Despite losing at the Al-Ahram World Squash Open in Cairo, Egyptian Amr Shabana remains at the top of the world rankings for the sixth consecutive month. Inas Mazhar reports The September 2006 rankings of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) confirmed Shabana's world lead with 10150 points won by playing in 10 tournaments. Australia's David Palmer, the newly crowned world champion, remains at number two in the world ranking by collecting 7618.75 points from 11 tournaments. And Frenchman Gregory Gaultier who ended Shabana's dream in winning the third world title at home soil jumped one place, from eighth to seventh by winning 4437.5 in 12 tournaments. The final of the Al-Ahram World Squash Open was a thrilling clash between Palmer and Gaultier. Palmer, celebrating his 40th appearance in a PSA Tour event final, came back from the dead to win the third game by the same 11-9 margin as the Frenchman had taken the earlier two games, then forcing the fourth into a tie-break. The Australian saved no less than five match balls against him before clinching victory in the game to level the match. By now, the younger Gaultier was almost a spent force. Palmer duly enforced his advantage and wrapped up a remarkable 9-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-10 (6-4), 11-2 victory in 103 minutes to claim the World Open title for a second time. The match, which marked the 18th PSA Tour title of Palmer's career, was not only the longest of the tournament, but the longest World Open final in recent memory. Palmer rejoiced after winning his second crown. By microphone, he spoke to the crowd after the match, saying he was happy to win the world title after a long and tough season that had taken him away of his own home and family most of the year. But he said it was worth it. Nobody was perhaps more disappointed at that Open than Gaultier, who had beaten Shabana in the semi-finals. And after leading two games in the final, he allowed Palmer to claw his way back. However, Gaultier said he believed he had played a "super tournament" despite losing, adding he still hoped to win the world championship one day. It was the first time the 23-year-old Gaultier had reached a PSA Super Series final. After taking the first two games, Gaultier lost his way in the third game as Shabana turned on his racket magic and reduced the deficit. But Gaultier could still sense victory and duly regained his focus in the fourth game to charge to a majestic 11-5, 11-7, 2-11, 11-9 win. Shabana's stunning loss was put down to pressure of playing at home. Winning the world title twice abroad was apparently easier. Shabana is currently in England taking part in the British Open .
