Gaultier and Massaro Claim 2017 British Open Titles by Sean Reuthe
photos PSA
March 26, 2017
- French World No.3 Gregory Gaultier and England’s World No.5 Laura
Massaro triumphed on finals day at the 2017 Allam British Open,
claiming respective wins over Nick Matthew and Sarah-Jane Perry at the
World Series tournament held in Hull’s Airco Arena.
Gaultier will become the oldest player ever to top the PSA World
Rankings next month after the 34-year-old recovered from a game down to
beat Matthew, capturing his third British Open crown in the process.
Gaultier, who also lifted the sport’s oldest and most established title
in 2007 and 2014, will overtake Egypt’s Mohamed ElShorbagy at the
summit of the World Rankings and, at 34 years and three months, he
eclipses the record of Women’s former World No.1 Sarah-Fitz Gerald by a
month after a 8-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-3 victory saw him take the iconic
title.
"It was a massive day for me," said Gaultier.
"I only found out a few days ago that there were three of us who could
get to No.1. I wasn't thinking about that during the week, I was
focusing on playing well and executing my tactics.
"I had a great week and a great feeling on court, I was moving well and
to be number one as well again at my age is an amazing feeling - it's
pure pleasure."
In the Women’s event, Massaro became the first Englishwoman since Janet
Morgan in 1951 to lift the prestigious Allam British Open title on two
occasions after she saw off Perry in four games.
Massaro, the 2013 champion, and Perry were contesting the first female
all-English British Open final since Lisa Opie and Sue Wright in 1991
after they achieved respective semi-final wins over defending champion
Nour El Sherbini and five-time winner Nicol David.
And it was 33-year-old Massaro who imposed her game plan on the
encounter to seal the win by an 11-8, 11-8, 6-11, 11-6 scoreline.
“It’s just unbelievable,” said Massaro, who will move up to World No.2 in next month's rankings.
“When I won the British Open for the first time I was so happy. There
was a little bit more pressure coming into today as I beat Nicol, who
was World No.1, for my first title and at the time there was absolutely
no pressure on me.
“I’m proud of myself for the week and for bouncing back because this
has probably not been my best season. I’m just happy I managed to tough
it out in the end and keep getting balls back and it paid off. It’s a
little bit different because the first one was so special."
Result - Final: 2017 Men’s Allam British Open
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [4] Nick Matthew (ENG) 3-1: 8-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-3 (67m)
Result - Final: 2017 Women’s Allam British Open
[5] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [7] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) 3-1: 11-8, 11-8, 6-11, 11-6 (55m)
