Hong Kong, Pakistan & England Shine In Regional Championships
by Howard Harding
7 May 2013 - Annie Au made history in Pakistan at the weekend when she became the first Hong Kong Chinese player to win the women's FMC Asian Squash Championship title, after upsetting Malaysian favourite Low Wee Wern in the final at the Mushaf Ali Mir Squash Complex in Islamabad.
Runner-up in the last championship in 2011, the 24-year-old world No13 beat Low, ranked six places higher, 5-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-1.
The men's championship provided the first Pakistan winner for 15 years when Aamir Atlas Khan beat third-seeded Kuwaiti Abdullah Al Muzayen 11-9, 11-3, 11-8 - ending Malaysian dominance of the men's event since 1998.
The 40th European Team Championships took place in the Netherlands city of Amsterdam, where England maintained their grip on both the men's and women's titles despite stiff opposition.
Former world No2 Jenny Duncalf earned her 100th England cap in sensational style on semi-finals day by clinching victory in the deciding match against third seeds France.
The 30-year-old from Yorkshire was then called upon to repeat her heroics 24 hours later in the final decider against second seeds Ireland - Duncalf beating Laura Mylotte 11-4, 11-5, 11-2 to give favourites England their third title in a row, and the 35th since the women's championships began in 1978.
In their 13th successive final again France, the England men found themselves 2/0 down for the first time after powerful French wins by world No3 Gregory Gaultier and the now retired former world champion Thierry Lincou.
But Essex duo Daryl Selby and Peter Barker - ranked 13 & 7, respectively, in the world - steadied the England ship with straight games wins over Lucas Serme and Gregoire Marche to give the defending champions an 8-6 win on games countback - and England's narrowest victory since 2002.
RESULTS: FMC Asian Championships, Islamabad, Pakistan
Men's final:
[6] Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) bt [3] Abdullah Al Muzayen (KUW) 11-9, 11-3, 11-8
Women's final:
[2] Annie Au (HKG) bt [1] Low Wee Wern (MAS) 5-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-1
European Team Championships, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Men's final:
[1] ENGLAND bt [2] FRANCE 2/2 (England win 8-6 on games countback)
James Willstrop lost to Thierry Lincou 11-4, 12-10, 5-11, 9-11, 5-11 (67m)
Nick Matthew lost to Gregory Gaultier 11-13, 6-11, 12-14 (82m)
Daryl Selby bt Lucas Serme 11-6, 11-4, 11-9 (48m)
Peter Barker bt Gregoire Marche 11-5, 11-8, 11-9 (53m)
Women's final:
[1] ENGLAND bt [2] IRELAND 2/1
Laura Massaro bt Madeline Perry 11-7, 11-5, 11-2 (29m)
Alison Waters lost to Aisling Blake 5-11, 9-11, 6-11 (28m)
Jenny Duncalf bt Laura Mylotte 11-4, 11-5, 11-2 (23m)
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