Champion Shabana & Former Champion Ricketts In Grand Central Final

Egypt's top seed Amr Shabana and Australia's seventh seed Anthony Ricketts will meet in the final of the Bear Stearns Tournament of Champions in New York after Shabana, the title-holder, beat fourth-seeded compatriot Ramy Ashour, and Ricketts, the 2005 champion, defeated Finland's Olli Tuominen in the semi-finals of the PSA Super Series event in its tenth year at Grand Central Terminal.

Shabana ended the magical run of 19-year-old Ramy Ashour, in his inaugural appearance in the Bear Stearns-sponsored event - showing the rising squash star what it means to be world No1 and defending champion. The eagerly anticipated showdown between the champion and challenger had the standing room only crowd in the spectacular Grand Central Terminal setting buzzing with anticipation.

When the younger Egyptian took early leads in each of the first two games, the spectators were hoping for the same kind of excitement they had experienced in Ashour's quarterfinal win over Englishman James Willstrop. In the first game, Shabana took command at 5-5 - closing it out at 11-6. The second game went to 9-9 before Shabana won it 11-9. The third was all Shabana, jumping out to a 3-1 lead which he never relinquished as he took the game and match 11-6, 11-9, 11-6 after 36 minutes.

In the end, the 27-year-old's experience, quickness and gifted shot-making ruled the day and Ashour could not reproduce the same electric energy on court that he had displayed in previous matches. Unlike Ashour's earlier opponents, Shabana did not give the youngster an inch of room on the side wall or in the back of the court to make the spectacular shots that Ashour had been able to produce with ease in prior matches. Conversely, Shabana displayed his extraordinary ability to produce breathtaking shots from every spot on the court as well fabulous agility and speed.

"I think he was nervous," Shabana said after the match. "I remember when I was 19 and everyone expected me to win. And this is the semi-finals of the Tournament of Champions - that's a lot of pressure.

"I am playing as well as I ever have," added the world's top player.

Shabana at the top of his game is a tall order for 2005 ToC champion Anthony Ricketts, who ended what was the best tournament of Olli Tuominen's career. The tenth-seeded Finn's appearance in the semi-finals was his first in 38 Super Series event appearances since making his debut in the World Open in September 1999.

The first game was all Ricketts as he won 11-6 and led the whole way. Tuominen, as he did all week, came back in the second and took it 11-8. Ricketts then took Tuominen by surprise by altering his game a bit and slowing down the pace at the end of the second and beginning of the third game.

"It is not my natural game," said Ricketts of the slower pace. "But I wanted to do something different to get my mind back in the match." The strategy worked as Ricketts dominated the third, winning 11-1.

With Tuominen losing momentum, the Aussie could smell victory and closed out the match 11-6. The match had some classic moments of Ricketts' intensity, but he also mixed in some humour. At one point mid-match, Ricketts was sprawled on the court floor and Tuominen hit the ball just barely over his opponent's head. Ricketts, who had picked up his racquet, asked for a let and the crowd booed. Unperturbed, Ricketts said to the crowd, "Relax, I could have it off the back wall."

Shabana and Ricketts played each other in the final of the Windy City Open just a few weeks ago, with Shabana the victor. Ricketts, however, is confident going into the final: "When I have my movement and focus together, I'm a tough man to beat."

Semi-finals:
[1] Amr Shabana (EGY) bt [4] Ramy Ashour (EGY) 11-6, 11-9, 11-6 (36m)
[7] Anthony Ricketts (AUS) bt [10] Olli Tuominen (FIN) 11-6, 8-11, 11-1, 11-6 (54m)