World No1 Matthew To Defend Australian Open Title by Howard Harding
May 10, 2011
-World number one Nick Matthew will return to Canberra in August to
defend his Australian Open squash title, organisers have confirmed.
The 30-year-old Englishman beat Egypt's world number two Ramy Ashour in
a superb final to claim the 2010 Australian Open in front of a packed
crowd at Canberra's Royal Theatre.
Matthew followed his success in Canberra with wins at the Commonwealth
Games, the World Open and the PSA Masters to stamp his authority on the
men's game.
The Yorkshireman has started 2011 in top form, claiming three titles
including the Swedish Open and the Canary Wharf Classic in London.
Matthew will be joined in Canberra by the dynamic 21-year-old Ashour as the pair look to continue their absorbing rivalry.
Ashour beat Matthew at the Tournament of Champions in New York in
January, only for Matthew to reverse the result the following month at
the North American Open.
"We are delighted to welcome Nick and Ramy back for this year's Australian Open," tournament director Gary Hampson said.
"The final last year was truly memorable, with Nick able to withstand
everything that Ramy threw at him, and if they meet in the 2011 final I
am sure we will witness an equally exciting match."
The next six ranked men have also confirmed their entries for this
year's tournament - confirming its status as one of world squash's most
important events.
The Australian Open, the third PSA World Series event of the year, will
be held on the all-glass court at Canberra's Royal Theatre from August
8-14.