Willstrop encouraged by Hong Kong display despite loss to Ashour

The world No 1 from Yorkshire was one half of an excellent finale to a week of competition in the Far East which had seen the game’s governing bodies aiming to impress an International Olympic Committee delegation, who were at the event to consider the sport’s bid to be included in the 2020 Games.

Ultimately, his Egyptian opponent just had too much for him, extending his head-to-head record with Willstrop – the defending champion – to 14-5 in his favour, triumphing.

Ashour triumphed 11-8 3-11 11-7 11-6 after a high-quality hour and four minutes’ play.

Now everybody’s attention will switch to the biggest event of the men’s world PSA Tour in Qatar, where Willstrop will open his bid for a first World Championship title – previously called the World Open – against fellow Englishman Chris Ryder on Friday.

And despite being edged out by former world No 1 Ashour for the third time in succession this year – Willstrop did beat the Egyptian at the North American Open in February – the 29-year-old, from Leeds, was buoyed by his performances throughout the whole week.

“It’s very disappointing – I was here to win the match and I didn’t do that,” said Willstrop. “But I wanted to give my best, and I did that. He forced me to play loose balls and he capitalised on that brilliantly.

“It’s been an encouraging week, though, to get to the final.”

Ashour reached the final having seen off Sheffield’s Nick Matthew in the semi-finals. In a match lasting 65 minutes, world No 2 and second seed Matthew went down 11-9 11-9 13-11. Willstrop got the better of Egypt’s Karim Darwish 11-8 11-5 11-9.

In the women’s draw, Nicol David won her seventh Hong Kong title, defeating France’s Camille Serme 11-9 11-6 8-11 11-7.

Matthew will get a chance to go for a fourth British Open title in his own county when the 2013 event takes place at Hull’s KC Stadium between May 20-26.