Canary Wharf Classic 2011


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ISS CANARY WHARF
SQUASH CLASSIC
21st - 25th
March 2011
 

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Alan Thatcher Reports
Matthew Masters Barker To Retain ISS Canary Wharf Classic Title


World champion Nick Matthew retained his ISS Canary Wharf Classic title last night by overcoming a fierce challenge from No.4 seed Peter Barker.
Matthew, the 30-year-old world No.1 from Sheffield, fought back after losing the opening game to win 5-11, 11-4, 11-1, 11-3.

Both players were forced into some gut-wrenching retrievals to keep in play some spectacular attacking shots from each other.

Barker, buoyed by his first-ever career victory over No.2 seed James Willstrop the previous evening, started in positive fashion.

He looked focused and disciplined as he constructed tight rallies that presented serious problems for the top seed.

Londoner Barker took the opening game 11-5 and his home supporters in the sell-out crowd at the East Wintergarden were hoping for another shock victory.

However, Matthew responded in devastating fashion, demonstrating exactly why he has been the dominant player in world squash for the past year.

He powered ahead in the second game, and, as the challenge from Barker faded, he took complete control to clinch victory in 58 minutes of entertaining squash.

Barker, despite doing most of the chasing, refused to give up and launched himself into some massive diagonal runs as Matthew powered winners into the four corners of the court.

Matthew said: “Peter started very well and it took me a while to get into the match and start moving properly. But I was pleased with the way I played and I hope the crowd enjoyed the match, despite me beating the home favourite.

“This is one of the best tournaments in the world and all of the players love coming to Canary Wharf. Next year is a big year for sport in London and I hope it’s not too late for the IOC to change their mind about having squash in the Olympics.”

Matthew was impressed by the success of the Video Replay trial organised by the PSA that enabled players to direct an appeal a TV judge, who was able to study replays of any controversial incident before making a decision that flashed up on the huge screen above the front wall of the glass court.

He said: “I think it worked well. There were one or two tweaks by the end of the week and allowing one appeal per game, plus one in the tiebreak, was the right number.

“It cut out the arguments between players and referees and helped the crowd to get involved in the whole process.”

Runner-up Barker said: “I started well but Nick showed what a great player he is by the way he came back. Overall I have to be happy with the whole week and I need to start reaching more finals like this.”

Before the match, Welsh international Jethro Binns entertained the sell-out crowd with some amazing trick shots while balancing on a giant Swiss medicine ball.

 


 

Nick Matthew avenges last months
Nationals final defeat by
beating Daryl Selby in 4 games

Qualifier Matthew Karwalski puts up a terrific fight against Joey Barrington before going down in 5 games

Daryl Selby eventually wins on his 13th match ball after a magnificent fightback  from Tom Richards


 . Draw
 . Reports


Alan Thatcher
 . Qualifying Reports
 .
Previews





Nick Matthew retains his Canary Wharf title, beating Peter Barker 3-1 in the Final


Peter Barker beats James Willstrop for the first time ever on the PSA tour... after 12 defeats



Nick Matthew defeats Gregory Gaultier after the Frenchman retires at 1-1

ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic
21-25 March 2011, $50k

 
First Round
March 21/22
Quarters
March 23
Semis
March 24
Final
March 25
[1] Nick Matthew (Eng)
11-8, 11-2, 11-8 (47 mins)
Borja Golan (Esp)
Nick Matthew
11-1, 12-10, 7-11, 11-5 (71 mins)
Daryl Selby
Nick Matthew
8-11, 11-5 retired (31 mins)
Grégory Gaultier
Nick Matthew
5-11, 11-4, 11-1, 11-3 (58 mins)
Peter Barker
Tom Richards (Eng)
11-13, 11-9, 11-7, 14-16, 11-9 (97 mins)
Daryl Selby (Eng)
Simon Rosner (Ger)
11-8, 7-11, 11-3, 11-4 (53 mins)
Chris Ryder (Eng)
Simon Rosner
11-7, 11-7, 11-6 (52 mins)
Grégory Gaultier
Olli Tuominen (Fin)
11-8, 11-6, 11-4 (42 mins)
[3] Grégory Gaultier (Fra)
[4] Peter Barker (Eng)
11-4, 11-8, 11-7 (74 mins)
(Q) Robbie Temple (ENG)
Peter Barker
8-11, 11-4, 11-7, 17-15 (88 mins)
Stewart Boswell
Peter Barker
14-16, 11-1, 11-7, 11-8 (77 mins)
James Willstrop
(Q) Henrik Mustonen (FIN)
11-3, 11-2, 11-3 (22 mins)
Stewart Boswell (Aus)
Joey Barrington (Eng)
11-7, 10-12, 11-8, 7-11, 11-4 (68 mins)
(Q) Matthew Karwalski (AUS)
Joey Barrington
13-11, 11-5, 14-12 (44 mins)
James Willstrop
(Q) Charles Sharpes (ENG)
11-5, 11-9, 11-5 (26 mins)
[2] James Willstrop

Qualifying:

Qualifying at Wimbledon rackets & fitness club, 19th-20th March

Joey Barrington (Eng), Karim Abdel Gawad (Egy), Chris Simpson (Eng), Campbell Grayson (Nzl), Adrian Waller (Eng), Max Lee (Hkg), Henrik Mustonen (Fin), Davide Bianchetti (Ita), Robbie Temple (Eng), Laurence Delasaux (Eng), Eddie Charlton (Eng), Matthew Karwalski (Aus) Jaymie Haycocks (Eng), Jon Harford (Eng), Ben Ford (Eng), Charles Sharpes (Eng)

 

Alan Thatcher Reports:


Barker Breaks His Duck Against Willstrop To Reach Cassic Canary Wharf Final

World No.7 Peter Barker finally broke his long losing run against England team-mate James Willstrop to reach the final of the ISS Canary Wharf Classic against world champion Nick Matthew

Top seed Matthew received a walk-over into the final when his opponent Gregory Gaultier quit through illness with the score at one game each.

Matthew admitted he felt deflated at winning in such an unfortunate fashion, but No.4 seed Barker was delighted to break his duck in front of a full-house crowd at the spectacular East Wintergarden venue.

The 27-year-old Londoner had lost to No.2 seed Willstrop on every occasion they had played throughout their junior and professional careers, so achieving a maiden victory in front of his home crowd tasted even sweeter.

Barker said: "I had a game plan tonight, but I have had a game plan against James since the age of ten and I'm very pleased that it finally paid off, 17 years later."

As his mother cried tears of joy in the front row, Barker showed his respect for his opponent by saying: "I have played James for years, ever since our junior days, and never beaten him, so tonight is very special, especially as it's here in London, and at such a wonderful venue with a sell-out crowd every night.

"James is not only a great squash player but a great guy and I knew it would require a massive effort to beat him."

Barker revealed that he will now have to cancel plans to travel to France with his fiancee to celebrate his future mother-in-law's 60th birthday.

He added: "It's a shame to miss out on a lovely trip to Paris but I hope my girlfriend appreciates the fact that I have to go back to work tomorrow."

Barker was apologetic after breaking his racket on his leg after a momentous tiebreak at the end of the first game. "That was a mixture of adrenalin and stupidity," he said.

"I felt I should have won that first game and I had to quickly refocus for the second.”

Barker came out for the second with all guns blazing, and powered through 11-1 as Willstrop, a three-time Canary Wharf champion, began to look jaded.

The 6ft 4in Yorkshireman responded positively to lead 7-5 in the third game, but Barker hit back to win six points in a row to win it 11-7.

From 3-3 in the fourth game, Barker pushed ahead to 8-5. Again Willstrop fought back to level at 8-8, but the effort took its toll and Barker reeled off the final three points, with Willstrop conceding defeat with a weak shot down the middle of the court to concede a penalty point.

No.3 seed Gaultier was taken to hospital for a check-up after retiring against Matthew with a mystery virus.

Astonishingly, he had begun the match in superb style, moving ahead from 5-5 to win the opening game 11-5.

However, at 4-4 in the second game he seemed to be in obvious distress as Matthew took control and picked up a string of points in quick succession to win it 11-5.

Gaultier complained of feeling faint at courtside between games and, after being treated by a doctor and paramedics, he was taken to hospital for checks.

Matthew said: “Nobody likes to win a match like that. Apparently Greg was up all night feeling unwell so I find it amazing that he started the match playing such great squash. He made me look very average at times.

“At the moment I can’t begin to think about the final because my thoughts are with Greg. I just hope he’s OK.

The unlucky Gaultier had only recently returned to the PSA World Tour after suffering a hamstring injury in the World Open in Saudi Arabia in December.

GNAT’S THE WAY TO DO IT AS MATTHEW SWATS SELBY

World champion Nick Matthew led a trio of Englishmen into the semi-finals of the ISS Canary Wharf Classic – and then described his England team-mate Daryl Selby as a “giant gnat”.

Matthew gained revenge after losing to Selby in the final of the National Championships in Manchester last month, winning 11-1, 12-10, 7-11, 11-5 in 71 minutes of punishing squash.

He then said: “Daryl’s like a giant gnat.You keeping trying to swat him away but he keeps coming back. He is such a difficult player to play against and he’s beaten me in the past from 2-1 or two games down so I knew what to expect, even though he had been on court for 97 minutes last night in the first round.

“To be honest I would rather play him fresh. I won the first game 11-1 and I think Daryl was just getting the lactic acid out of his legs. After that it was a bit of a struggle and Daryl had me playing his type of game, working the ball up and down the side walls. I am very happy and relieved to be in the semi-finals.”

Matthew meets French ace Gregory Gaultier tonight (Thursday) at the East Wintergarden in a replay of last year’s final, when Matthew won his first Canary Wharf title.

Gaultier overcame battling German Simon Rosner 11-7, 11-7, 11-6 in 52 minutes of high-quality squash. Gaultier said: “I am so happy to be back playing after my injury at the World Open. I am feeling good and moving well. I just want to find a French chef somewhere in London tonight so I can have a decent meal before the final.”

Earlier, James Willstrop and Peter Barker set up an all-English semi-final in the bottom half of the draw by overcoming Stewart Boswell and Joey Barrington respectively.

Veteran Australian Boswell certainly made No.4 seed Barker work hard for his victory. The 32-year-old, who is based in Manchester with his squash-playing wife Vicky Botwright, won the opening game and kept Barker on court for 88 minutes before the Londoner triumphed 8-11, 11-4, 11-7, 17-15.

 Willstrop admitted he was guilty of some untidy play as he beat Barrington 13-11, 11-5, 14-12 in 44 minutes. “There are no easy games in this sport,” said Willstrop. “There were several scrappy passages and I was very pleased to win through.”

Both players were frequent users of the new TV appeal system being introduced by the PSA at Canary Wharf this year and Willstrop is a big fan of the initiative.

He added: “This is a very forward-looking move by the PSA and it brings us in line with many other sports where it is an integral part of the presentation. It really helps to get the crowd involved in the whole process and we have the perfect venue here at Canary Wharf with the giant screen above the front wall of the glass court.”

British squash champion Daryl Selby has another chance to topple world No.1 Nick Matthew when they meet in the quarter-finals of the ISS Canary Wharf Classic this evening (Wednesday).

Selby overcame Matthew in the final of the National Championships in Manchester last month but nearly blew his chance of joining him in the last eight at Canary Wharf.

He wasted 12 match balls in the fourth and fifth games before finally overcoming a massive fightback from rising Surrey star Tom Richards.

Selby eventually won 11-13, 11-9, 11-7, 14-16, 11-9 in 97 minutes of brutal combat.

His first match ball came at 10-7 in the fourth but Richards fought back to win the tiebreak 16-14.

Richards looked exhausted at the start of the final game and it looked all over as Selby led 10-3.

But Richards dug deep and won six points in a row as the crowd roared their encouragement.

He produced some stunning winners before Selby finally put the winning ball beyond his reach.

Selby, who is also the national racketball champion, said: “That was not exactly the ideal way to prepare to face the world champion the next day. That was total squash carnage out there.

“Tom is a very dangerous player and he showed in the recent North American Open that he is capable of hurting the top guys when he came very close to beating Ramy Ashour. The way he came back at the end was unbelievable.” 

Top seed Matthew launched his bid to retain the Canary Wharf title in solid style by overcoming Spanish No.1 Borja Golan in straight games.

The 30-year-old world No.1 from Sheffield won 11-8, 11-2, 11-8, producing an outstanding spell of form in the second game when he looked invincible.

No.3 seed Gregory Gaultier, runner-up to Matthew last year, overpowered Finnish No.1 Olli Tuominen in straight games to clinch a quarter-final clash with German No.1 Simon Rosner, who beat Leamington’s Chris Ryder in four games.

England have five representatives in the quarter-finals.No.2 seed James Willstrop from Leeds, a three-time champion at Canary Wharf, meets Joey Barrington, the world No.31 from Somerset. No.4 seed Peter Barker from London meets Australia’s Stewart Boswell.


England Under-19 champion Charles Sharpes was given a squash lesson by world No.4 James Willstrop in the first round of the ISS Canary Wharf Classic.

Willstrop, a three-time winner of the tournament, took just 26 minutes to complete a straight-games victory but the talented teenage qualifier impressed his opponent with a battling performance.

The 27-year-old Willstrop said: “I have known for some time that Charles is going to be a very good player. He has everything going for him in terms of shot-making ability and he didn’t look out of place on the glass court tonight.

“Obviously I have been playing on the pro circuit for a number of years and in a big rally I have the experience to do things that Charles is still learning. But this is a very successful era for English squash, with four players in the world top ten and plenty more following on behind.

“Some people are critical of our junior progress in England and asking where the next top players are coming from, but I certainly do not subscribe to that view. Charles is like a lot of English juniors who seem to mature slightly later than players from the Eastern countries.”

Sharpes was joined in the first round by another rising England player, Robbie Temple, who gave a good account of himself against No.4 seed Peter Barker.

The match was a historic encounter as it was the first to feature the new TV referee system which is on trial at Canary Wharf this week.

Barker won in straight games but the match took 74 minutes to complete following a delay caused by a number of the court lights going out after overheating.

There were six video reviews and they all went against Barker, who was philosophical when he said: “I have been an advocate of the system for a very long time.

"This is long overdue. Other sports are using the technology and making it part of the show and I am very pleased that this has come in. It needs to be speeded up a bit but it is definitely a step in the right direction for the sport.” And he joked: “It’s just a shame that Robbie’s Mum and Dad were doing the video reffing.”

Finnish qualifier Henrik Mustonen lasted just 22 minutes before falling to Australian tour veteran Stewart Boswell. But Matthew Karwalski, who has been training in Manchester with fellow Aussie Boswell for the past few weeks, kept Joey Barrington on court for 68 minutes before the Englishman triumphed 11-4 in the fifth game.

With Boswell in his corner, offering advice between games, Karwalski played some adventurous, attacking squash.

Barrington won the first game but Karwalski used the TV review system to good effect when he was game ball down at 10-9 in the second.

He was given a let but upon appeal the decision was overturned to give him a stroke to make it 10-10. He then struck a lucky nick in the back left corner to lead 11-10 and Barrington chopped a ball into the tin to make the match level at one game all.

Karwalski led 7-5 in the third after some tight drop shots but Barrington tightened up to win the game 11-8. However, the 25-year-old Australian powered through the fourth 11-6 to take the match the full distance.

Barrington opened up an early lead and maintained the momentum as Karwalski faded to book a quarter-final clash with Willstrop.

World champion Nick Matthew begins the defence of his Canary Wharf title this evening (Tuesday) as he tackles Spanish No.1 Borja Golan.

French No.3 seed Gregory Gaultier, who lost to Matthew in last year's final, meets Finnish No.1 Olli Tuominen.
 

Qualifying Reports

Qualifying Finals, Wimbledon Rackets and Fitness Club

Robbie Temple (England) beat Karim Abdel Gawad (Egypt) 11-8, 3-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11/7 (68mins)

Henrik Mustonen (Finland) beat Davide Bianchetti (Italy) 8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 13-11 (70 mins)

Matthew Karwalski (Australia) beat Campbell Grayson (NZ) 11-7, 12-10, 11-5 (37 mins)

Charles Sharpes (England) beat Max Lee (Hong Kong) 11-7, 8-11, 11-4, 11-5 (52 mins)

Sharpes Lands Dream Draw With Willstrop

British Under-19 champion Charles Sharpes powered through the qualifying competition to land a dream first round clash with No.2 seed James Willstrop in the ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic.

Londoner Sharpes produced a mature display to beat Max Lee of Hong Kong 11-7, 8-11, 11-4, 11-5 in 52 minutes of high-quality squash at his home base, Wimbledon Rackets and Fitness Club.

Lee revealed some superb volleys while beating Guernsey’s Chris Simpson the previous day. But Sharpes gave his opponent few opportunities to do the same as he stuck to a solid game plan with tight, low drives to the back corners throughout the match.

Sharpes, who was 19 in February, is looking forward to his second meeting this year with Willstrop, who has won the Canary Wharf title three times.

Sharpes said: “I played James in the National Championships in Manchester and the whole experience was a little overwhelming. But I am really looking forward to playing him on the glass court at Canary Wharf.

“It’s a great opportunity to show what I can do in such a special tournament and at a fantastic venue. I enjoy playing on the glass courts and hope I can give James a tougher match this time round. I was born in Bermondsey so I am hoping for some local support.”

Sharpes’ progress from the junior to senior ranks has produced two PSA World Tour titles in Denver and Jordan, and he thanked coaches Paul Carter at Potters Bar and Phil Rushworth at Wimbledon for guiding his development.

“It was great to get through the qualifying rounds here at Wimbledon. I have been a member here for seven years and I am grateful to the club coach, Phil, who has always been a mentor.

“Paul Carter has helped me enormously in making the transition from junior squash to the professional circuit and I have also had a lot of help and advice from the new national coach Chris Robertson.”

Joining Sharpes in tomorrow’s first round at the magnificent East Wintergarden venue at Canary Wharf are Matthew Karwalski (Australia), Henrik Mustonen (Finland) and Gloucester’s Robbie Temple, who is also based in London and coached by Peter Genever at Dolphin Square.

Like Sharpes, Temple faces a tough first round battle against another leading England international, Londoner Peter Barker, the No.4 seed.

First round draw (bottom half Monday; top half Tuesday):
[1] 
Nick Matthew (ENG) v Borja Golan (ESP)
Daryl Selby (ENG) v Tom Richards (ENG)
Simon Rosner (GER) v Chris Ryder (ENG)
[3] 
Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v Olli Tuominen (FIN)
[4] 
Peter Barker (ENG) v (Q) Robbie Temple (ENG)
Stewart Boswell (AUS) v (Q) Henrik Mustonen (FIN)
Joey Barrington (ENG) v (Q) Matthew Karwalski (AUS)
[2] 
James Willstrop (ENG) v (Q) Charles Sharpes
(ENG)
 

Qualifying competition first round at Wimbledon Rackets and Fitness Club.

Karim Abdel Gawad (Egypt) beat Eddie Charlton (England) 9-11, 12-10, 11-4, 11-8 (54 mins)

Robbie Temple (England) beat Rory Pennell (England) 11-5, 11-8, 12-10 (48 mins)

Davide Bianchetti (Italy) beat Ben Ford (England) 11-5, 11-6, 11-8 (44 mins)

Henrik Mustonen (Finland) beat Adrian Waller (England) 6-11, 11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6 (63 mins)

Campbell Grayson (NZ) beat Jonny Harford (England) 13-15,12-10, 11-7, 11-7 (67 mins)

Matthew Karwalski (Australia) beat Jamie Haycocks (England) 11-7, 11-9, 11-7 (30 mins)

Max Lee (Hong Kong) beat Chris Simpson (England) 11-9, 11-2, 11-8 (44 mins)

Charles looks sharp to down Delasaux in Canary Wharf qualifiers

British Under-19 champion Charles Sharpes is desperately keen to reach the first round of the ISS Canary Wharf Classic.

The 19-year-old from Surrey overcame Yorkshire's Laurence Delasaux to reach the qualifying finals against the stylish Max Lee from Hong Kong.

Sharpes said: "Laurence has been in the world top 16 so that has to be the best win of my career. He is such a good mate but you've got to forget about that on court and do the business.

"I was pleased that I managed to keep him in the back corners for a lot of the game as he is so dangerous at the front.

"I feel like I am getting stronger. I won my second PSA tournament last week and am learning all the time."

Sharpes faces a tough time against the stylish Lee, who produced a narray of dazzling winners to beat Guernsey's Chris Simpson in straight games

On a day when eight English players were knocked out of the competition, the only other home player to reach the qualifying finals was London-based Robbie Temple. He meets the hugely talented 19-year-old Egyptian Karim Abdel Gawad, who hit back after losing the first game to beat the more experienced Eddie Charlton. 

Alongside a draw full of promising youth, Italy's 34-year-old Davide Bianchetti overcame Kent's 35-year-old Silver Fox Ben Ford in straight games. Bianchetti now meets Finland's Henrik Mustonen, who won a marathon match against tall left-hander Adrian Waller.

New Zealand's Campbell Grayson beat Jonny Harford in the longest match of the day, a 67-minute battle featuring two tough tiebreaks, and his prize is a clash with Australian Matthew Karwalski, who beat Jamie Haycocks in the shortest match of the competition.

Only a handful of tickets are available for the first round of the main event on Monday. The rest of the week is sold out for a second year running in this highly-prized PSA World Tour event.

 

Sunday, qualifying finals:
3pm: Gawad v Temple
4pm: Bianchetti v Mustonen
5pm: Grayson v Karwalski
6pm: Sharpes v Lee.
 

Preview

Home Hero Matthew In Canary Wharf Classic Title Defence Bid

The ISS Canary Wharf Classic is heading for another sell-out next week as London squash fans flock to see world champion Nick Matthew bid to retain his title in the PSA World Tour International 50 event.

Matthew, the 30-year-old world No1 from Sheffield, won his first Canary Wharf title last year as he launched a momentous drive towards the top of the PSA rankings.

The Yorkshireman took over the world No1 spot in June 2010 and went on to win two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games before beating compatriot James Willstrop in the final of the World Open in Saudi Arabia in November to crown a magnificent year.

That match was a repeat of a phenomenal semi-final battle at Canary Wharf, a two-hour classic rated as one of the best matches in the history of the sport.

Co-promoter Peter Nicol is looking forward to a possible rematch. "That was a brutal battle," said former world champion Nicol. "Both players were playing well throughout the match but Nick got ahead in the fifth and the match finished with James lying injured in the back left corner after a huge dive to get the ball back.

"James had treatment on court but he was unable to finish the match. What a lot of people may not know is that Nick had two hours of treatment from the physio immediately after the match to help him get fit to play the final the next day."

The magic hands of Sylvan Richardson, a former member of Simply Red who is now on the medical staff of Liverpool Football Club, clearly worked wonders.

Matthew overcame French ace Gregory Gaultier in a superb final and the two are seeded to meet in the semi-finals next week.

Gaultier, the number three seed, is almost back to peak form on his return to action following an injury suffered in the World Open.

Both face difficult first round opponents. Matthew meets Spanish No1 Borja Golan, who is also back on court following a long injury lay-off, and Gaultier tackles the ultra-physical Finnish No1 Olli Tuominen.

If Matthew beats Golan, he meets the winner of the all-English battle between rising star Tom Richards and new British champion Daryl Selby, who beat Matthew in a shock result in last month's British National Championship final in Manchester.

Second seed Willstrop is scheduled to meet England team-mate Peter Barker in the semi-finals in the bottom half of the draw.

Wild card Joe Lee, from Surrey, has withdrawn because of a back injury and his place in the first round has been taken by fellow English player Joey Barrington.

ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic:
Your chance to play a pro

Here’s your chance to play squash against a leading pro. But instead of getting hot and sweaty and being run ragged around the squash court, you can take on the stars at the new Wii squash game at Canary Wharf.

During the build-up to the ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic, which takes place from March 21-25 at the East Wintergarden, new British champion Daryl Selby, former world champion Peter Nicol and current world No.7 Peter Barker will be trying their hand at the game against all-comers. 

The action takes place in the Jubilee Mall at Canary Wharf on the following dates:
Monday 14: Daryl Selby 
Tuesday 15: Peter Nicol
Wednesday 16: Peter Barker
Times: 11am to 3pm each day.

Please let me know if you would like to play a pro and join in the fun.  

Alan Thatcher
Email:
alan@squashuk.com
Mobile: 07971 639 829

British World Champion Confirmed For ISS Canary Wharf Classic– Nick Matthew Profile/ Q&A

 Picture Courtesy of Antonio Petronzio

British World No.1 and current World Champion, Nick Matthew, will take to the court at the international ISS Canary Wharf Classic this March, as he bids for back-to-back victories at the prestigious London event.

Sheffield-born Matthew is in the form of his life, having successfully overcome the injury problems which kept him off top spot earlier in his career. Aged 29, he is now leading the British challenge on the world circuit where he is one of 6 Brits in the current men’s PSA world top 20.

The tournament, which has attracted the majority of the world’s top 10 in previous years, will take place from 21 – 25 March on the spectacular glass show court at East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf.

Former World Champion and tournament organiser, Peter Nicol MBE, Director at Eventis, said, "Nick is in exceptional form and the English squash community, who have followed him throughout his career, always expected him to make his mark on the world circuit. Having to beat fellow Yorkshireman James Willstrop for the World Title in 2010 just goes to show the incredible strength that the country currently has at international level.

“The ISS Canary Wharf Classic definitely has its own feel and the magnificent venue and unique placement within the City’s business centre, make it a real winner with the players as well as the fans. The home-country players will need to be on top form if they are going to impress in front of the London crowd though, with some world class names in the first round draw.”

Current World No.1 and 2010 World Champion, Nick Matthew, will be amongst the favourites in London having taken victory at the 2010 event for the first time. The top seed in the ongoing North American Open in Richmond, Virginia, took time off from his match preparations to say, "The draw for Canary Wharf shows just how strong English squash is at the moment. We had three players in the semi-finals of the World Open at the end of last year and here in Richmond we have the same three in the quarter-finals. We nearly had four with Tom Richards going very close to beating Ramy Ashour in the second round.

"Canary Wharf is a tournament all the players look forward to - great venue, big crowds and a knowledgeable and enthusiastic audience. It doesn't get any better than that." 

NICK MATTHEW
Born: 25.07.1980
Home town: Sheffield
Height: 6ft
Current World Ranking: 1
Highest achievement: World Champion 2010
Racket: Dunlop
Shoes: Hi-Tec

ALAN THATCHER

World Champion Matthew Given Revenge Chance Against Selby

World champion Nick Matthew has received an early chance for revenge against England team-mate Daryl Selby following the Essex man's stunning victory in the final of the British Nationals on Sunday.

The two are seeded to clash in the quarter-finals at Canary Wharf as Matthew bids to retain the title that helped him on his journey to the world No.1 position last year.

He followed that milestone by winning two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and crowned a fabulous year by winning the World Open in Saudi Arabia.

Selby's success in the Nationals highlights the strength in depth of English squash. 

The No.2 seed at Canary Wharf is James Willstrop, a three-times winner of the tournament and Matthew's opponent in numerous finals and semi-finals in the past 18 months.

MATTHEW DEFENDS TITLE AS WORLD'S LEADING SQUASH STARS RETURN TO ISS CANARY WHARF CLASSIC IN 2011
 
 
Tickets are now on sale for the 2011 ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic as world No.2 Nick Matthew plans to defend his title fresh from striking gold at the Commonwealth Games.
 
The eighth edition of the ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic, a PSA Five-Star world-ranking tournament, takes place from March 21-25 next year and co-promoter Peter Nicol is looking forward to another sell-out.
 
Nicol, who held the world No.1 slot for more than five years, was delighted to see Matthew win the Commonwealth Games gold medal in Delhi in an all-English final against James Willstrop, a three-times champion at Canary Wharf.
 
Matthew’s triumph followed Nicol’s Commonwealth Games wins over Australia’s David Palmer in Melbourne four years ago and Canadian Jonathon Power in Malaysia in 1998.
 
Nicol said: “The competition for the No.1 position between Nick Matthew and Ramy Ashour of Egypt is producing an electrifying era for squash.
 
“Ramy is one of the most gifted players in the history of the game but Nick produced the most consistent squash of his career to claim the No.1 position for several months earlier this year.
 
“He thoroughly deserved his gold medal in Delhi and was clearly the best player in the competition. He plays fast, aggressive, attacking squash and not many players can get close to him at the moment.”
 
Matthew’s triumph over Frenchman Gregory Gaultier in the final at Canary Wharf in March this year helped him to reach the No.1 slot for the first time in his career but his marathon semi-final win over Willstrop was the outstanding match of the tournament.
 
Nicol added: “Those two played themselves to an absolute standstill in a match of incredible quality lasting two hours and ten minutes.

“Nick needed two hours of treatment from the physiotherapist to get ready for the final the next day and it showed just how fit and strong he is to get back on court less than 24 hours later and dominate the final against Gaultier.”
 
Nicol is urging squash lovers to book their tickets early to avoid disappointment. He added: “With squash of that quality, it was no surprise that this year’s Canary Wharf tournament broke all records by selling out every ticket on every day of the competition.
 
“The crowds at Canary Wharf are probably the most knowledgeable and vocal anywhere in squash and they obviously love cheering on their home-based heroes.
 
“We are very proud of the fact that we are able to stage the event at the East Wintergarden at Canary Wharf and over the years it has become one of the most popular venues on the world tour for players and spectators alike.
 
“We have wonderfully loyal and supportive Title Sponsors in ISS Facility Services and we are enormously grateful to them and our Host Sponsors Canary Wharf Group plc for making it possible to showcase top professional squash in such a spectacular fashion.”
 
Tickets for the 2011 ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic are on sale via Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.co.uk) and the Ticket Hotline is 0844 847 2419.
Full details are on the tournament website: canarywharfsquash.com  
 
TOURNAMENT DETAILS
 
Tournament Title Sponsor: ISS Facility Services, London Division
 
Host Sponsor: Canary Wharf Group plc
 
The ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic at the East Wintergarden is jointly promoted by Eventis Sports Marketing and SquashUK.
 
Tournament Dates:
Qualifying: March 19-20 at Wimbledon Rackets and Fitness Club
Main draw: March 21-25, 2011
Venue: East Wintergarden, Bank Street, Canary Wharf, E14
 
Corporate Hospitality: Superb packages are available, enabling spectators to wine, dine and watch all the gripping squash action from the Gallery restaurant within the East Wintergarden.
 
Full details from Tim Garner at Eventis Sports Marketing
Telephone: 07973 817468. Email: tgarner@eventis-sports.com
 
Media information from Alan Thatcher
Text or telephone: 07971 639829. Email: alan@squashuk.com

 

 

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Ticket Information and Contacts
Tickets for the 2009 ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic are on sale via Ticketmaster (
www.ticketmaster.co.uk) and the Ticket Hotline is 0844 847 2419.


Tournament Title Sponsor: ISS Facility Services, London Division
Host Sponsor: Canary Wharf Group plc
The ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic at the East Wintergarden is jointly promoted by Eventis Sports Marketing and SquashUK.

Tournament
:
Qualifying:  at Wimbledon Rackets and Fitness Club.
Main draw:
Venue: East Wintergarden, Bank Street, Canary Wharf, E14

Corporate Hospitality: Superb packages are available, enabling spectators to wine, dine and watch all the gripping squash action from the Gallery restaurant within the East Wintergarden.

Full details from Tim Garner at Eventis Sports Marketing
Telephone: 07973 817468. Email:
tgarner@eventis-sports.com

Media information from Alan Thatcher
Text or telephone: 07971 639829. Email:
alan@squashuk.com