Barker And Matthew Win Chicago's Battle Of Brits by Nathan Clarke
photos PSA
March 1, 2015 -
World No.3 Nick Matthew and Peter Barker, the World No.8, emerged
triumphant during their second round encounters with fellow Englishmen
Daryl Selby and James Willstrop during a 'Battle of Brits' at the 2015
Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners and EquiTrust Life
Insurance Company in Chicago.
Essex-based Barker ensured his place in the quarter-finals with a
hard-fought 3-2 victory over former World No.1 Willstrop in what was a
brutally physical 81-minute back-and-forth battle.
Having got off to a superb start by winning the opening game courtesy
of some perfectly placed winners, Barker then found himself struggling
to shake off Willstrop as the 6'4" man continued his comeback following
a five month injury lay-off with a spirited performance.
But in the deciding game the relentless high intensity and pace began
to take its toll on Willstrop and despite saving one match ball he
couldn’t prevent Barker from completing an 11-6, 9-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-6
win – only his second ever PSA World Tour victor over the man from
Yorkshire.
“James has been out of action for a while and he’s getting better and
better with each week and even though it was a bit scrappy at times
today, I’ll take that win with both hands,” said Barker.
“Although on paper I’m the higher seed, James is a former World No.1 so
it certainly wasn’t going to be an easy match and with him coming back
I tried to make it very physical out there.
“I’ve had more match practice in the last few months than he has and I
think that ultimately made the difference in the end today.”
Barker will now face Willstrop's long-time domestic rival Matthew, the
three-time World Champion from Sheffield, in the last eight after he
put in an assured performance against World No.17 Selby.
Matthew started slowly but managed to up his levels and use his
physical attributes to keep himself in a series of punishing rallies
and his trademark determination paid dividends as he sealed an 11-8,
11-9, 11-9 win.
"I think tactically we were both up and down and made errors at
important times and I was lucky to escape in three games," said Matthew.
"I was disappointed that I didn't make the most of early advantages in
the games today so there's definitely a few things to work on ahead of
the quarters tomorrow."
There were also wins for Egyptian Omar Mosaad and French World No.2
Gregory Gaultier as the second round came to a close at the prestigious
setting inside the University Club of Chicago.
