27-Nov:
Two Hopes For Thierry
  
Thierry Lincou arrives in Hong Kong as the defending champion, having won the Hong Kong Open here in 2004, and the World Open in Doha, where he exited the Qatar Classic yesterday at the semi-final stage.

Defending the World Open title is one target - no European has ever done it, and Jansher Khan was the last to do it, nine years ago - but to do so Lincou will probably have to get past compatriot Gregory Gaultier and then his nemesis Peter Nicol even to reach the semi-finals.

He has become my bete noir, because he used to be my role model," Lincou told AFP. "I really learnt a few things from him. That's why it is difficult sometimes when I play against him."  Full interview

Lincou feels at home in Hong Kong, his mother is of Chinese origin and the fans here have always taken to him, so the conditions for him beating Nicol, who has won nine of their last ten encounters, could hardly be better.