Matthew on a roll with record-breaking triumph in London

SHEFFIELD’S Nick Matthew won a record-breaking fifth Canary Wharf Classic championship with a commanding 3-0 win over German Simon Rösner.
Nick Matthew celebrates his fifth Canary Wharf Classic title in London on Friday night. Picture courtesy of squashpics.comNick Matthew celebrates his fifth Canary Wharf Classic title in London on Friday night. Picture courtesy of squashpics.com
Nick Matthew celebrates his fifth Canary Wharf Classic title in London on Friday night. Picture courtesy of squashpics.com

In front of a buoyant crowd at Canary Wharf’s East Wintergarden, the 34-year-old Yorkshireman proved too strong for the World No 9 from Paderborn, powering his way to an 11-4, 11-9, 11-7 triumph to become the first man since Ramy Ashour in 2013 to win three PSA Tour tournaments on the bounce - adding the Canary Wharf Classic to the Swedish Open and Windy City Open titles he won inside the past month.

“It’s just amazing to win this title for a fifth time,” said Matthew.

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“This is one of the best venues and events on the tour. It’s been sold out all week and the atmosphere has been amazing and it’s tournaments and places like that where you really want to be playing your squash.”

Competing in one of the biggest matches of his life Rösner, the highest-ranked German player of all time, struggled in the early exchanges and quickly found himself one-game down after just 12-minute courtesy of a number of errors.

But he responded impressively in the second game, shaking off any nerves to fully play his part in an intense final. But, ultimately, but he couldn’t find the crucial, telling blow as Matthew came out on top in a series of punishing rallies during the key exchanges to win his 33rd PSA World Tour tournament title.

“I’m really pleased with how I played this week and tonight – but I just lost out to the better player on the night,” said Rösner.

Matthew added: “I tried to make it really hard for him and I’m building up notes on him because he’s improving a lot.

“I’m sure we’re going to have a few more finals on tour over the next few years.”