After failing to advance beyond the semi-finals in three previous forays Zarak Jahan Khan at last captured the cherished crown of Heinz Bermuda Open squash champion following a shocking 3-0 upset victory over number one seed Australian Brett Martin last night.

Combining stunning retrieval skills and unbelievable touch, the second seeded Pakistani simply overran the favoured Aussie, absorbing everything his opponent could throw at him and forcing numerous errors.

In the process he also denied Martin a chance at a record fourth title, which is beginning to look increasingly elusive.

With standing room only at the Devonshire Courts, an electric atmosphere greeted the two combatants.

The Zarak/Martin match-up presented a severe contrast in styles, with Martin noted for his delicate style and finesse making for quick points and Zarak preferring to rally, waiting for his opponent to make mistakes.

Still, it appeared as if Martin might put the `lights' out early as he took advantage of a tentative Zarak to bolt to a 6-0 advantage to start the first game.

However, while many would have buckled under the initial onslaught, Zarak only got stronger, coming back to tie the game at 8-8 before getting his first lead at 9-8. Martin responded, levelling things again at 9-9, but Zarak claimed six of the next eight points to win 15-11.

"I was 6-0 down. He's a stroke player and it's hard to play with him and he was going for his shots, was getting them and I was a little nervous,'' said Zarak of his early troubles. "I was waiting for him to make mistakes so that I could do something.

"And then I broke my string and I wasn't getting good length with my racquet, but when I changed it I started playing well again.'' Indeed, Zarak, transformed himself from the unwilling prey to became much like a relentless predator, shadowing Martin's every move and making him pay for every mistake.

The second game -- like the first -- was intense, drawing dramatic response from the crowd, suddenly perched permanently on the edge of their seats.

There were eight ties in the game filled with ebb and flow, but again Zarak's willingness to throw himself about with reckless abandon earned him the game 15-12.

And as a tribute to his efforts, the mood in the stands began to drift from staunch Martin to pro-Zarak.

He rode this new found support for all it was worth in the third game, hanging close to Martin in the early and middle stages, before surging at the end.

From 10-10 Zarak ran off five straight points to claim the match 15-10.

"I really wanted this tournament,'' said a beaming Zarak, who dedicated the triumph to his newborn son. "I've been waiting a long time to win this tournament. It was like a dream to win and I beat a not so easy opponent, a difficult player and one of the best in the world.

"And I look forward to coming back to Bermuda and defending my title.'' Martin was gracious in defeat, admitting that Zarak was just better on the day.

"Well, he was obviously getting a lot of balls back. I was trying to play my shots and they just weren't sitting down enough, the balls weren't dying and my shots were sitting up for him to get them all back. He just kept running,'' said Martin.

Later he added: "It was his day.''