Aussie Ace Palmer Celebrates Silver Success At Canary Wharf Classic

Australia's David Palmer, at 32 one of the senior citizens of the international squash circuit, clinched the 25th title of his career by beating reigning champion James Willstrop in the final of the ISS Canary Wharf Classic, the $52,500 5-star PSA Tour event at East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf, London.

Palmer's power-play at the start of the match provided the foundation for his victory. He withstood a fierce fight-back from Englishman Willstrop to claim his first Canary Wharf title 11-9, 12-10, 8-11, 11-7 after 65 minutes of high-paced squash before a sell-out crowd at the London Docklands venue.

The opening two games were extremely close, but it was the more experienced Palmer who produced the big points when they were most needed.

He led 9-5 in the first game, but Willstrop fought back to level at 9-9 before Palmer refocused to win the next two points.

Willstrop led 8-6 in the second and then had game ball at 10-9 - but again Palmer fought back to draw level and quickly settled the tiebreak.

He raced to a 6-1 lead in the third game but Willstrop produced a massive recovery for the third time this week. Having battled back from 2/0 down to beat Spaniard Borja Golan in the quarter-finals, and from 2/1 down against Egypt's top seed Amr Shabana in the semis, Willstrop put together a phenomenal run of eight points to lead 9-6.

Palmer then reduced the deficit to 10-9 but Willstrop closed out the game 11-9.

The Yorkshireman opened up a 4-1 lead in the fourth and the noisy, partisan crowd were willing him to take it the full distance. But Palmer settled into his hard-hitting rhythm once more to lead 6-4.

Willstrop claimed two more points to draw level at 6-6 but Palmer surged away again to reach match ball. Willstrop scored another point - but it was the delighted Australian who punched the air with his fist to celebrate a deserved victory.

Willstrop, who is due to undergo an ankle operation next week to remove a bone spur on his ankle, made no excuses after the first defeat in his fourth Canary Wharf final.

"Absolutely no excuses," said the 25-year-old from Leeds. "David has shown all week what a great player he is. We always have great matches and at 6-1 down in the third I somehow managed to stop him winning three-love. He won the match by playing excellent squash in a very sporting manner.

"I am feeling pretty down at the moment, and my father Malcolm and Peter Nicol have tried to console me at courtside, but on reflection, when I was two-love down against Borja on Wednesday night, I would have settled for a place in the final.

"David is still a great competitor and a great champion. It's a great era for squash and with the sport bidding for a rightful place in the Olympics we would love to play matches like this in the Olympic Games."

Palmer said: "I know James has had injury and illness problems this year but to do what he has done this week is amazing. He is a superb player to watch and a wonderful ambassador for the sport. Our matches are always open and for two big guys we move around each other very well.

"I wish I was 22 instead of 32 as I watch these younger guys playing such great squash," added Palmer, now based in Boston, USA. "I have said many times this week that I am still enjoying my squash as much as ever and will continue to play for as long as I can."

Tournament organisers were delighted to announce a two-year extension of the title sponsorship agreement with ISS and venue providers Canary Wharf Group.

Final:
[4] David Palmer (AUS) bt [3] James Willstrop (ENG) 11-9, 12-10, 8-11, 11-7 (65m)