BO Mens Preview p12_3 Column Left 09/11/2012 09:45 Page 1 MEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Showdown in the Desert Rod Gilmour previews the men's World Championship in Doha from December 7 to 14 THE LOWDOWN learn that it is 10 years since the Egyptian FIVE TO WATCH Qatar will be the 15th country to host the last failed to reach the last eight. Shabana James Willstrop men’s World Championship, which simply loves the big stage and claiming the Commonwealth, world and changes its name from the World Open for odd scalp or two. When he won his first British titles have all the first time this year. The venue – the world title in 2003, the ninth seed beat eluded the 6ft 2in Khalifa International Tennis and Squash four higher-seeded players along the way. Yorkshireman thanks to the Complex – is the one used at the long- gritty exploits of chief rival running Qatar Classic and boasts a WHAT WE WILL/WON'T SEE Nick Matthew. However, $325,000 prize fund, the second biggest Won’t see: Nick Matthew tweeting. In the no.1 seed is buoyed by a highly- in the sport's history. 2011 the Englishman handed himself a favourable draw, with all his main rivals in one-week Twitter ban in Rotterdam as he the shark-infested waters below. COURT WATCH focused on retaining his world crown. He Nick Matthew As seen at the Qatar Classic in previous admitted that he had taken heed from a A third title would be years, conditions can prove benign on a throwaway comment made by US Open unprecedented for an cool glass court. “The floor is fairly hard, tennis champion Andy Murray a few years Englishman. His meaning the guys who can progress ago. “In the end I got my head down, perseverance, through the earlier rounds quicker will have shut myself off from it and it seemed to professionalism and an advantage later on, with less wear and work,” Matthew said after winning his physicality should also play tear on the legs,” reports England’s Daryl second title. a major factor in his hat-trick bid. Time Selby. Will see: Referees on the back foot. In will tell if Qatar remains his last chance such a big event the less-than-graceful for world success too. CHAMPIONSHIP IN NUMBERS antics of Davide Bianchetti in Rotterdam – Amr Shabana 686 – minutes it took Nick Matthew to when the Italian was disqualified for The brilliant Egyptian was win both his World Open titles colourful language and indiscipline – was distraught at his exit last 555 – matches Jahangir Khan won in not a sight those present would like to see year to James Willstrop succession until Ross Norman again. Squash officials, however, have after hitting peak form in ended his record-breaking run in since shown little sign of cracking down on Rotterdam. Leaner and the 1986 final over-the-top player dialogue towards meaner this year – as 130 – length (in minutes) of first final in referees. consistently expressed by his peers – can 1976 Shabana do the unthinkable and win a 100 – minutes it took Matthew to get WHAT I'LL MISS.... fifth title at the grand old age of 33? past Mohamed El Shorbagy en “It is always the best tournament. To be Greg Gaultier route to winning the 2011 title world champion, you hold that title for 12 Rivals have marvelled in 39 – months Peter Nicol held the 1999 months. The history with Jahangir, Geoff ‘G-Force’s’ form since the title before having to defend it Hunt and Jansher on the trophy makes it birth of his first son over 21 – consecutive years (from 1976- special to have your name on there. It the summer. Refreshed 1996) in which there was Pakistani always holds a special atmosphere, and seemingly reinvented, interest in the final something that I will miss with not he blew Nick Matthew off 16 – years since the title was last won playing,” David Palmer, former world no. 1. court to win the NetSuite Open in San by a Pakistani Francisco in October. Always there or 6 – former world no.1s competing in THE VIEW FROM… thereabouts, but must overcome his Qatar India mental barriers. “The performance of Indian squash players Ramy Ashour STAT ATTACK is moving up. Within the last year we have The sensationally-gifted Since making his World Open debut in had our best performances at the World Egyptian has had a topsy- 1998, Amr Shabana has played 50 Men's Team and World Junior turvy career at world level. matches, with just eight losses. With a Championships. Saurav Ghosal is ready Having won in 2008, he record like that, it is hardly a surprise to and all set to jump into the top 20. Many left Kuwait in 2009 in years of dedication and perseverance have tears after a 3/0 final gone into this. I’m confident of him drubbing by Amr Shabana before pulling reaching his potential,” Cyrus Poncha, up for the second Open in succession India coach. with hamstring problems last year. He has won all three events he has entered this Germany season. “Having won bronze in the Men’s European Teams at Nuremberg led by Simon Rosner, HOW TO WATCH we surely hope that he will prove that he is SquashTV will broadcast more than 65 ready to progress up the rankings. hours of live content in Qatar. There will be Germany has a strong men’s team right at least 10 staff on site producing output, now and all of them are also preparing for having transported almost one ton of the 2013 World Games,” Volker Bernardi, equipment to Doha. More info: German Squash Federation. www.psasquashtv.com Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex 12 THE SQUASH PLAYER.