DAVID AT LAST...
Kim Tunney reports from Chicago

This morning’s winds gusted up to 30 miles an hour and appropriately blew in an upset  from Australia, which landed on the doorstep of the 25th SSA Global Windy City Open tonight. In the greatest five-game final tie breaking match ever played in Chicago, David Palmer beat Jonathon Power in a fifth game tie-break.

Palmer threw a red herring earlier in the week,  speculating that Thierry Lincou would take the title as Lincou was under no pressure. That statement worked to take it off Palmer instead.

Palmer blew through the tournament into the final, his  four matches against Kemp, Gough, White and Willstrop, costing him only12 games in wear and tear on his body. Power started as well, beating Kenny, Gaultier and Ricketts in three, but his five game semi-final against Shabana cost him.

In game one Palmer pulled out to a moderate paced lead, up 4-1 looking steady and staying in front of Power who was forced deep to retrieve. Power's hands failed him in the backhand front corner. And that, coupled with seven errors to the tin from Power, gave Palmer the game 11-5 winning on a carry.

The tables and score were flipped exactly in game two (5-11) with a frustrated and rushed looking Palmer allowing Power to take the front. “I didn’t push him to the back and he took the front position off me,” explained Palmer.

The two played in tandem early in game three, with Palmer, who eventually took it 11-8, looking more in control. “I worked a bit harder in the third and got into better position,” said the former British and World Open Champion. Palmer found success finding the nick in the backhand front and  won a game filled with shoving and dramatics on a no let . Power exited stage right where the patrons heard him throw his racquet on the massage table.

Palmer was surprised to find himself down 5-0 after the first five points of the fourth as Power went on to take it 11-9. “I was frustrated to be in that position, and I didn’t hit the ball that well,” thought Palmer. The let calls continued with the game won on a stroke.

Power drove the lead to 4-1 in the fifth with Palmer now finding the tin. Palmer brought the score up to 6-5, then the momentum swung in Power’s favour up, 10-6 match-ball  and it looked as if this was to be Power’s win. But slowly Palmer climbed himself out of the hole, point by point with twin forehand, then backhand crosscourt nicks.

In a dramatic rally the two players shot to all points of the court with Power landing on the floor after a forehand retrieval that sent the ball upward into Cathedral Hall’s two-story the barrel vaulted ceiling, to no avail. Power was stuck on ten and Palmer levelled.

Palmer broke the tie by hitting a forehand crosscourt nick to get to eleven. “I just didn’t want to be the one to lose on an error.” He didn't. Power did, finding the tin on the return of serve...

After missing out in four finals in the last six months David Palmer was finally the champion for the first time since his victory in the Kuwait Open in March 05. And come February he may be number one again ...
   

"I was frustrated because I thought I could wrap it up in the fourth and I thought all credit to Jon if he wins the fifth on a winner. I just didn’t want to lose on an error. "I’m honoured to be the champion especially as this is the first time I’ve played it.  "You (Chicago) should be very proud as this is one of the best tournaments on the tour."          David Palmer

 

"Every year the event gets bigger and better. This is the third year we’ve sponsored the event and this year has gone leaps and bounds better. "If we moved it out of this venue we’d lose so much atmosphere. I think we can open up the game to more people in other ways, say through television, rather than move it to a larger more public space. "We are going to ensure this tournament is the richest tournament in North America." Graeme Cooksley SSA Global