Squash News - James Willstrop goes in to 2012 as undisputed world number one
Last updated 12/20/2011 10:02:18 AM
Squash News - James Willstrop goes in to 2012 as undisputed world number one
England's James Willstrop marched towards 2012 as the world's undisputed number one squash player after a remarkable comeback in the PSA Masters final in India.
Willstrop, 28, outlasted and eventually outplayed Gregory Gaultier of France 19-21 11-8 11-4 6-1, forcing his opponent to retire with cramp, winning his third title in a row.
The victory will see Willstrop top the men's world rankings for the first time on 1 January, overtaking another Englishman, Yorkshire's Nick Matthew.
Willstrop, who won in Delhi despite losing a gruelling 58-minute first game, said it had been "an amazing day".
An English win seemed unlikely after Willstrop's setback in that marathon opener.
In a tense, game he spurned several opportunities to win by the two clear points required once the score reaches 10-all, and it was Gaultier who eventually took the lead after an hour on court.
But any hopes the Frenchman had of pressing his advantage were dashed thanks to the conditioning and racquet-work of the 6ft 4in Willstrop.
Willstrop, who emerged for the second game looking the fresher, got off to a flying 4-1 start and converted it 11-8.
After that it was all downhill for an exhausted Gaultier, who lost the third 11-4 in quick order and retired, barely able to move, at 6-1 down in the fourth.
"It's a very emotional moment for me. It was not just a final but a lot more to me. A very special achievement for me," said Willstrop.
Matthew, 31, was forced to sit out the tournament with an adductor injury, which also saw him withdraw from last month's Kuwait Cup.
He has beaten Willstrop in their last 11 meetings on the PSA tour, with his last defeat to him coming in the December 2007 English Open.