Gaultier all the rage, except at the pyramids

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2006

CAIRO (AFP) — France's 23-year-old European champion Gregory Gaultier created a huge shock when he stunned world champion Amr Shabana in the tournament which had been created for the Egyptian. Gaultier will now face second seeded Australian David Palmer in the final. The World Open had been brought back to the Giza pyramids after an interval of seven years in the expectation that the king of squash would celebrate keeping his crown in front of the tomb of the pharoahs.

But with a stunning 11-5, 11-7, 2-11, 11-9 win Gaultier ended all the plans, upset the champion, and reduced the crowd to complete silence. It was a shock in the emotional sense, and may prove to be a promotional shock too, but in sporting terms there had been signs that this might be possible. Gaultier had...