Willstrop Comes Back From 21-19 First Game
To Win New Delhi Masters And Claim World #1 by Howard Harding
photo courtesy Steve Cubbins
18 December 2011-
The climax to an incredible end-of-year run by James Willstrop on the
international squash circuit saw the Englishman clinch his third
successive PSA World Series title today at the Punj Lloyd PSA Masters
in India in a victory which will ensure his status as world number one
in the January Dunlop PSA rankings.
The 28-year-old from Leeds, whose
title triumphs in the Hong Kong Open and Kuwait PSA Cup in November
catapulted him to second place in the world rankings this month, faced
French rival Gregory Gaultier in the climax of the ninth and final PSA
World Series event of the year at the Siri Fort Complex in the Indian
capital New Delhi.
Willstrop went into the match with
14 successive Tour match wins under his belt since November - but was
lining up against the last player who beat him, in the World Open
semi-finals in Rotterdam.
And the opening game was a classic.
The battle lasted almost an hour, with rarely more than a point
separating the pair until the Frenchman emerged the winner 21-19 after
one of the highest-scoring games in the history of the 'PAR to 11'
scoring system.
But Willstrop fought back in the
second game to draw level and was in control in the third as it became
clear that all was not well with his opponent.
After treatment in the break, world
No3 Gaultier returned to the court - but was clearly suffering from
cramp. After a few points, the Frenchman conceded the match to give
Willstrop the title, and much more!
"Winning the PSA Masters is a
massive big deal," said the new champion at the trophy presentations
after his historic 19-21, 11-8, 11-4, 4-1 (ret.) triumph in 99 minutes.
"We've been proud to play this event
for three years now - we've been extremely well looked after. It's been
a very enjoyable event to play in - so thanks to everybody involved,
especially Punj Lloyd."
It was in India that Willstrop won
his first major title - the World Junior Championship - in 2002, and at
the same venue in New Delhi eight years later that he contested the
Commonwealth Games final. But it required victory in today's final for
Willstrop to overtake the ranking points average of fellow Yorkshireman
Nick Matthew, thereby succeeding his England team-mate at the top of
the first world rankings of the New Year.
"There are so many people back home
to give thanks to - but I think might avoid doing that as I'll just
forget some very important people," continued the new PSA Masters
champion, now winner of 15 career PSA World Tour titles.
"It's a very special day for me. I
can't really believe I've played and won this match - and I'd like to
thank Greg for the great spirit in which it was played.
"It's special to have achieved this
here with so many close people here, including my girl-friend Vanessa
(Atkinson), a fantastic and loyal friend; my Dad, Malcolm, who's given
me an incredible amount of attention since the start; and my brother
David, the endless sessions and work we've put in together; and Mick
(Todd).
"To have had them here has made such
a difference. If I'd done it here alone on this day - and Greg talked
about not having his team with him here, but I've been lucky as we
planned this - it's just the most special thing: they've given me so
much!
"The day is so special - it wouldn't mean half as much if I hadn't had these people behind me.
"I'm very proud I've done it here in
India - I've had some really nice times here - and won the world junior
title here as well."
The success also means that
Willstrop heads the 2011 Dunlop PSA World Series Standings, and that
the line-up for January's ATCO PSA World Series Finals - which features
the top eight players in the list - is now finalised.
RESULTS: PSA World Series Punj Lloyd PSA Masters, New Delhi, India