Willstrop lifts year's first big title in New York

JAMES WILLSTROP paid tribute to his support team after landing the PSA Tour's first big title of the year, seeing off Ramy Ashour to lift the Tournament of Champions trophy in New York.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Jan 2010, 22:56 BST
Updated 29th Jan 2010, 23:45 BST

Willstrop triumphed 12-10, 11-5, 9-11, 11-3 over Egypt's world No 1 to cap a fantastic week for the 26-year-old from Leeds.

The world No 6, gradually returning to the top of the world game after an injury layoff last year, had already pulled off two notable victories to reach the final, defeating former world No 1s Karim Darwish and Amr Shabana.

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Afterwards, Willstrop - who was denied a clash with fellow Yorkshireman Nick Matthew after the 29-year-old from Sheffield lost to Ashour in the semi-finals - paid tribute to those who had helped his career go from strength to strength.

"I don't know when I will have the chance again to be standing here with the winner's microphone, so I am going to take advantage of this opportunity," said Willstrop.

"I have got here with lots of hard work and a great support team - and this championship would not be possible without them," he added, referring to, in particular, his father and coach, Malcolm Willstrop, as well as his girlfriend Vanessa Atkinson, former women's world No 1.

"I would have to say this has been the best week of squash for me ever. I beat three outstanding No 1 players in four days and won the Tournament of Champions. It is not the biggest money event, but it is the most exciting."

Related topics:Malcolm WillstropNew YorkEgypt