Thursday, March 28, 2024

Imperious Gaultier too hot for below-par Matthew

French ace steam-rollers Nick to secure second British Open crown
By LEE HORTON – Squash Mad Chief Reporter

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French World No.1 Gregory Gaultier took just 45 minutes to put world champion Nick Matthew to the sword as he claimed the 2014 Allam British Open Squash Championship title in Hull today.

Gaultier, who became the first ever French winner of the prestigious title when he lifted the trophy in 2007, was in imperious form as he reeled off the 11-3, 11-6, 11-2 victory. Matthew made no excuses but it was clear his Marathon 104-minutes semi-final battle with Mohamed El Shorbagy on Saturday had ripped the heart out of his challenge. 

It was a sweet victory for the man from Aix En Provence who lost out to Matthew on their last three outings on the PSA World Tour, including a dramatic defeat in the final of the 2013 World Championship in Manchester last November.

“To win this title is an unbelievable feeling,” said Gaultier. “You dream of these moments when you are a child and you work so hard for them so to see them come true is amazing.

“I have played a lot of finals during my career and been the person who does not lift the trophy so I’m really happy to win this time.

“It’s been a great week and I feel like I have played well throughout the tournament – I came here with a lot of motivation and I was fresh and I’m really happy to win this famous trophy.”

Speaking after the match, Sheffield’s Matthew said: “I felt really good today so there were no excuses.Sometimes you just come up against people who were too good on the day and that was the case with Greg today.”

Title sponsor Dr. Allam who has had a busy weekend of sport having watched his Hull City side narrowly miss out to Arsenal in Saturday’s FA cup final said: “This is the third year of my title sponsorship, I’m pleased to have it here it Hull. I’m proud to say that we are the first sport from this area to start the process for equal prize money for men and women in squash. I look forward to more involvement in maintaining squash in Hull at the highest level.”

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TODAY at the British Open – the FINALS

 

Pictures by SquashPics.com and Steve Cubbins (SquashSite)

 

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