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.