Friday 14th, FINALS: Thierry Lincou (Fra)
bt Joe Kneipp (Aus)
10/11 (0-2), 11/9, 11/2, 11/1 (58m)
Lincou Lifts his first
"Big One"
Tom
Maidment reports on the final
France's Thierry Lincou, the No.1 Seed, tonight won his first Brit
Insurance Super Series Finals title at London's Broadgate Arena after his
opponent, Australia's Joe Kneipp, broke all three of his rackets before
the end of the second game, forcing him to play out the remainder of the
match with two rackets borrowed from spectators.
Kneipp, who was making his debut at the Finals, broke his first string in
the opening game - which he won 2-0 in a tiebreak - and two more in the
second game, exhausting his own supply.
"I came with three rackets for the match and thought that would be
enough," said Kneipp who, at world No.12, was lowest ranked player in the
tournament. "Once I started having to use different rackets my confidence
just went. I was beginning to tire physically in the third game anyway and
a combination of that, the rackets and Thierry playing so well spelt the
end for me."
Kneipp broke his final string on game point of the second, which Lincou
took 11-9, and from then on the Frenchman took complete control, winning
the next two games 11-2, 11-1 with a near faultless display.
Lincou was thrilled to win his first major tournament after finishing
runner-up here in 2002 and taking third place last year. He said: "I feel
sorry for Joe. Even though it was a tough match he didn't deserve to
finish like that. He was getting angry with all his rackets breaking, but
that wasn't my fault!
"I'm really, really happy. It means a lot to me having lost so many
finals. This is my first win in a big tournament and to do it in front of
my parents and my coach is the best feeling. Having come so close in 2002
and finishing third last year, this tournament really means something to
me and I'm delighted to win it today."
After exhausting his supply of Klip rackets and then borrowing a Prince
and a Dunlop, a disappointed Kneipp joked: "I guess I'll be seeking
payment from three different racket sponsors!"
Ian McKenzie
watches the final
The Frenchman Thierry Lincou scored his first big win at Broadgate and did
so stylishly in the end winning 10-11 (0-2), 11-9, 11-2, 11-1 against the
Australian Joe Kneipp.
Lincou played well but lost the first despite leading throughout. At 9-8
in the first Kneipp slowed the pace and prolonged a rally but tinned to
give Lincou the advantage ‘10-8 game ball.’ Three errors, the first on an
unlucky bounce, the second tinned on an opening and a forced miss hit
swung the game Kneipp’s way and he finished with a slammed volley nick and
a clenched fist to enthusiastic applause.
“I was consistent but he was aggressive and attacked before me. He likes
playing with the angles and breaks the pace. He didn’t let me play as I
wanted,” said Lincou afterwards.
Lincou was onto his game in the second, the fiery ball had settled
allowing him more control and touch. With more time on the ball he held
and caught Kneipp, who was accelerating early to his shots, with little
deceptive changes of direction. Aided by tins from his opponent he
established an 8-2 lead. Kneipp was not finished however. And surged back
with winners to close to 7-9 and seriously threaten before Lincou held his
shot for a drive and then caressed the ball with the most delicate of
drops to again claim game ball 10-7. Kneipp’s response was to slam the
serve audaciously in the nick then force a miss hit. 9-10. The crucial
point on which the match turned followed. Kneipp's strings went.
“I had to keep the rally going. I floated it, tried to keep it tight and
hoped we would be able to play a let,” said Kneipp. “The longer you play
with broken strings the slacker they get and the less control they have. I
played a tight one, he pulled the ball out loose and I had to take a
chance. It clipped the tin.”
That was the second game. Kneipp tried a variety of rackets after that, a
borrowed Prince and an old Dunlop, but did not adjust to the feel – and he
was tiring. Kneipp is a confidence player it was now sagging as Lincou’s
was rising. Lincou was now thoroughly into his game, professional, and
clinically effective. Kneipp was error prone losing the third 11-2 and the
fourth even more convincingly 11-1.
It was a stylish performance from Lincou. He was world no.1 in January.
That was a lot to live up to but now he has an important title, and
justifiably so.
“It means a lot for me, I have lost so many finals and it is great to have
my first big win and do it if front of my parents and my coach. It is a
great feeling.”
Broadgate has become a special stop on the on PSA tour and now has full
houses of enthusiastic fans from the beginning of the week.
This was the PSA pilot for the new scoring system. It is too early to give
a definite judgement but the final was 58 minutes and the last two games
would not have been improved by extending them to 15.
Everyone was pleased. Neil Eckert Chief Executive Officer of Brit
Insurance, the promoters said: “It was a wonderful topsy turvy week of
brilliant squash.”
It was Lincou’s week. |
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