By ALAN THATCHER
Gregory Gaultier of France overwhelmed England’s Nick Matthew to win the US Open men’s title.
A rampant Gaultier triumphed 11-4, 11-5, 11-5 in 51 minutes, 33 minutes shorter than the women’s final which had preceded it.
Gaultier dominated throughout, producing a result that illustrates the passage of power at the top of the men’s game.
With world champion Ramy Ashour absent from Philadelphia, Gaultier took advantage to prove that he is the second-best squash player on the planet on current form.
Not many players can produce three consecutive games of controlled, attacking squash against a fiercely determined opponent like Matthew, but that’s what Gaultier achieved this evening.
The packed Drexel crowd, having witnessed a women’s final that could have gone either way, were stunned by the Frenchman’s control.
Matthew, having demonstrated his domestic dominance over James Willstrop in the semi-final, simply ran out of ideas in this deciding contest.
“It’s amazing,” said a delighted Gaultier. “The last time I won this was 2006 so to win it again here in this great venue is like a dream.
“I gave 500% today, I tried to play fast and use a lot of variation as he’s so strong in the middle of the court.
“For me it’s my fifth tournament in a row, Nick has only just started after five months off, so I have the matches in my legs—maybe that was the difference tonight. I’m sure he’ll come back strong, maybe we can have another match in the World Open final next week!
“The sponsors, the organization and the venue here are all fantastic, and they’re doing great things in helping to raise the women’s game too.”Â
Afterwards, Nick said:” Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say that despite giving it everything you were beaten by the better player.”
