Matthew among the elite after third title win

DOWN BUT NOT OUT: Nick Matthew slumps to the floor after sealing a third world title in Manchester. Picture kindly supplued by Steve Cubbins/SquashSite.com

On an evening of high drama at Manchester Central, the world  No 4 experienced a whole range of emotions – particularly after seeing championship point taken from his grasp when 2-0 up before opponent Gregory Gaultier then drew level to take the thrilling final into a fifth and deciding game.

But Sheffield’s Matthew came out for the last leg like a man possessed and never gave his French opponent a sniff, eventually prevailing 11-9, 11-9, 11-13, 7-11, 11-2 after almost two hours of intense play.

The result earned Matthew some kind of revenge after world No 2 Gaultier had got the better of him in their two previous high-profile meetings, one of which saw the Frenchman clinch the US Open title last month and the other in Matthew’s own county in the semi-finals of this year’s British Open in Hull. “He gave me a lesson then,” said Matthew when asked about his recent loss to Gaultier in Philadelphia.

“Tonight’s match was tough – such a mental battle. It’s easy for people to witness the physical power and effort that we all have as players on the court.

“But what they don’t see is that mental torment that we all go through during games.

“It sometimes feels like there’s no space to breathe at times because it is so intense.

“I could gladly retire now, after three finals and three wins – but I won’t do!”

For Gaultier, who reached the semi-final after defeating Egypt’s Mohamed Elshorbagy 3-1 on Saturday, it was a fourth disappointment at the last stage in a world championship final, previously losing in 2006, 2007 and 2011, the latter when Matthew won his second title in Rotterdam.

But Matthew, who saw tournament favourite and world No 1 Ramy Ashour forced to retire with a hamstring injury during their semi-final on Saturday, believes it won’t be long before last night’s opponent lifts the coveted trophy himself.

“In my wildest dreams, I would have never thought I would get three world titles,” he added.

“I know that Greg is really feeling down right now, but he is younger than me, and he’ll have his chance.”

Matthew now joins a distinguished group of players – Australian Geoff Hunt; Pakistanis Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan and Egyptian Amr Shabana – who have three titles to their name.