured hamstring slowed down the competitive Welshman's performance.  Alex quipped, "If I could have moved, I would have won."  Ultimately, it was Thierry's strong and solid performance, combined with consistent play that took its toll on Gough.

It was a 99-minute battle between 10th ranked Anthony Ricketts and 5th ranked John White, but in the evening's only upset, Ricketts emerged the victor. 

Egypt's 28th ranked Mohammed Abbas showed some serious spunk against number four seed Stewart Boswell.  Boswell and Abbas both hit a lot of tin and made shot errors that were more likely indicative of the quickly approaching midnight hour than one or the other's performance.  In the end, it was Boswell who finished off Abbas in a quick fourth and final game for the match.

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• Qualifying Finals, Wed 11th Sep

Olli Tuominen (Fin) bt Graham Ryding (Can) 11-15; 15-6; 15-5; 11-15; 15-7
Mohammed Abbas (Egy) bt Renan LaVigne (Fra) 15-6; 15-6; 15-13
Simon Parke (Eng) bt Stefan Casteleyn (Bel)  15-6; 15-5; 12-15; 15-5
Nick Taylor (Eng) bt Del Harris (Eng)  15- 9; 15-7; 15-5

Main Draw

On to Symphony Hall ...
Colleen Turner reports

Ollie Touminen and Graham Ryding were well matched, with the referee called upon 50 times during this 1 hour 21 minute match. Ultimately it was Tuominen's quickness that was the deciding factor. Ryding looked to have weathered the storm in the fourth, but came up short due to a plethora of nicks from the Finn in the fifth. Tuominen now faces Scotland's Martin Heath.

Mohammed Abbas took the ball early with solid volleys that kept Renan Lavigne deep in the back court. This, coupled with Mohammed's ability to consistently keep the ball short pretty much set the tone early on. Lavigne rallied in the third game, pushing his lead to 13-9, but Abbas clawed his way back to secure victory and a meeting with Stewart Boswell in tomorrow's main draw.

Stefan Casteleyn gave Simon Parke a run for his money, but the recently married 1999 US Open champion showed a lot of his former style and guile. Parke was pressing through all four games, regularly forcing Stefan into errors. Although Casteleyn was starting to get hot in the third game, Simon handily re-asserted his dominance in the fourth to claim a match against David Palmer in the main draw.

In the evening's main upset, Nick Taylor quickly took out Del Harris to advance to the main draw.  Overall, Taylor was quicker in the back court while Del kept catching a lot of tin.  Add to that a need to constantly scramble for Taylor's shots and Del finished out the match tired and frustrated. Taylor now meets fellow Englishman Mark Chaloner.

Main Draw

• Qualifying Round One, Tue 10th Sep

Olli Tuominen (Fin) bt Dan Jenson (Aus)  15-6; 15-12; 15-4
Graham Ryding (Can) bt Beau River (Usa)   15-3; 15-2; 15-7

Mohammad Abbas (Egy) bt Mark Lewis (Usa)   15-4; 15-6; 15-9
Renan Lavigne (Fra) bt Preston Quick (Usa)   15-12; 17-16; 15-11

Stefan Casteleyn (Bel) bt Imran Khan (Pak)   15-2; 15-2; 15-10
Simon Parke (Eng) bt David McNeely (Usa)   15-7; 15-7; 15-7

Nick Taylor (Eng) bt Shahier Razik (Can)   15-3; 17-14; 15-5
Del Harris (Eng) v Lucky Odeh (Nig)   15-1; 15-7; 15-8

"The English are Coming"
England's own Del Harris, Nick Taylor and Simon Parke Advance in Qualifying Rounds - Colleen Turner reports

Ollie Tuominen squeaked by Dan Jenson in a 44-minute match that was much closer than the score would indicate; Graham Ryding trounced Beau River in little over a half hour - River ran and hit the ball hard, but was really never in the match; Mohammed Abbas made quick work of Mark Lewis in just over 23 minutes; Renan LaVigne was not handed his win over Preston Quick - Quick had a chance of taking the match and looked very strong, but LaVigne persevered; Stefan Casteleyn clobbered Imran Khan - Khan showed moments of brilliance, but Casteleyn was just too strong for the perennial favourite; and Del Harris made mincemeat of Lucky Odeh in just 20 minutes!

It was "lucky sevens" for the 1999 US Open champion Simon Parke when he easily bested USA's David McNeely in just over one half hour.  Both share the same coach, but it was obvious Parke's keen strategic thinking and seasoned play were the clear winner.

Nick Taylor and Shahier Razik provided the evening's most compelling match, playing aggressively for one full hour.  But no one need fear the 30-year-old Taylor has "blown his wad," this high energy player still has plenty of play left and is looking forward to tomorrow's match with fellow Englander, Del Harris.

Today's Qualifying Match play took place at Harvard University's Murr Center.  Final Qualifying Rounds for the four Main Draw slots begins Wednesday, September 11 @ 6:00 p.m. in the Murr Center.