The Hindu : Sport / Squash : Matthew and Duncalf claim titles

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Monday, Dec 20, 2010
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Sport - Squash

Matthew and Duncalf claim titles

Kamesh Srinivasan

— Photo: Sandeep Saxena

CHAMPIONS: Nick Matthew (right) and Jenny Duncalf won the PSA and WISPA Masters titles on Sunday.

NEW DELHI: World champion Nick Matthew of England proved too good for his compatriot James Willstrop as he recorded a resounding 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 victory in the final of the $192,500 Punj Lloyd PSA Masters squash tournament at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here on Sunday.

Having beaten the second-seeded Willstrop in the Commonwealth Games final at the same venue and the World Open final last week, Matthew was the favourite, but he put together a strong game once again to assert his authority in a contest that lasted 48 minutes.

The champion collected $29,093 and the runner-up $19,118.

“This is the second biggest tournament after the World Open. I am happy to win two titles in December, at the end of the season. I am sure the crowd would have wanted a couple of more games, but I hope they were happy with what they saw,” said the 30-year-old Matthew, who will be officially ranked No.1 in the world when the next list comes up.

Once he got off to a strong start winning the first four points, Matthew called the shots, and Willstrop was just trying to catch up.

In the second game, the 27-year-old Willstrop enjoyed the lead at 5-3, but Matthew reeled off five points in a row to scotch any hopes of revival.

Inspired show

Willstrop did save two game points with an inspired performance but hit the tin with the backhand to further concede ground.

In the third game, the champion looked a trifle tired, but bounced back from 2-4 with a solid performance to race to a 9-5 lead, with a clincher that got him the point for 7-5 after one of those tough rallies.

Willstrop praised Matthew for another fine execution, and said that he was right on top of his game, and there was a valid reason as to why he was the World No.1 and World champion.

In the women's final the top-seeded Jenny Duncalf of England continued with her domination over the second-seeded Kasey Brown of Australia, in racing to victory in 34 minutes, dropping 14 points.

The women's champion got $5415, and runner-up $3840.

The results (finals):

PSA Masters: Nick Matthew (Eng) bt James Willstrop (Eng) 11-7, 11-8, 11-7.

WISPA Masters: Jenny Duncalf (Eng) bt Kasey Brown (Aus) 11-5, 11-5, 11-4 .

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