Sensational Fightback Sees Palmer Win World Open Crown In Egypt

Australia's David Palmer came back from the dead to beat Frenchman Gregory Gaultier in tonight's drama-filled final of the Al-Ahram World Open, played out on an all-glass court on the Giza Plateaux in Egypt, with the country's world-famous pyramids providing a stunning backdrop.

The PSA Tour's flagship event was back in the sport's most spectacular setting for the first time since 1999 - with the undoubted local hopes that Egypt's 'Prince of Squash' Amr Shabana, the world No1 and title-holder, would feature in tonight's climax.

But Shabana's defence crumbled in the previous round when France's bright new hope Gregory Gaultier - a 23-year-old from Aix-en-Provence who had never before reached a PSA Super Series final - pulled off a sensational upset to dethrone the champion in four games.

Belying his lack of experience on such a stage, however, Gaultier forged a two-games-to-love lead in the final against Palmer - the experienced 30-year-old world No2 who was making his third appearance in a world final, with a famous victory in 2002 in his adopted home town of Antwerp in Belgium to his credit.

Palmer, celebrating his 40th appearance in a PSA Tour event final, dug deep and hauled himself back into the match, winning the third game by the same 11-9 margin as the Frenchman had taken the earlier games, then forcing the fourth into a tie-break.

The Australian saved no less than five match balls against him before clinching victory in the game to level the match.

By now, the younger Gaultier was almost a spent force. Palmer duly enforced his advantage and wrapped up a remarkable 9-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-10 (6-4), 11-2 victory in 103 minutes to claim the World Open title for a second time.

The match - which marks the 18th PSA Tour title of Palmer's career - was not only the longest of the tournament, but the longest World Open final in recent memory.

Final:
[2] David Palmer (AUS) bt [8] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 9-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-10 (6-4), 11-2 (103m)