Squash: Power grabs the glory as Nicol fades

THE CANADIAN Jonathon Power became the first player from north America to win the world title when he scored an unexpected victory over the world No 1, Peter Nicol, in Saturday's final.

Despite losing the opening game in 28 exhausting minutes, Power always had the Briton in trouble with his wrong-footing disguises and sudden volleyed interceptions.

Power quickly won the first five points of the second game and Nicol, suffering stamina problems, let it go. The Scot briefly led 6-4 in the fourth game and he tried to force himself in front of his opponent on court.

However, Nicol's length was too variable and he never managed to dominate his opponent. Power was exultant after the final about a psychological ruse he employed on himself.

"It was the first time since I injured myself in February that I competed without an ankle brace," he said. "It was an incredibly liberating feeling. It was a mental decision I made and it worked really well."

Nicol, who found Power fitter than he had been in the Commonwealth Games final, when the Scot won the gold, said: "I think this was one tournament too many and two matches too far for me."