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Wael El Hindi

2012 PST World Champion

Wael El Hindi interview

Wael El Hindi in his Championship interview

Wael El Hindi

L to R: Doug Troszak, David Palmer, Tom Delaney, Mick Joint, Wael El Hindi

May 6, 2012 - Wael El Hindi beat David Palmer 11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 13-11 on Sunday to win the 2012 PST World Championship hosted by Detroit Athletic Club.

Players from 29 countries competed in PST tournaments over the past season, which began last August. Hindi and Palmer were both mid-season recruits to the growing tour.

Hindi began the one hour 11 minute match with precision and intensity as he jumped to an immediate 5-0 lead in game one. Palmer fought back but Hindi was able to close out the opening frame 11-9.

Game two saw a sharper Palmer return to court. He was able to impose his will more decisively on the pace and nature of play. Game two to Palmer 11-8.

Game three went to Hindi 11-6. The Egyptian looked strong now, and it appeared he may be able to win the day. But game four, which would last over 25 minutes, was going to showcase a tidal wave of emotion.

Palmer raced to a 5-1 lead in game four. He was moving well and finding winning shot opportunities as Hindi struggled. However, the next nine consecutive rallies were won by Hindi and the championship was in sight.

Palmer has won two world titles coming from behind each time. So, he is never one to be counted out prematurely. And he was able to fight his way back to 10-10 here again by winning the next five rallies. The room became quiet as fans could feel the intensity on court and the importance of the moment.

The next rally went to Hindi. At championship point, Hindi believed he had won the title on a errant tin shot from Palmer. Mr. Palmer said his ball was good. The referees announced that the positioning of the players on court created a situation where the officials were unsighted. They announced the rally to be replayed. Hindi seemed furstrated as he saw his championship taken away for the time being.

It took a couple more rallies. But this was to be Hindi's day, and he closed out the match and the tournament with a 13-11 game four.

In the third place match John White beat Bradley Ball 11-6, 12-14, 11-8, 11-5.

detroit fans

Wael El Hindi Joe McManus

PST Commissioner Joe McManus presenting the Championship Trophy to Wael El HIndi

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May 5, 2012 - David Palmer (Australia) will face Wael El Hindi (Egypt) Sunday afternoon in the finals of the PST World Championships hosted by the Detroit Athletic Club (DAC).

Palmer beat John White (Australia/Scotland) in his semi-final match on Saturday afternoon 11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 13-11 to advance to the finals. Palmer and White received a warm applause from the crowd after the match. "They are living legends of the game," said PST Commissioner Joe McManus. "I was moved by the extended applause they both received. The DAC fans were wonderful in their respect for the players on court."

Hindi beat reigning PST Champion Bradley Ball (England) 11-3, 9-11, 11-7, 11-5 in their semi-final match. The room was electric while these two players were on court. They have a history of fireworks in their recent match play. However, today's match was characterized by gentlemanly behavior.

"That means a great deal to me," said McManus. "Squash needs players to be respectful of the fans' desire to see fair play on court. I was equally impressed by Ball and Hindi's demeanor on court today."

Hindi and Palmer have faced each other twice previously in PST action. In 2010, Hindi beat Palmer to win the Baltimore Open Championship. Last week, Palmer beat Hindi to win the PST American Open.

The stakes have never been higher between the two. Watch all the action live from the Detroit Athletic Club on www.UBsports.com.

Racquet Up clinic

PST pros on court with Detroit's Racquet Up players

Racquet Up

Andres Vargas on court for a junior clinic

Racquet Up

PST's Adrian Leanza during a youth player clinic Bradley Ball John White

Bradley Ball and John White "hydrating" and speaking with fans post-match

A view from the rafters at the DAC

A full house enjoyed David Palmer and John White's semi-final match

The view from the UBsports.com desk

DAC scoreboard

Detroit Athletic Club's on site score board

cbs detroit

David Palmer on CBS Radio Detroit: click here

Semi-final results:

Wael El Hindi beat Bradley Ball 11-3, 9-11, 11-7, 11-5

David Palmer beat John White 11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 13-11

Round of 8 Results

David Palmer beat Supreet Singh 11-8, 11-9, 11-6

Bradley Ball beat Adres Vargas 16-14, 11-3, 11-4

John White beat Adrian Leanza 11-3, 11-8, 11-7

Wael El Hindi beat Ned Marks 11-6, 11-3, 11-2

May 4, 2012 - PST's Top Eight players from the season standings arrived in Detroit for the 2012 PST World Championships. Opening round action was received well by a crowd interested in seeing PST's "no let" rules in effect.

"This was a great opening night," said PST Commissioner. "Fans should tune in on Saturday for the semi-finals. Great squash action will be broadcast live courtesy of UBsports.com."

Several players from the Racquet Up Detroit program were in attendance for the evening of matches. PST players will be hosting clinics for the players on Saturday before the semi-finals.

Racquet Up Detroit with PST's Elite Eight