Canada wins opening match at men’s world team championships

ODENSE, Denmark – Former world number-one Jonathon Power of Montreal helped Canada to a 3-0 victory over Spain on Monday in its opening round robin match at the men’s world team squash championships.

Power, who retired from the pro circuit in 2006 but continues to wear Canadian colours at major international events, opened the match with an 11-6, 11-4, 11-1 victory over David Vidal in 28 minutes.

Shawn DeLierre of Brossard, Que., clinched the match defeating Carlos Cornes 11-8, 11-3, 11-7. Shahier Razik of Toronto beat Alejandro Garbi in the third match 11-5, 11-8, 11-7.

“It was a very good start for us,” said Yvon Provencal of Montreal, head coach of the men’s national team. “The guys were a bit nervous for the first match so this win can only give them more confidence. It was also a good that all three matches lasted about 30 minutes or less. There’s still a lot of squash to be played in this tournament.”

Power, 35, is competing at his 10th world team championship event. He retired from the professional circuit in 2006 ranked number-one in the world, but has committed to representing Canada at major international events and playing at national championships. He helped Canada to sixth place at the last team worlds in 2007 and fourth place in 2005.

Power is the most successful North American player in sport earning 32 career pro tour wins as well as the 1998 world title and 2002 Commonwealth Games gold. He also helped Canada to a best-ever second place finish at the team worlds in 1997.

Razik brings more experience to the table for Canada. These are his sixth world team championships and he’s enjoyed a strong 2009 so far on the pro circuit winning the National Capital Open in Washington and reaching another final and two semifinals as well.

DeLierre was a member of the 2007 world team, and is currently ranked 60th in the world. David Philips of Pointe-Claire, Que., ranked 68th internationally makes his team worlds debut but is an experienced international player including appearances at the individual worlds last year and the Pan Am championships in 2006.

Canada is seeded seventh in the tournament and is in a pool with number-10 New Zealand and Spain. The top-two in each pool advance to the playoff round. The Canadians complete their round robin Tuesday against New Zealand.