Matthew edges away from Ashour

SHEFFIELD’S Nick Matthew increased his lead over main rival Ramy Ashour at the top of the PSA World Rankings, despite losing to the talented Egyptian in the final of the British Grand Prix last month.

The pair contested their fourth successive World Series final this year in Manchester but, having no ranking points from the 2010 event to defend, Matthew was assured of the No1 slot as soon as he reached the quarter-final stages. Meanwhile, 2010 champion Ashour needed to retain the title in order to maintain his points total over the previous 12 months.

Egyptians Karim Darwish and Amr Shabana – the two beaten British Grand Prix semi-finalists – retain their third and fifth places, respectively, while Leeds’s James Willstrop separates the two at No4.

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Both Matthew and Willstrop are in action at the US Open, both having reached the quarter-final stages by Monday night.

Matthew, No1 in the world since the beginning of the year, set up a last eight clash with Egypt’s Mohamed El Shorbagy after easing to an 11-8, 11-3, 11-5 victory over Omar Mosaad on Sunday.

The unseeded 23-year-old from Cairo fully tested the event favourite in the opening game, holding a few points’ lead before Matthew finally closed it out with some typically solid play in the final few points.

“The first game was long and drawn out - he came with a strategy and stuck to it well,” said Matthew.

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“It wasn’t physically demanding as such, more a mental battle with lots of slow rallies. I was a bit sluggish at the start and left too many things hanging out on his forehand. I managed to claw back the few points lead he had and was more comfortable after that.”

Willstrop - set to play fellow Englishman Peter Barker in the Philadelphia tournament - reached the last eight after dispatching of British national champion Daryl Selby 11-7, 11-5, 11-6.

In the women’s draw, Harrogate’s world No 2 Jenny Duncalf, is scheduled to meet Hong Kong’s Annie Au in the last eight on Tuesday night after seeing off American Amanda Sobhy 12/10, 11/6, 11/5 in 27 minutes.

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