Prince Trio Dominate British Open Finals

In a remarkable endorsement of Prince O3 racquet technology, the brand's players claimed three of the four places in the finals of the 2008 British Open - the longest established and most prestigious event in world squash.

The women's final in Liverpool was a surprise all-Prince affair, in which Malaysian favourite Nicol David took on England's fifth seed Jenny Duncalf.

While world number one David was appearing in her fourth successive final, Duncalf was celebrating her maiden appearance in the climax of the 'Wimbledon' of squash. In the best result of her career, the 25-year-old made her breakthrough in the quarter-finals when she defeated defending champion Rachael Grinham - the reigning world champion from Australia.

Nicol David, making her tournament debut with the Prince O3 Speedport Black racquet, was in awesome form, beating Duncalf 9-1, 10-8, 9-0 in 40 minutes to claim the title for the third time.

England's James Willstrop, who has secured seven major squash titles since adopting Prince O3 racquet technology just nine months ago, fought through to the men's final after despatching former world champion Thierry Lincou in straight games in the semis.

In what will go down as one of the most dramatic men's finals in the British Open's 80-year-old history, Willstrop twice served for the title only to have hopes of a Prince double dashed when Australian David Palmer clinched victory 11-9, 11-9, 8-11, 6-11, 11-10 (3-1) in a 111-minute thriller.

"James is a great guy and a great ambassador for the sport," said Palmer afterwards. He's one of the fairest guys on the Tour - he is going to win this title one day, for sure," added the four times champion.

Prince Global Tour Manager Peter Nicol acknowledged that the two finals proved to be a wonderful endorsement of O3 technology: "It was a fantastic achievement for Jenny Duncalf to reach her first major final - but she was playing the best player in the world and Nicol David was just too good on the day.

"The men's final was one of the toughest games you're ever likely to seen - real gutsy squash," added Nicol. "The fifth was anybody's game - and James, who fought to the bitter end, was twice on the brink of his greatest triumph ever.

"All three players a true credit to the brand."

Nicol David won her first British Open title in October 2005, less than two weeks after signing to Prince and switching to O3 technology. Since then she has established a remarkable record, reaching the finals in 24 of the 26 WISPA World Tour events in which she has competed. The 2008 British Open was David's 20th title since joining Prince!

England international Jenny Duncalf also won the first tournament she entered after moving to the O3 Black racquet - becoming the British National champion for the first time at the beginning of last year. Since then, Duncalf has reached three further WISPA finals and has retained her European Individual Championship title.

Following a low period in 2006 after winning the world junior title in 2002, James Willstrop joined Team Prince in September 2007 - and revitalised his career. Victory in the Prince English Grand Prix - his first PSA Tour ranking event using the O3 Black racquet - saw Willstrop begin a fantastic Tour run in which the 24-year-old England number one has made six finals out of his last seven events - with title triumphs in four.

Furthermore, Willstrop - who switched to the O3 Speedport Black in January - led England to success in the World Team Championships in December, and retained his British National crown in February.