France's Gregory Gaultier, four times a runner-up, captured his first world crown Sunday by defeating Egypt's Omar Mosaad 11-6, 11-7, 12-10 at the Men's World Squash Championships.

The 32-year-old world number three had fallen in the finals in 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2013 before his breakthrough at Bellevue, Washington.

Gaultier became only the second Frenchman to have his name engraved on the champion's trophy after Thierry Lincou in 2004.

Seventh-ranked Mosaad, 27, had never gone beyond the third round before at the worlds.

Gaultier improved to 8-0 lifetime against Mosaad, including victories in last year's third round at worlds and at last month's US Open final.

Gaultier, who lost to Australian David Palmer in his first world final appearance in 2006 at Doha after losing five match points, has been battling illness all week in the northwestern US venue.

But after blitzing through the final, Gaultier followed match point by kneeling on the court and raising his arms into the air in victory.
Source: AFP