The November News Review from Prince

This news digest is drawn from the News Pages of SquashNow, the leading internet squash information website, sponsored by Prince. The full versions of each story can be found by linking direct to:
www.squashnow.com

Nicol David Wins British With New Prince Racket

Less than two weeks after signing with Prince Sports - and switching to the brand's revolutionary O3 Tour racquet – Malaysian star Nicol David won the British Open, the most prized trophy in world squash!
Since enjoying a sensational career as a junior, in which she became the first player in history to win the world junior crown twice, the 22-year-old from Penang has made rapid progress on the WISPA World Tour. After winning the World Games title in July, David went on to become the first home winner of the Malaysian Open title in the same month.
At the National Squash Centre in Manchester the world No3 stormed through the high quality field, beating Australia's world No1 Rachael Grinham in the semi-finals, then her fifth-ranked younger sister Natalie Grinham in straight games in the final to become the first Malaysian to win a British Open title, and the first Asian to win the women's crown.
"Since I was young, it was always my aim to win the British Open – it's the most prestigious tournament of them all because of its long history since 1922," said the new champion, winner of six major titles already in 2005.
"And the new racquet really made a difference," added David of her gleaming O3 Tour. "It has a nice flow and moves through the air noticeably faster."
Nicol David follows her English name-sake Peter Nicol with major success using the O3 Tour. When Peter Nicol joined Nicol David on the winners' podium after claiming the men's World Games title in Germany, he was celebrating his 50th major international success – and followed it by winning the English Open back on home soil, in both cases without dropping a single game throughout the tournaments!
"Nicol David is one of the brightest stars in world squash and widely tipped to be the next women's world number one," said Prince International Player Promotions Manager Andy Bunting. "She will be a wonderful ambassador for the brand around the world, particularly in Asia where she is already a household name and one of Malaysia's most successful sports stars of all time.

"The O3 Tour was launched at the British Open and the interest it generated – undoubtedly boosted by Peter and Nicol's incredible performances in the event – was overwhelming," added Bunting. "We sold a good deal more racquets off the stand than we would normally expect to at such an occasion."
The unprecedented squash interest in the O3 Tour is mirroring exactly the same pattern achieved when the series was launched early this year in tennis. After switching to the O3 Tour, Argentina's tennis star Guillermo Coria reached the finals of the ATP Masters Series events in Monte Carlo and Rome, and the International Series event in Beijing.
Later, Russian tennis star Nikolay Davydenko won his first ATP title of the year within weeks of first playing with the revolutionary new O3 Tour, then signed a long-term agreement with Prince. After making his top 30 debut only last year, Davydenko added to his victory in the St. Poelten event in Austria by making his semi-final debut at the French Open – ultimately leaping to a career-high ATP ranking of six.
Prince's new O3 breakthrough is the first significant development in racquet technology since the late eighties when racquets changed from wood to graphite. The O3 -engineered racquets provide a large sweet spot in a manoeuvrable and aerodynamic frame. Prince re-engineered traditional pin-sized string holes into giant O-Ports, providing total string freedom for a livelier response across the entire string bed. This expands the conventional sweet spot in racquets by up to 54%, turning it into a Sweet Zone!

Congrats From Prime Minister
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has sent a letter of congratulation to Nicol David for winning the prestigious British Open squash title on Monday.
The Prime Minister's office called Nicol's father Desmond David to convey Abdullah's message and later faxed the letter signed by Abdullah to him.
According to an aide to the Prime Minister, Abdullah was very pleased and proud of Nicol's achievement in Manchester.
The aide said that in the letter, the Prime Minister expressed his appreciation and hoped Nicol would become a role model and share her rich experiences with the younger generation.
The Prime Minister also stated that "Saya amat tertarik dan berbangga dengan kejayaan Nicol (I'm thrilled and proud of your achievement, Nicol)."
Grinham in straight sets 9-6, 9-7, 9-6 to become the first Malaysian and Asian to win the British Open title.
Nicol had also beaten world number one Rachael Grinham, who is Natalie's sister, in the semi-final.

Tunku Imran For IOC ?
HRH Prince Tunku Imran, patron of the World Squash Federation (WSF), has been selected by the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for election as a member of the IOC.
The Malaysian, who was President of the WSF from 1989 to 1996, is one of five candidates proposed for election to the 118th IOC Session in Turin in February 2006, which will be the start of their eight-year term of office.
On completion of his maximum term as President of the WSF, Tunku Imran was unanimously elected to be Emeritus President, a role specially created for him as an honour for the great leadership he had provided for the sport.
He is President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia and a Vice-President of the Commonwealth Games Federation. He is also a Board Member of the National Sports Council of Malaysia, President of the Malaysian Cricket Association and Chairman of the Foundation for Malaysian Sporting Excellence. He was Malaysia’s first National Squash Champion in 1973 and Chef de Mission to the Malaysian Team at the Seoul Olympics in 1988.
"The WSF is very proud to have Tunku Imran, along time friend of Squash, as its Patron," said the Federation's Chief Executive Christian Leighton. "This nomination is recognition of Tunku Imran's contribution to the development of sport worldwide and of the Olympic Movement in Malaysia."
World Open Sponsors Announced In Hong Kong
Hong Kong Squash has announced the title sponsorships by Cathay Pacific Airways Limited and Credit Suisse Privilege Limited of the 2005 World Open Squash Championships, the leading event in the calendar of first-class men and women professionals.

The Cathay Pacific Credit Suisse Privilege World Squash Open 2005 is the FIRST-EVER to combine the Women’s World Open and the Men’s World Open championships into a single event. Organised by Hong Kong Squash, it will be held from 27th November to 4th December 2005 at the Hong Kong Squash Centre, with the semi-finals and finals to be held at the Cultural Centre Piazza, where Victoria Harbour will provide a spectacular backdrop against the clear-view Perspex court.
Sanctioned by the World Squash Federation (WSF), the Women’s International Squash Players Association (WISPA) and the Professional Squash Association (PSA), this World Open will be highly popular with both local and international squash supporters. It is also expected to receive top billing in the World Squash, International and Asian sports calendars, which help enhance Hong Kong’s image as Asia’s sports events capital. The significance of this international event is also recognised by the HKSAR Government, which has designated it as an “M” mark event (Major Sports Events).
The annual World Open Championships for women and men are the sport's most prestigious events. Competitors will vie for HK$1.6 million in prize money and Hong Kong Squash is confident that, barring injuries or illnesses, all players ranked within the world's Top 30 will take part in this special edition. The simultaneous staging of BOTH World Championships is expected to attract a large contingent of players, coaches, families, friends and international media to Hong Kong, from countries within and beyond the Asia Pacific region.
David Mui, Chairman of Hong Kong Squash, said: "Special thanks to Cathay Pacific Airways and Credit Suisse Privilege who have enthusiastically worked together with us over many years, their support has contributed greatly to our success. I would also like to thank our co-sponsors: Crocodile, Fujifilm, Prince, Perrier, TVB, Commercial Radio and Renaissance Harbour View Hotel.
"We are confident that we will attract all the world top players, including our own Rebecca Chiu and Wong Wai Hang, who both will, I am sure, have the full support of the home crowd," added Mui.
Charlie Stewart-Cox, General Manager, Marketing, of Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. said: "Cathay Pacific has been sponsoring the Squash Open for the past 19 years. This year we are very glad to be co-sponsoring with Credit Suisse Privilege to bring the first and ever World Squash Open to Hong Kong. As the home carrier of Hong Kong, we are very keen to bring in world-class sports events for both local spectators and as an attraction for overseas visitors."
Upgrade For Canary Wharf
The world's leading squash stars are returning to London's Docklands to show off their dazzling skills in the 2006 ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic.
The third year of this event takes place from February 13-17, 2006, with action on the glass court inside the East Wintergarden atrium at Canary Wharf.
This season’s competition is being upgraded to a Five-Star ranking tournament on the PSA world circuit.
Co-promoter Peter Nicol, who reached the semi-finals of the British Open in Manchester at the weekend, is delighted that the event has achieved world ranking status.

He said: "This was always our intention from the start and it simply adds extra spice and competitiveness to what has always been a keenly fought tournament.
"We have to thank our title sponsors, ISS Facility Services, for making it possible to elevate the status of the tournament and we aim to repay them with an event of outstanding quality.
"Top-class squash is a spectacular sport to watch as it places brutal physical demands on the players, coupled with superb shot-making and extremely athletic retrieving from some of the fittest and most dedicated athletes on the planet.
"The tournament is slightly earlier this season because of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in March, so all of the top players who will be competing in Australia will be determined to hit top form before heading off Down Under."
England’s surprise British Open finalist James Willstrop, the winner of the inaugural Canary Wharf Classic two years ago, and John White, the 2005 ISS champion, will be among the star-studded line-up in February.
Australia’s British Open champion Anthony Ricketts, who lost in this year’s Canary Wharf final to White, will be anxious to go one better in February.
The ISS Canary Wharf Classic Host Sponsors once again are Canary Wharf Group plc. Katy Doggett, from Canary Wharf Group's Arts and Events Department, said: "The ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic is one of the highlights of the Arts and Events calendar and we are delighted to welcome the tournament to the East Wintergarden for a third year.
"Squash and business go hand in hand and we know there is an army of squash enthusiasts at Canary Wharf. The tournament format is extremely popular, with hundreds of Canary Wharf workers able to leave their desks after work and enjoy an evening of world-class squash just a minute or two from their offices."
Corporate hospitality packages are available with spectators able to wine, dine and watch the action from the best vantage point in any squash arena, the gallery restaurant at the East Wintergarden.
Associate Sponsors include Brit Insurance, and a limited number of similar packages are also available for companies wishing to ally their products with such a spectacular and healthy sport.
Hilton Hotels continue as the Official Hotel Sponsor with the players looking forward to returning to the stylish Hilton Docklands at Rotherhithe, just a short ferry ride across the River Thames from Canary Wharf.
PNG Double In Oceania Games
Papua New Guinea took a double triumph in the Oceania Squash Championships in Rarotonga in the Cook Islands when top seeds Derek Hunter and Naluge Guy struck gold in the individual events.
Australian-born Hunter sailed through to the men's final without dropping a game, beating Samoa's fourth seed Nia Tupuivao 9-1 9-1 9-1 in the semi-finals.
His opponent in the final pulled off two upsets to reach the climax. After a 9-6 9-2 9-1 rout over second-seeded compatriot Gye Duncan in the quarters, New Caledonia's seventh seed Laurent Guepy battled to a 2-9 9-3 7-9 9-7 9-5 upset over Papua New Guinea's No3 seed Damien Tam in the semi-finals. Hunter was too strong for the Guepy in the final, however, winning 10-8 9-6 9-6.
The women's final saw the top two seeds fighting for the title. But after losing the first game, Naluge Guy came back to topple the hosts' second seed Tepua Russell 8-10 9-2 9-0 9-6.
Big Brother Hisham Takes Athens Final
By beating brother Ramy Ashour in the final of the Cadillac Athens Open Squash Championship in the Greek capital, Egypt's Hisham Mohd Ashour has now caught up with his younger sibling by claiming his first PSA Tour title.
Ramy, the 18-year-old world junior champion from Cairo, secured his maiden PSA crown when he won the first Athens Open twelve months ago. Seeded five, the teenager again reached the final of the 2005 event, but top seed Hisham was ready to impose his senior family status.
Fighting back from a game down, 23-year-old Hisham took 37 minutes to earn his 7-11 11-2 11-10 11-7 victory and his place amongst the list of PSA Tour champions.
The Athens climax marked the first PSA Tour final between two brothers since Australians Rodney Martin and Brett Martin faced each other in the Hong Kong Open final in 1993.
Miller Overturns Pan Am Champ
Canada's Alana Miller denied Mexico double gold in the Panamerican Squash Championships when she upset defending champion Samantha Teran in the women's final in the El Salvador capital San Salvador.
Miller, from of Winnipeg, bounced back from a two games down to win 3-9 0-9 9-7 9-0 9-5 to record her first ever win over the 24-year-old world No31 from Mexico City, champion in 2002 and 2004.
"The Pan Am title is prestigious in squash and to beat Samantha for the first time in my career is extra special because she's won this tournament so many times," said Miller, the Canadian champion in 2004 and the No2 seed in El Salvador.
"In the first two games I couldn't find my rhythm and she pinned me to the back of the court. But I started to slow the pace down. I hit more lobs to the back and that opened the middle of the court and I was able to take control," said the 25-year-old, ranked six places lower than her opponent.
There was Mexican joy in the men's event when top seed Eric Galvez, runner-up in the past two events, beat compatriot Jose Angel Becerril 9-1 9-2 8-10 9-1 to win the title for the first time.

Panamerican Squash Championships
San Salvador, El Salvador

Men's Final Result:
[1] Eric Galvez (MEX) bt [3/4] Jose Angel Becerril (MEX) 9-1, 9-2, 8-10, 9-1

Women's Final Result:
[2] Alana Miller (CAN) bt [1] Samantha Teran (MEX) 3-9, 0-9, 9-7, 9-0, 9-5

Ricketts Leaps To Three In New World Rankings
While Frenchman Thierry Lincou and Canada's Jonathon Power stayed at one and two, respectively, in the new November Dunlop PSA Men's World Squash Rankings, published by the Professional Squash Association, Australia's Anthony Ricketts leapt four places to a career-high No3.
The 26-year-old from Sydney celebrated his long climb back after knee surgery in 2004 by winning the British Open title for the first time last month. By displacing compatriot David Palmer, who falls to six, Ricketts also became the highest-ranked Australian for the first time.
Egypt's Amr Shabana, who won the Heliopolis Open and St Louis Open in September, then the Hungarian Open in October, also celebrated a best-ever ranking by moving to four in the new list.
Englishmen Lee Beachill and Peter Nicol slipped to five and seven, while compatriot James Willstrop, surprise runner-up in last month's Dunlop British Open, maintained his hold on eighth place.

World Top Twenty Men
From PSA


1 [1] Thierry Lincou FRA
2 [2] Jonathon Power CAN
3 [7] Anthony Ricketts AUS
4 [5] Amr Shabana EGY
5 [4] Lee Beachill ENG
6 [3] David Palmer AUS
7 [6] Peter Nicol ENG
8 [8] James Willstrop ENG
9 [11] John White SCO
10 [9] Karim Darwish EGY
11 [12] Nick Matthew ENG
12 [10] Gregory Gaultier FRA
13 [14] Graham Ryding CAN
14 [13] Mohd Azlan Iskandar MAS
15 [15] Olli Tuominen FIN
16 [16] Shahid Zaman PAK
17 [17] Ong Beng Hee MAS
18 [19] Adrian Grant ENG
19 [20] Mohammed Abbas EGY
20 [18] Joseph Kneipp AUS

Rachael Edges Ahead At The Top
Australia's Rachael Grinham moved into her 16th month as world number one according to the new November Women’s World Squash Rankings, announced by the Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA).
The 28-year-old from Toowoomba in Queensland followed her victory in the Seattle Open in September by winning the title in the first Hedonism II Open last month in Jamaica, where she notched up her 21st WISPA World Tour title.

World Open champion Vanessa Atkinson, from the Netherlands, retained second position, and Malaysia's Nicol David, who added to her British Open triumph in September by winning last month's Carol Weymuller Open crown in New York, stayed at No3. But Rachael's younger sister Natalie Grinham moved up to fourth place.
Lower down the order, three players registered career-best positions in the November listing. Ireland's Madeline Perry, winner of the Buler Challenge Cup and Irish Open earlier in the year, rose one place to No11. England's Alison Waters leapt three places to 13 after surprise quarter-final berths in last month's Carol Weymuller Open and British Open – while compatriot Laura-Jane Lengthorn is the new No18 after also registering an unexpected place in the last eight of the British Open.

A notable absentee from the latest WISPA world rankings is England's Jenny Tranfield, who announced her retirement in September.
The publication of the November rankings coincided with the latest U23 ranking list, in which the top five players - Nicol David, Jenny Duncalf, Omneya Abdel Kawy, Alison Waters and Laura-Jane Lengthorn – also featured in the main list.

World Top Twenty Women
From WISPA

1 [1] Rachael Grinham AUS
2 [2] Vanessa Atkinson NED
3 [3] Nicol David MAS
4 [5] Natalie Grinham AUS
5 [4] Natalie Grainger USA
6 [6] Linda Elriani ENG
7 [7] Vicky Botwright ENG
8 [10] Tania Bailey ENG
9 [8] Jenny Duncalf ENG
10 [9] Omneya Abdel Kawy EGY
11 [12] Madeline Perry IRL
12 [13] Shelley Kitchen NZL
13 [16] Alison Waters ENG
14 [14] Annelize Naude NED
15 [15] Isabelle Stoehr FRA
16 [18] Fiona Geaves ENG
17 [17] Rebecca Chiu HKG
18 [19] Laura-Jane Lengthorn ENG
19 [20] Pamela Nimmo SCO
20 [23] Latasha Khan USA
Ends