Sheffield's Nick Matthew wins a re4cord 8th British Squash Championship

Sheffield's former World No 1 Nick Matthew has won his eighth British Squash title.
Nick MatthewNick Matthew
Nick Matthew

In a record ninth final, Matthew beat James Willstrop 3-1 (11-2, 6-11, 11-3, 11-3) as the pair met in their fifth final.

The top seed was dominant in the first game, putting Willstrop under relentless pressure as he took the lead.

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Willstrop fought back well from 2-4 in the second to level the match, but was under the cosh once more in the final two games as Matthew regained control.

At 9-2 in the fourth there was a particularly brutal rally which Willstrop somehow managed to win, to his own and the crowd’s delight, but it was only a short stay of execution.

“It’s always tough to break James down,” said Matthew, “but the court was a bit deader than in previous days and he was maybe feeling yesterday’s five-setter by the end. I ‘went to Coventry’ in the second but managed to get back on track.

“The Nationals is a great event, always improving with new things coming along like the U21s and two glass courts, and it’s unbelievable and an absolute honour to have won it eight times.”

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World No 1 Laura Massaro justified her top seeded with a comprehensive straight-game win over Alison Waters in the women’s final.

* World No 1 Laura Massaro justified her top seeded with a comprehensive straight-game win over Alison Waters in the women’s final.