Matthew Masterclass Inflicts Misery On Willstrop In British Grand Prix Final by Nathan Clarke
photos PSA
December 5, 2016 -
36-year-old Nick Matthew proved that their is still life in the old dog
as he produced a masterclass performance to inflict an 19th consecutive
defeat on perennial rival James Willstrop and win the final of the 2016
AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix - his first title win in 18 months.
In the latest instalment of a rivalry dating back to 2001, which has
seen the pair clash almost 60 times altogether, it was Matthew who
proved his domestic supremacy once again with a spirited and tactically
astute display that saw him break Willstrop down physically throughout
the 51 minute 11-7, 12-10, 11-4 win.
The Sheffield-man, known on tour as the 'Wolf', started strongly to
take the opening game and then showed the grit and determination that
has epitomised his career as he snarled his teeth to withstand an
onslaught from 33-year-old Willstrop and take the second game tie-break
- setting up the platform to complete the victory and lift the 34th PSA
World Tour title of his career.
"We've played an incredible number of matches - big tournament matches
in semi-final or finals - against each other and today was another so
I'm just delighted to have come out on top," said Matthew.
“A lot has been said about our rivalry but there is a tremendous
admiration for what both of us do on the court. Off the court as well
in the way we prepare, we couldn’t be two more different people but
that leads to some unbelievable matches.
"It wasn't easy at any stage today and it could have been very
different. In that second game he showed how good he was and I was
lucky to get that game. I knew I had to just push through and I'm
really pleased to back it up."
The three-time World Champion's career has at times stuttered since his
last title success, at the 2015 Canary Wharf Classic, with injuries
hampering his opportunity to win more silverware. And despite starting
the 2016/17 season with a shock first round defeat at the NetSuite
Open, he rekindled some of the finest form of his career on home soil
in Manchetser to end the year on a high.
"There's been a lot of soul-searching and times when I wasn't sure if I
could cut it at the top anymore, so there was a lot of emotion that
came out at the end tonight," he added.
"All that behind the scenes work, the work of the team that have been
on that journey with me and the sacrifices that everyone makes as part
of that melting pot are what comes out. I'm happy to be playing but to
know that I can still produce it and get over the line is an incredible
feeling.
“One minute I’m planning my retirement party, the next minute I want to
play for five more years, so the truth is probably somewhere in between.
“There were times where I thought this might be my last year but I
definitely have plans to finish this season and take it from there. I
would dearly, dearly love to play in one more commonwealth games and of
course the Worlds in Manchester next year.
On the final Willstrop said: "I just wish I could have given him more of a match.
"But I have to salute him. I gave everything there but he was too good,
and too accurate - I couldn't get him out of position. People talk
about his age but he's as good as he was six years ago when we were
playing finals."
Result - Final: 2016 AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [6] James Willstrop (ENG) 3-0: 11-7, 12-10, 11-4 (51m)
