Power Loses To Shabana - And Lower Back Pain

The final of the PACE Canadian Classic in Toronto was not the climax that was hoped for: the scintillating prospect of the world champion playing the world number one was dashed by injury. Local star Jonathon Power's lower back once more curtailed his challenge for a further title as Egypt's Amr Shabana wrapped up a straight games victory in just over half an hour.

The charismatic Power, the world number one from Montreal, was the victim of his own success; always in demand and having played virtually non-stop for nine weeks. This tournament was perhaps one match too many and Shabana, the World Open champion from Cairo, took only his second career victory over the Canadian - the first coming about in the same fashion when Power retired due to injury during the 2005 Dayton Open.

Though the pair played the full three games, the match was as good as finished after the first 19-minute game, during which Power took a three-minute injury break to get some manipulation on his lower spine.

The Canadian, in his 60th PSA Tour final, came back to win the next point to make the score 9-9 - but he gave up a penalty stroke on the next rally and was unable to get to a Shabana drop shot on the next, giving the talented Egyptian the game 11-9.

Power was grimacing with pain almost from the first rally of the second game. Trailing 2-4, he hung from the back wall in an attempt to rid himself of the spasms, but it was little use. He could barely run and turning brought more grimaces of pain. The game was over in eight minutes, 11-8 in Shabana's favour.

The third was even quicker with Power forced to go for winners and hitting the tin. Shabana was going for drops, realising that Power was unable to move. In four minutes Shabana had the game, and the match 11-9, 11-8, 11-5 in 37 minutes.

Power was upset and said to the capacity audience that he wished he played tennis so he could give them all their money back. It was a classic Power quip and the audience responded to him with a long ovation.

"I had a numb leg all day, something to do with my sciatic nerve. The physio couldn't understand what was happening. But I didn't feel stiff. But after a hard game yesterday, I didn't have time to recover," Power said later.

Shabana was not the joyous winner: "It's sad, but I wanted to win and a win is a win. Jonathon hasn't stopped since September and he had a hard game last night. But I am happy to win this tournament," said a subdued Shabana.

Final:
[2] Amr Shabana (EGY) bt [1] Jonathon Power (CAN) 11-9, 11-8, 11-5 (37m)