Gaultier Grabs First Super Series Title At US Open

France's Gregory Gaultier truly came of age on the international squash circuit when he upset Egypt's world number one Amr Shabana to secure the US Open title - and his first PSA Super Series crown - at the Back Bay Events Center in John Hancock Hall in Boston.

A crowd of over 1,000 gathered to watch the final match between the sixth-seeded Frenchman and top seed Shabana. The first game of the match started close, but a few surprising errors by the Egyptian put Gaultier up 6-3. Winning back the serve, Shabana grabbed a quick two, but the 23-year-old from Aix-en-Provence came back with a vengeance going up 10-5, before putting Shabana out of his misery.

The second game of the match saw Gaultier move 6-3 ahead, before a stunning shot gave Shabana the point and serve. Another couple of dazzlers tied it up at six-all, when Shabana took control of the court and the game, zipping ahead to 9-6. An aerobic volley earned Gaultier a point, but an out call gave Shabana the point and the second game to draw level.

Shabana forced a couple of errors on Gaultier in the third, but the formidable Frenchman came back with two unanswered points to tie it again at 3-all. A dubious let call had Gaultier just a bit peeved, but it appeared to be just the impetus he needed to grab a quick five points. At 9-4, Gaultier refused to relinquish control of the T, working Shabana like a punch bag to take the game 11-4 and a 2/1 lead in the match.

The Gods were smiling on Gaultier when he scooted up 5-3 in the fourth game. At 8-6, Gaultier was infuriated with a call by the judges to bring it within one, 8-7. A deadly shot by Shabana brought the game to 8-all, before two sweet points brought it to 10-8. Shabana squeezed out another point, before a tough no-let call gave Gaultier the win and match 11-5, 7-11, 11-4, 11-9 in 61 minutes.

Commenting on his first Super Series victory, Gaultier - who has now extended his head-to-head tally against the Egyptian to a remarkable 4-wins-to-2-losses - told www.PSALive.tv viewers: "Against Shabana I have a good record - I like to play attacking guys and players like Shabana as my game is to counter.

"Now I'm No5 and going up, I hope I'll keep playing and winning. Beating Lincou was big and if I keep playing this way, who knows, I can be number one if I cross my fingers!"

Gaultier thanked Shabana for a great game and shared: "I was not satisfied with my play against David Palmer (in the semi-finals), but today I was relaxed and felt I played a good squash game."

The winner of this year's US Open wins over $10,000 in prize money, as well as a Tourneau Chronograph watch and a "key" to the Boston Racquet Club.

Final:
[6] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [1] Amr Shabana (EGY) 11-5, 7-11, 11-4, 11-9 (61m)