Matthew Continues Quest for Fourth British Open Title
by Scarlett Smith
May 20, 2013 - Squash’s world number two Nick Matthew continued his quest to secure a fourth British Open title with a convincing victory over Henrik Mustonen at the KC Stadium in Hull today (Monday, May 20th).
The Yorkshireman will now face Laurens Jan Anjema from the Netherlands in the second round of the contest after beating the Mustonen in 31 minutes, 11/8, 11/7, 11/3.
Qualifier Mustonen came out fighting in the early games, forcing the defending champion to make a series of basic errors.
But the omnipresent Brit began to own the court as the match progressed and by the third game had begun a clinical assault on his valiant Finish challenger.
Matthew first triumphed at the contest in 2006 and went on to reclaim the title in 2009. Last year he took top prize for a third time in an action-packed final against current world number one Ramy Ashour at the 02 Arena, at the inaugural running of the Allam British Open.
Speaking after the match he paid tribute to his opponent.
“He came out to win, full credit to him for that” Matthew said.
He added that it was “amazing” to be playing in his home county.
He said: “I’m so pleased to be here and hopefully have a lot of local support.”
Elsewhere fellow Englishman and number seven seed, Peter Barker, sailed to victory against Egyptian Mohd Ali Anwar Reda in match lasting 47 minutes.
Although Ali Anwar Reda achieved game ball early on Barker saw him off 10/12, 9/11, 4/11 with some tight and accurate hitting that allowed the Brit to dominate the latter stages of the match.
A pleased Barker said afterwards: “I felt that I started a little slowly but improved as the match went on.”
Matthew’s second round opponent Laurens Jan Anjema started at high tempo against Ryan Cuskelly which seemed to catch the Australian by surprise as the Dutchman raced into a 2 game lead. Cuskelly slowed down the pace effectively in the third to pull one back but Anjema steadied himself and regained the momentum to take the match 3-1.
Anjema was also complimentary about the event, “It’s beautiful venue, really cool to be playing in a football stadium.”
Saurav Ghosal proved too strong for qualifier Jonathan Kemp in the opening match of the 2013 Allam British Open at the KC Stadium.
The game was played at a frantic pace with Kemp going for some spectacular shots but finding it difficult to out maneuver his quick opponent.
Commenting after the match the Indian number one said: “Happy to win 3-0 after a close match against a very talented and dangerous Jonathan Kemp today definitely some fast & furious points on there!”
The all-Egyptian affair between Tarek Momen and Marwan El Shorbagy was a typically attacking match with both players exchanging daring shots in the opening stages. The pair went shot for shot with Momen just edging the first two games 11/9 before running away with the third 11/4 in a match that lasted just short of half an hour.
Commenting on the set-up Momen enthused: “I really like the court in the middle of a football stadium!”
Former British Open Champion Gregory Gaultier started his 2013 campaign with an excellent win against Alistair Walker.
The Frenchman looked in sharp form as he dispatched Walker in straight games, 11/6, 11/9, 11/1. Gaultier attacked throughout and dominated the middle well much to his opponent’s frustration although the score line does not quite reflect how close some of the rallies were.
Afterwards Gaultier commented: “It was a really tough first few games played at a good pace. I’m happy to get the win and would really like to win the tournament again although it is so tough at the moment with so many quality players.”
England’s Daryl Selby made his way through to the second round in a tough game against Finland’s Olli Tuominen, the two were neck and neck in the first at 5-5 before a surge of attacking play by Selby took him to a 10-5 lead before he closed the game out 11/6.
The second was closer with both players attacking to take the game to 8-8, Daryl ups the pace and plays a super back hand drop to take him to 10-8 before taking the second 11/9.
Olli starts the third promisingly securing a swift 5-0 lead, Daryl quickly refocuses and levels at 5-5. The Fin is not going to be beaten easily though and a few unforced errors for Daryl gives Tuominen two game balls but Selby wants it over in three and manages to sneak a 13/11 win and take the match in three.
In the last game of the day Karim Darwish, who missed last year’s event, looked in good form as he sailed past compatriot and qualifier Andrew Wagih in just under thirty minutes.
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