Willstrop beat Gaultier 11-6, 6-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-4 to clinch the Davenport Professional Championship at Richmond University, Virginia, in a marathon match lasting 83 minutes.
It was Willstrop’s third victory in his last four tournaments following successes in the Swedish Open and the National Championships in Manchester. The win was Willstrop’s tenth PSA World Tour title and his third Super Series success.
The reigning Canary Wharf champion, Willstrop also won the Mamut English Open in 2007. His success in Richmond will give him a massive confidence boost ahead of the ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic, in which he is seeded to meet Gaultier in the final once again. The Frenchman, from Aix-en-Provence, is seeded one and Willstrop two.
Qualifying for the ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic begins at Wimbledon Rackets and Fitness Club on Saturday (March 8) before the main event switches to the all-glass Harris Brushes ProCourt at the magnificent East Wintergarden venue at Canary Wharf on Monday, March 10.
Play continues each evening throughout the week with Willstrop seeded to meet Gaultier in the final on Friday, March 14, when women’s world No.1 Nicol David from Malaysia meets new British national champion Alison Waters from London in a special International Challenge.
MEWECO FAIR PLAY AWARD
Organisers announced this week that a special Meweco Fair Play prize of £500 (1,000 dollars US) will also be awarded to the player who displays the highest levels of honesty and sportsmanship throughout the week at the ISS Canary Wharf Classic.
The prize has been offered by former professional Peter Bryttne, from Sweden, who owns the Meweco management training company. He said: “I think that it is better to support good rather than punish bad behaviour. If we can support good behaviour at the top level then perhaps it will spread down the line to all types of players.”
Tickets are still available for each day’s play and are on sale via the Ticket Hotline, 0844 847 2419, or via the website (www.ticketmaster.co.uk).
For full tournament details, please log on to www.canarywharfsquash.com