Qatar Classic: Nick Matthew battles through but James Willstrop finds quarter-final path blocked

AGONY: Yorkshire's James Willstrop shows his frustration on the way to defeat at the Qatar Classic against Germany's Simon RÃ¶sner. Picture courtesy of PSA/squashpics.com

But while there was delight for the 36-year-old former world No 1, there was only disappointment for fellow Yorkshireman James Willstrop, whose hopes were ended after losing out to German No 1, Simon Rösner.

Matthew, appearing at the tournament for the first time since 2013, took a fairly comfortable first game 11-5, before squandering two game balls in the second for Clyne to level.

However, the 2009 winner’s experience kicked in during the third and continued through into the fourth, enabling him to progress on the back of an 11-5, 11-13, 11-7, 11-9 triumph.

Sheffield's Nick Matthew was able to get past Scotland's Alan Clyne and into the quarter-finals of the Qatar Classic. Picture courtesy of PSA/squashpics.com

“It was a battle and he played probably the best he’s played against me, I would say,” said Matthew.

“I’ve still got to be a lot more clinical and really back the way I’m playing.

“They were tough conditions, he played really well, but I’m happy to get through. I think I’m using a few of my lives in this tournament, so hopefully I’ve still got a few left.”

Harrogate-based Willstrop, himself a former world No 1, was up against it from the start against Rösner, who produced a powerful and accurate performance to record a superb 11-7, 11-7, 11-8 victory.

“I kept him behind me most of the time and I was able to attack quite well at the front,” said Rösner. “I played attacking squash and I think that I can’t play much better than that.

“It’s so tough to beat this guy, I think he’s pretty much back to normal and playing the way he used to before he was injured. To beat him in this form is quite special for me, so I’m really glad.”

Results: 2016 Qatar Classic, Second Round

[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) bt Leo Au (HKG) 3-1: 12-10, 11-13, 11-8, 11-8 (56m)

[7] Simon Rösner (GER) bt James Willstrop (ENG) 3-0: 11-7, 11-7, 11-8 (45m)

Gregoire Marche (FRA) bt [6] Tarek Momen (EGY) 3-2: 4-11, 11-4, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9 (76m)

[4] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [Q] Alan Clyne (SCO) 3-1: 11-5, 11-13, 11-7, 11-9 (55m)

[3] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt Zahed Mohamed (EGY) 3-2: 13-11, 9-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-5 (58m)

[5] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) bt Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) 3-0: 15-13, 13-11, 11-7 (60m)

[8] Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt Cesar Salazar (MEX)3-0: 11-2, 11-4, 11-4 (39m)

Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [Q] Adrian Waller (ENG) 3-0: 11-7, 11-5, 11-9 (48m)

Quarter-Finals (to be played Weds, Nov 16)

[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) v [7] Simon Rösner (GER)

Gregoire Marche (FRA) v [4] Nick Matthew (ENG)

[3] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v [5] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY)

[8] Cameron Pilley (AUS) v Daryl Selby (ENG)