Veteran Matthew’s master-class of pace and precision sinks world No.1 Elshorbagy
By NATHAN CLARKE in Chicago
England’s Nick Matthew produced a squash masterclass to see off World No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy 3-0 to win the final of the 2015 Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners and EquiTrust Life Insurance Company in Chicago earlier today.
The victory sees Matthew, 34, become the oldest-ever winner of a PSA World Series event and also sees him collect his 32nd career title. It was his first PSA World Series trophy since winning the 2013 Hong Kong Open.
The Sheffield-based Matthew played with precision and determination from the opening point as he dominated proceedings, absorbing everything the powerful Egyptian threw at him to secure the title 11-7, 11-2, 11-7 in 62-minutes, with the opening game alone taking 27 minutes.
“You always go into a match with a game plan but it’s another thing being able to execute it against someone like Mohamed because he plays at such a fast pace and takes away your thinking time,” said Matthew.
“But I felt I played well when under pressure today. I was patient and picked my times to attack well and I’m just delighted to get another World Series win.”
In a display of ultimate precision, the three-time World Champion made just two errors throughout the entire match as he kept up a relentless pace to win his second PSA tournament inside a month, adding to the CASE Swedish Open he collected in February, plus his seventh British National Championship in Manchester.
“I’m really enjoying my squash at the minute,” he said. “I guess I’m in the twilight of my career – the end is closer than the beginning – but I managed to take my chance tonight against someone who has been in incredible form recently.
“I’m sure we’re going to have a few more battles to come before I retire and hopefully I can come back here next year to defend the title.”
2015 Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners and EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, University Club of Chicago, USA
Final
[4] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) 3-0: 11-7, 11-2, 11-7 (62m)
Picture by MARIAN KRAUS