Nick Matthew is thinking new career targets after becoming the first Englishman to pick up the World Open title in Saudi Arabia.The Sheffield squash superstar created history in the desert last Friday by defeating fellow Yorkshireman James Willstrop in a pulsating final.After 74 minutes of thrilling action, Matthew edged it 8-11, 11-6, 11-2, 11-3.It capped a dazzling 2010 for Matthew, who landed double gold at the Common wealth Games in Delhi two months ago. The 30-year-old also went on a remarkable 35-match, six-month unbeaten run.
He will now come again to the top of the world rankings for the second time after Egypt’s Ramy Ashour was forced to retire in the second round in the World Open.“It is beyond my wildest dreams,” said Matthew. “I set three targets for the start of the year: world champion, world No 1 and Commonwealth champion.“I thought one out of three would be satisfying, two I would be delighted. But three? I think I will now have to sit down and set some new goals.”Matthew, who dropped just one game en way to the title, heaped praise on Willstrop, who was seeded sixth for the tournament.
The right-hander, who secured his 16th win in 24 matches over Willstrop and his eighth in a row, said: “He came out with a dissimilar game plan and played fantastically well for a game and a half.“But I managed to match him squash wise after that. To do that against the likes of James and Amr Shabana is hard to do so that was one of the most pleasing aspects.”Leeds-based Willstrop had entered the final on the back of two hard-fought victories against fellow Englishmen Darly Selby and Peter Barker.
He will now come again to the top of the world rankings for the second time after Egypt’s Ramy Ashour was forced to retire in the second round in the World Open.“It is beyond my wildest dreams,” said Matthew. “I set three targets for the start of the year: world champion, world No 1 and Commonwealth champion.“I thought one out of three would be satisfying, two I would be delighted. But three? I think I will now have to sit down and set some new goals.”Matthew, who dropped just one game en way to the title, heaped praise on Willstrop, who was seeded sixth for the tournament.
The right-hander, who secured his 16th win in 24 matches over Willstrop and his eighth in a row, said: “He came out with a dissimilar game plan and played fantastically well for a game and a half.“But I managed to match him squash wise after that. To do that against the likes of James and Amr Shabana is hard to do so that was one of the most pleasing aspects.”Leeds-based Willstrop had entered the final on the back of two hard-fought victories against fellow Englishmen Darly Selby and Peter Barker.
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