England’s
Nick Matthew has become the all time most successful British
squash player by winning his record seventh national title
in Manchester.
Matthew surpasses his own and Cassie Jackman’s previous
record of six National Championship wins.
It was a relatively
straight forward victory for Matthew who outpowered Essex’s
Daryl Selby 11/5, 11/3, 11/2 at the National Squash Centre
in Manchester.
Matthew
(right)said: “It was a massive goal of mine to break the
record, I've learnt a lot from the names on the trophy both
men and women. I watched Cassie (Jackman) train when I was
growing up so it means a lot to me to break the record.
“Daryl’s never beaten so I had to keep going even at 8-1 up
in the final game I had to block out my emotion and stay
focused.
“The win has made me feel young again, I’m always striving
to improve and want to thank my team for helping me to keep
at the top,” added Matthew.
In
the women’s final Sarah-Jane Perry (left) stunned Laura
Massaro as she continued her giant killing run by beating
the world number 3 in a thrilling final in Manchester to
take her maiden National Squash Championship title 12/10,
11/9, 7/11, 10/12, 11/7 in 80 minutes.
Perry also beat the world number 5 Alison Waters by the same
3-2 in the semifinal to reach her first final.
“I've beaten two players that I've never beaten before back
to back and they are both in the top five in the world so
I’m pretty proud of myself,” exclaimed Perry.
It
was a close affair in the opening game as Massaro and Perry
traded points to reach a 10-10 tie break before the 24 year
old broke clear to take the game 12/10. The second game was
equally tight but Perry was able to push ahead and win the
critical points to take a 2-0 lead.
In trademark fashion Laura Massaro battled back to win the
next two games to draw level and take the match to a
decider.
However, Warwickshire’s Perry wasn't going to let the
opportunity slip and raced to a 9-5 lead in the final game
before taking a memorable win in front of a capacity crowd
at the National Squash Centre.
“I said to myself be confident, trust your skills and go get
it. I've had three five game matches in three days so it is
pretty tough but that’s what we train for. I’m off to
Toronto on Tuesday so not much time to celebrate!
“This is a very special achievement for me and hopefully it
won’t be my last title,” added Perry.
Reigning
champion Alison Waters suffered a shock defeat at the hands
of world number 16 Sarah-Jane Perry (right)in today’s semi
final match at the 2015 National Squash Championships.
Warwickshire’s Perry took a 2-1 lead
against the in-form Waters in a feisty battle between the
pair. Waters, the world number 5, battled back to 2-2 and
even had match ball at 10/9 in the fifth but in a quick
twist of fate it was Perry who clinched the match on a
stroke decision to claim her spot in her first ever National
Championship final 8/11, 11/7, 13/11, 6/11, 12/10.
“It was a bit of a weird one in the end, she had match ball
and then it was a bit of a harsh decision to give the stroke
but I’m ecstatic to reach the final,” commented Perry.
“I played really well and I stepped it up a bit today and I
think I’ll need to again tomorrow. I've never beaten Laura
before so I will have to be on top form,” added the 24 year
old.
It
was a more straight forward affair for two time national
champion Laura Massaro (left) who opened proceedings at the
National Squash Centre with a 11/4, 11/7, 11/8 victory over
Victoria Lust.
The 31 year old said: “I don’t think Victoria played as well
as she can do today. I've put myself in a position where I’m
in another final and you never know what can happen then.
There are a lot of exciting younger players coming through
to keep us on our toes. I feel hungry for the title this
year and I’m looking forward to finals day, it’s always a
great atmosphere in Manchester.”
In
the men’s event Daryl Selby (right) blamed ‘mental weakness’
for a slow start in the first men’s semi final of the day.
Adrian Waller raced to a 11/4, 11/5 lead before Selby, the
2011 champion regrouped and pulled the match back into his
favour to win in five.
Speaking afterwards Selby said: "At 2-0 down it wasn't
looking good, mentally I was fragile. I haven't seen my
little boy much over the past month and spending a night at
home with him seemed more appealing to be honest. That's a
bad thing to say as a professional squash player, my dad
told me after the second game that my son Noah wouldn't want
me to lose 3-0 so I pulled myself together and started
playing a lot better.
“I don't want to take anything away from Adrian because he
was awesome in the first two games, I obviously just need to
go away and work on my mental side with someone!" added
Selby.
Selby
will meet six time national champion Nick Matthew (right) in
the men’s final after the Yorkshireman dispatched Guernsey’s
Chris Simpson 11/9, 11/8, 11/6.
“He kept fighting back, but I got there in the end. Good to
see so many youngsters coming through this week with four
brand new semi finalists,” said Matthew.
The event run in conjunction with Manchester City Council
also welcomes over a thousand of Manchester’s school
children to the National Squash Centre as part of the
event’s legacy programme. Children will have the chance to
experience live squash, meet the players and take part in
mini-squash activities.
Former
world champion Laura Massaro (right) survived a scare from
the up and coming Emily Whitlock to reach the semi finals of
the National Squash Championships in Manchester.
20 year old Whitlock nicked the first game at the National
Squash Centre 13/11 before Massaro crept back to draw level.
In the third game Massaro lead 8-6 before Whitlock used her
speed and precision to take a surprising 2-1 lead.
Massaro regrouped and managed to find her form to recover
the next two games and the match to book her spot in the
semi finals with an 11/13, 12/10, 9/11, 11/2, 11/4 victory.
“After I went 2-1 down I just thought you're going to lose
here so you might as well just go for it. So I pushed up the
court and really tried to volley everything, which was a
dangerous tactic but it worked,” Massaro explained.
"I have to remind myself before I go on that I've won this
trophy twice before, I have a World Championship title and
I've won the British Open, so really the pressure is off and
anything else is just a bonus.
"It's
always tough against Emily as I was coached by her dad for
two years so I feel like they know my weaknesses and I know
hers!” added 31 year old Massaro.
Massaro will face Bedfordshire’s Victoria Lust (left) who
caused an upset in the first match of the day with a win
over seasoned professional Madeline Perry.
There was almost a giant killing in the last women’s quarter
final with the relatively unknown Fiona Moverley pushing
Sarah-Jane Perry to a deciding fifth game only to lose out
11/8.
Hull based Moverley said: “I’m proud of my performance, I
was so excited to be out there, my first time on the glass
court and my first time in the quarter finals. I was just
looking to enjoy it. It was a great win yesterday and I was
hoping to have a similar performance which I thought I did
by pushing her right to the very end.
“After
four years away from the tour I’m looking to challenge
again, my highest ranking was 43 so I want to better that.
Hopefully get into the top 20 or top 10” added Moverley.
Alison Waters (right) is seeded to meet Massaro in the final
but had to be in top form to beat a spirited Jenny Duncalf
12/10, 11/5, 11/9.
In the men’s event Nick Matthew is still on course for a
record seventh national title as he defeated the last
remaining Scottish challenger, Alan Clyne 11/4, 11/6, 11/4.
“Hopefully everyone comes back tomorrow for a nice romantic
Valentine’s Day at the squash,” joked Matthew afterwards.
Matthew will face Guernsey’s Chris Simpson after he beat
Surrey’s Joe Lee 11/8, 11/3, 11/5.
In
the other half of the draw Daryl Selby (left) was pleased to
make the semi final stages after a win against his teammate
Tom Richards, “I’m delighted to win. It’s a pity that James
(Willstrop) is missing, but that doesn’t make it easier for
me. I’ll have to be 100% focused,” Daryl said.
Selby will face Adrian Waller who defeated 23 year old
Charles Sharpes 11/3, 11/3 11/6.
The event run in conjunction with Manchester City Council
also welcomes over a thousand of Manchester’s school
children to the National Squash Centre as part of the
event’s legacy programme. Children will have the chance to
experience live squash, meet the players and take part in
mini-squash activities.
Defending champion Alison Waters eyes up
fifth national title
Defending
champion Alison Waters is through to the quarter finals of
the National Squash Championships in Manchester after a
convincing 11/4, 11/1, 11/3 win against Lucy Beecroft.
Waters is
seeded to meet rival and world number three Laura Massaro,
who also had a comfortable victory, in Sunday’s final.
“I've already won four national titles but I’d love to get
my hands on it for a fifth time,” said Waters.
The men’s
draw has been thrown wide open after the number two seed,
James Willstrop, withdrew from the tournament due to injury.
Nick
Matthew (right) continues the hunt for a record seventh
title after a 11/3, 11/9, 11/5 win against the up and coming
Declan James.
Speaking
afterwards Matthew said: “Declan is a good friend and we
train a lot together so I had to be on my game. I really do
feel for James (Willstrop) but I have to focus on my own
job, there’s a lot of banana skins out there.”
Elsewhere
the majority of results also went to seeding as the 2011
National Champion Daryl Selby also reached the quarter final
stages.
However,
there was an upset in the women’s draw as world number 92,
Yorkshire’s Fiona Moverley (left), beat Sarah Kippax 3-2
after a dramatic final game.
Kippax
ranked 73 places higher than her opponent was unable to
capitalise on a strong start and despite leading 2-1 was
pegged back as the 28 year old took a shock victory.
It was a
more straight forward affair for Sarah Jane Perry, Emily
Whitlock and Jenny Duncalf who all recorded wins.
The event
run in conjunction with Manchester City Council also
welcomes over a thousand of Manchester’s school children to
the National Squash Centre as part of the event’s legacy
programme. Children will have the chance to experience live
squash, meet the players and take part in mini-squash
activities.
Nick Matthew starts fight for
record seventh title
England’s
Nick Matthew (right) has successfully started his campaign
to win a record seventh national title with a victory as the
National Squash Championships got underway in Manchester
today.
17 year old qualifier Patrick
Rooney from Merseyside had a dream tie against the three
time world champion and the youngster certainly made the
most of his chance on the all glass court at the National
Squash Centre.
“It was good to see a young
player playing so well on the glass court, he’s got a good
head on his shoulders. The Nationals are a great opportunity
for younger players to make a name for themselves,” said
Matthew.
Despite a strong start from
Rooney the Yorkshireman capitalised on his experience and
pace as he defeated the plucky teenager 11/5, 11/2, 11/2.
“Everyone saw the strength of
British squash at the Commonwealth Games so I need to stay
on my toes. I love the venue and court so I’m feeling
good,” added Matthew.
Elsewhere
Daryl Selby and James Willstrop (left) both survived scares
from lower ranked opposition. Willstrop, who was making his
first appearance in Manchester since undergoing a hip
operation, squeezed past Devon’s Lyell Fuller 3-2 after a
slow start.
“It was tough but I am fit to
play, otherwise I wouldn't be here,” explained Willstrop.
Scotland’s number one Alan
Clyne also made it through to the second round after a close
encounter against the resilient Ashley Davies, a player
ranked 125 places below the Scot.
The event run in conjunction
with Manchester City Council also welcomes over a thousand
of Manchester’s school children to the National Squash
Centre as part of the event’s legacy programme. Children
will have the chance to experience live squash, meet the
players and take part in mini-squash activities.
The women’s event gets
underway tomorrow with Laura Massaro and Alison Waters both
in action.
Preview
The National Squash Championships are back in Manchester
where the best of British will battle it out to become
National Champions. Hot on the heels of England’s superstars
Nick Matthew and Laura Massaro are the next generation of
British players, hoping to dethrone the King and Queen of
English squash.
Watch
and meet the talented youngsters in Manchester including
Emily Whitlock, George Parker, Adrian Waller, Victoria
Temple-Murray (biographies attached) as they play
alongside and challenge England's world champions Nick
Matthew and Laura Massaro plus Commonwealth medalists
Peter Barker, Alison Waters and Daryl Selby for the
national title. Also,
meet the oldest and youngest competitor, 17 year old
Mari Taylor and 80 year old Malcolm Gilham as the
Masters commence their National title challenge. Schedule
is as follows:Wed
11 Feb: Men's Round One from
12pmThur
12 Feb: Men's Round Two and
Women's Round One from 12pmFri
13 Feb: Quarter finals from
12pmSat
14 Feb: Semi finals from 12pmSun
15 Feb: Finals from 2pm
British National Squash Championships,
Masters
National Squash Centre, Sportcity,
Manchester
