Michael Desaulniers
Encyclopedia
Michael "Mike" Desaulniers is a former World No. 1 hardball squash
player from Canada
.
Desaulniers played squash for Harvard University
, and won the US intercollegiate title in 1977, 1978 and 1980 (he missed the 1979 event because of a broken foot).
Desaulniers is probably best remembered for his win over the legendary player Sharif Khan
in the final of the 1982 North American Open
(the most prestigious title in hardball squash at the time). Desaulniers' 10-15, 15-12, 15-8, 15-9 win over Khan ended a run of six consecutive titles at the championship for Khan, and marked only the second time that Khan had failed to win the title since 1969. Khan never won the title again.
A series of injuries kept Desaulniers away from the tour in 1983. He made a successful return in 1984, and then retired from the game in 1986.
Hardball squash
Hardball squash is a format of the indoor racquet sport squash which was first developed in North America in the late 19h century and early 20th century. It is sometimes referred to as being the "American version" of the sport...
player from Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Desaulniers played squash for Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, and won the US intercollegiate title in 1977, 1978 and 1980 (he missed the 1979 event because of a broken foot).
Desaulniers is probably best remembered for his win over the legendary player Sharif Khan
Sharif Khan
Sharif Khan is a retired professional squash player. He is widely considered to be one of the all-time great players of hardball squash . He was the dominant player on the hardball squash circuit throughout the 1970s...
in the final of the 1982 North American Open
United States Open (squash)
The United States Open squash championships is an annual squash tournament sponsored by U.S. Squash. The championship was inaugurated in 1954 as an opportunity for professionals and amateurs to compete against each other...
(the most prestigious title in hardball squash at the time). Desaulniers' 10-15, 15-12, 15-8, 15-9 win over Khan ended a run of six consecutive titles at the championship for Khan, and marked only the second time that Khan had failed to win the title since 1969. Khan never won the title again.
A series of injuries kept Desaulniers away from the tour in 1983. He made a successful return in 1984, and then retired from the game in 1986.