Gaultier & Grinham Win Dunlop British Open Titles

In a dramatic conclusion to the Dunlop British Open, Gregory Gaultier beat compatriot Thierry Lincou to become the first Frenchman to win the men's title - and Australia's Rachael Grinham saved a match-ball to defeat overwhelming favourite Nicol David in the longest women's final on record.

After upsetting higher-ranked opponents in the semi-finals at the National Squash Centre at Sportcity in Manchester, Gaultier and Lincou met in the first ever all-French final in the 77-year history of the world-renowned championship.

And it was perhaps no surprise when third seed Gaultier, the 24-year-old world No4 from Aix-en-Provence, took the opening game.

But 31-year-old Lincou, the former world number one from Marseille who has built up a reputation as a slow starter, fought back in a dramatic second game to draw level.

Despite spending most of his career as the country's number two, behind Lincou, Gaultier truly came of age after 63 minutes in Manchester when he triumphed 11-4, 10-11 (0-2), 11-6, 11-3 to claim his maiden British Open title.

"Winning the British was, with the World Open title, a dream of mine - it's my biggest win ever," said an emotional Gaultier to the official website www.britishopensquash.com. "This summer I've trained with Thierry, Wael (El Hindi), Renan (Lavigne), and it paid off.

"I'm also happy that Thierry is back at his best, although you need a winner and a loser, and tonight I was the winner!

"Thierry was a big boost for my career, throughout my whole career, and I'm grateful for what he brought into my life. I'm very happy."

The victory - surprisingly, his first Tour win of the year - brings Gaultier's career PSA Tour tally to 11 titles.

The earlier women's final proved to be one of the most dramatic of all-time - in which Malaysia's world number one Nicol David opened up a two-game lead en-route to an anticipated third successive title.

But third seed Grinham, the 2003 and 2004 champion who had upset her higher-ranked younger sister Natalie Grinham in the semi-finals, refused to bow to the dominant Malaysian who had won their previous 14 meetings since April 2005.

The 30-year-old former world number one from Toowoomba in Queensland reduced the deficit by winning the third, then saw the fourth go to eight-all - before David served for championship ball at 9-8.

But the Australian recovered to force the match into a fifth game decider - and immediately raced to 8-0, and her own first match-ball. David took a further point - but the rampant Queenslander was not to be denied her shock victory as she clinched the title after 87 minutes in a 7-9, 4-9, 9-3, 10-8, 9-1 scoreline.

"It's the best win I ever had. I already won two titles, but that was a couple of years ago, and I haven't won any major tournaments since - and it was looking less and less likely that I would ever win another one," conceded world No3 Grinham.

"I felt quite focused, but I was a little slow in the beginning, not as good as yesterday. Then I thought, come on, the pressure is on her, make her work for it, and I tried to make sure I didn't give anything away when she was serving.

"Winning the third gave me a lot of confidence, and she was not as quick as she was at the start.

"I lost a bit of motivation over the last couple of years. I gradually started losing finals, then semis, then quarters - this year I had a couple of first round losses. I thought 'c'mon, what are you doing?'

"I know it's a long time since I beat her, I knew I could beat her, but the way my career was going I knew it had to be soon! But really, today, it was just unbelievable, it must be my most satisfying win ever."

The victory marks a notable milestone for Grinham who now boasts 25 WISPA World Tour titles. The success also extends Grinham's lead over Nicol David as the current WISPA player with the most Tour titles.

RESULTS: Dunlop British Open Squash Championships, Manchester, England

Men's final:
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [4] Thierry Lincou (FRA) 11-4, 10-11 (0-2), 11-6, 11-3 (63m)

Women's final:
[3] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [1] Nicol David (MAS) 7-9, 4-9, 9-3, 10-8, 9-1 (87m)