Willstrop exits as Matthew marches on in Sweden

JAMES Willstrop’s return to the court ended earlier than he would have preferred when he was knocked out of the Swedish Open at the quarter-final stage last night.

The 31-year-old Yorkshireman had not been in competitive action on the PSA World Tour since winning the China Open back in September, having undergone a hip operation.

A first-round win against fellow Harrogate resident Chris Simpson on Thursday saw Willstrop – winner in Linkoping back in 2007 – given a much-needed 73-minute workout by his opponent before he emerged triumphant 11-9 7-11 7-11 11-4 11-8.

But the third seed’s hopes of reaching the last four were scuppered by South Africa’s Stephen Coppinger, who got the better of their hour-long contest when winning 11-7 11-9 11-13 11-7.

Four-time winner Nick Matthew earned a semi-final encounter with Germany’s Simon Rosner after beating Australia’s Cameron Pilley 12-10 11-8 12-10.