Consistency the key for Gaultier.

GREGORY Gaultier is France's latest pin- up boy.

The 26- year- old from Aixen- Provence, is the second Frenchman to be ranked World No. 1 in squash. He achieved the feat when he finished runner- up in the Hong Kong Open in November. One of the most consistent players on the Professional Squash Association ( PSA) circuit has an Indian connection.

He follows the exploits of tennis ace, Leander Paes.

" I like him ( Leander) because of his sheer athletisicm.

In my days as a junior, I sometimes used to watch his matches on TV. However, now I do not have the time to keep tabs on him anymore," he said. Gaultier will be seen in action at the Punj Lloyd PSA Masters season- ending tournament in Mumbai starting December 5.

A Frenchman heading the ranking in a sport which is dominated by Egyptians is an achievement in itself. But Gaultier does not think so. " Squash is very popular in Europe. In fact, in Paris alone there are about 30 glass backwall courts. And one always finds someone or the other playing here," he said.

This year has been great for the Frenchman. Out of the 11 tournaments he participated in, he made it to the final in eight events including the final of the World Championships.

What is more impressive is the fact that he won 16 titles from 36 final appearances in the PSA circuit. " I think it is consistency more than anything else which matters. To become world No. 1 was one of my cherished dreams ever since I took to the sport as an 8- year- old," he said.

" I have been aiming for this for the past two or three years -- I feel confident being the number one," said Gaultier.

He went on to add that he was surprised to see the response back home. " Even people who did not know me, started shaking hands with me. I was mobbed by fans whenever I went out. To be honest, I was not prepared for something like this," he said.

More than anything else he is relieved that he has justified the hopes and expectations of his fans. " I am more happy that I could bring smiles to my fans back home. In France, squash ranks much lower than tennis and football. So to attract the crowd I need to keep performing that well," he said.

Gaultier had a brilliant record even at the junior level. He won a couple of European titles and a Junior British Open crown. " I was consistent during my junior days as well." Following a distinguished junior career -- which included two European titles, a British Junior Open crown and a berth in the world individual final -- Gaultier has become a major force on the PSA Tour, and now boasts 16 titles from 36 final appearances.

" It is not easy to duplicate one's success in the junior days to the senior level. There are a lot of difficulties one faces when you make the transition. Luckily for me, I did not have to struggle that much," he said.

He had his share of disappointments also. The biggest was a first round loss to Pakistan teenager Ajmal Gareem in the opening round of the Kuwait Open. " That loss really hurt," he said.

He rates Egyptian Amir Shabana as his toughest rival. Amir, who won the World Championships, has beaten Gaultier four times this year. " He ( Amir) is the most difficult player to beat. There are no chinks in his armour and one has to hope that he is not playing at his best," Gaultier said.

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