HONG KONG SeP‘ 8: Worid number onc Jansher Khan's powerful reign at the Hong Kong
Squash Open continued into its fifth year here Sunday, reports AFP.
The Pakistani squash king celebrated his filth anniversary defeating Australian Tristan Nancarrow by three games to two In the final of the 50,000 US dollar tournament.
The 22-year-old Jansher was pushed all the way before emerging triumphant 16-17,15-6, 15-17, 15-4, 15-5.
"My plan is to win this tournament 10 times in a row," the confident Jansher said afterwards.
"I thought I would win 3-0 today. But I played some bad shots and allowed him to win two games. But even when he was leading 2-1, 1 knew I could win," added Jansher who returns home Monday to play in this week's Pakistan Open.
Jansher's rule began In 1987, when as a gawky
teenager he stoic the limelight and the British territory's premier squash event from under the noses of the world's best players.
He defeated a host of top players Including the then world number one — compatriot Jahangir Khan.
Five years on, Jansher has conquered the world rankings, looks as impregnable and has turned the Hong Kong Open into his special domain.
More illustrious players than Nancarrow have failed to wrest the crown away from the lanky and languid Jansher in past finals.
Australian Chris Dittmar failed from 1987 to 1989. Last' year another Australian, Chris Robertson, ended on the loser's scrapheap. Nancarrow's fate was no different Sunday.
The world number eight found himself in the final more by chance than effort.
The major hurdles in Nancarrow's half of the draw failed to materialise, with world number two Jahangir withdrawing after the first round through illness and then world number four Dittmar being downed by England's Del Harris.
Byt Nancarrow, playing tn his first final In five years, proved a worthy finalist.
He won the first game coming back from 10-14 and saving six game points.
Jansher levelled scores but Nancarrow hit back to take the third game with a superb forehand nick and raise the prospect of a shock win.
Jansher, however, patiently fought his way back, maxing long volleys and stunning winners to win the last two games easily to consolidate his hold over the tournament.
"I just couldn't keep going. I tried to keep my concentration up but it was hard at that pace,” said Nancarrow, who starts a one-month ban this week.
The victory g&ve Jansher his third successive tournament win in as many weeks — following the Singapore Open and Malaysia Open — and also a winner's purse of 9,000 US dollars.
Finals result:
Jansher Khan (Pakistan) bt Tristan Nancarrow (Australia) 16-17,15-6,15-17,15-4,15-5.