backThe Story So Far
...2001, The Memorable Year
By now based in Antwerp, Belgium - working with compatriot Shaun Moxham, the Belgian national coach - Palmer planned his 2001 campaign. His intended “to sustain my top eight position and challenge for a top four spot; to win a Super Series event; and play for Australia and win the World Teams event.”
The plan got off to a poor start when eighth-seeded Palmer became the biggest first round casualty in the Tournament of Champions in New York , losing 3-1 to Egypt 's Amr Shabana. He made amends quickly. He reached the semi-finals of the Flanders Open in February, beating Stewart Boswell, Graham Ryding and Mark Chaloner en-route to the last four, where he lost to compatriot Paul Price. A month later, he achieved one of his aims of the year, jumping three places to No. 4 in the PSA world rankings. In a few weeks he improved his Super Series event stature when he reached the final of the PSA Masters in Egypt . It was his quarter-final victory which hit the headlines: he twice came from behind to defeat top seed Peter Nicol 12-15 15-10 12-15 15-8 15-13 in 107 minutes, ending Nicol’s run in his first event since defecting to England.
Although he lost in straight games in the final to Jonathon Power, the Australian was now a major force in world squash - and followed up his Super Series final berth in Hurghada with a final appearance in the Irish Open in Dublin , whipping Del Harris, Martin Heath and David Evans before losing to Nicol in the climax. On the eve of his major advance of the year in June, Palmer rose a further place in the PSA world rankings with a career-high No. 3 rank. Then in the British Open at the NIA in Birmingham , seeded three, the focused Australian achieved his second aim of the year: he won the prestigious British Open title for the first time. Victories over compatriot Anthony Ricketts and Stewart Boswell, then Welshman Alex Gough, took him to a semi-final against Peter Nicol's conqueror Lee Beachill. After four games, Palmer was in his second successive Super Series final - where he faced giant-killer Chris Walker (the first-ever qualifier to reach the men's final) on the eve of Walker’s 34th birthday.
Palmer beat Walker 12-15 13-15 15-2 15-9 15-5 in 85 minutes - and the delighted champion confirmed afterwards: “It's certainly my best win, and my first Super Series title - but being the British Open it tops it all!”
A week later, the British Open champion was back in England , competing for the first time in the Super Series Finals in London . He qualified for the last four after victories over Paul Johnson and David Evans - then gambled on a 'set-one' call at 14-14 in the fifth game against World No. 1 Jonathon Power in the semi-finals before registering a remarkable 9-15 6-15 17-16 15-6 15-14 win over the Canadian to take him into the final.
In his second match against Peter Nicol in the event, Palmer went down 15-7 15-11 13-15 17-14 after losing to the defending champion in five games in an earlier pool round.
Palmer consolidated his form as the most consistent player on the PSA Tour by reaching his fifth successive final in the Hong Kong Open in August. Seeded three, he quickly became the favorite after the surprise first round defeat of defending champion Peter Nicol, and the withdrawal of top seed Jonathon Power. Victories over Omar Elborolossy, Nick Matthew, Ong Beng Hee and Mark Chaloner took him to his 20th career final - and a meeting with unseeded Frenchman Thierry Lincou, Nicol’s surprise first round conqueror.
Palmer prevailed 15-13 15-6 15-9 to win the PSA Tour's first Super Series Platinum event - and the prospect of becoming World No1 for the first time.
”Winning Hong Kong is a bonus for my goal this year, which is to win the world team championship in Melbourne for Australia in October,” said Palmer at his post-final press conference.
With this statement, Palmer proceeded to fulfill his ambition and led Australia to becoming World Champions in front of a home crowd in Melbourne. The team did not lose a tie the whole tournament, which brought them a record seventh World Men’s Team Championship.
This title came for Palmer after a semi-final in the Al-Ahram International in September, where he went down to a very determined Peter Nicol in four close games. Palmer continued his great form in the Qatar Classic in early October by reaching his 6th final of the year. En route to the final he overcame former world No. 2 Peter Marshall, veteran Del Harris, Thierry Lincou and Australian team mate Stewart Boswell, before encountering Peter Nicol. After a slow start Palmer came from two games down to level the match, but failed to capture his third Super Series Title. The end of the year was a little disappointing compared to the previous: reaching the quarterfinals, he lost to Lee Beachill in the YMG Classic in Toronto.
