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2007 US Open champion Nick Matthew was forced to concede due to injury in the 2016 US Open men’s final in Philadelphia at the weekend.
Three-time world champion Matthew set up a final showdown with Mohamed Elshorbagy, the 2014 US Open champion, after outclassing Karim Abdel Gawad in the semi-final. However, injury brought a potentially epic encounter with Elshorbagy to a premature end as the Yorkshireman was forced to retire in the fifth game.
Matthew, the World No.4, opened up a 2-0 lead winning each game on a tiebreak, 12-10 and 14-12, giving the 36-year old hope of winning a second US Open title. However, a hamstring injury hampered his movement and took its toll on the Wolf, resulting with a handshake midway through the fifth game. It marked the third time in 18 months that Matthew has been forced to retire due to injury.
Commenting on his performance, Matthew said, “Ultimately my body just let me down at the end. My mind was in the game and I was enjoying it.
“I love being on this stage and I was a winner this week regardless of tonight.”
Meanwhile, it was a first world series semi-final for two years for James Willstrop following a tough encounter with South Africa's Steve Coppinger in the quarter-final to come through 11-9, 5-11, 11-8, 11-3. However, Mohamed ElShorbagy denied the possibility of an all-English finale by halting the run of the resurgent Willstrop in the semi and winning 3-0.
Ferocious finish from @nickmatthew in what is a compelling @USOpenSquash final with @moelshorbagy - this could be a classic pic.twitter.com/liuYYnmJhg
— PSA World Tour (@PSAWorldTour) October 15, 2016
In the women’s draw, Camille Serme became the first Frenchwoman to lift the US Open trophy following a 3-1 victory over top seed Nour El Sherbini.
US Open defending champion and World No.2 Laura Massaro cruised into the final eight but her title hopes were dashed in the quarter-final following a sublime performance from Serme that saw the Frenchwoman emerge victorious 11-8, 8-11, 11-2, 6-11, 11-6.
Meanwhile, World No.8 Alison Waters reached the quarters after dispatching Egyptian qualifier Salma Hany Ibrahim in Round 2. However, El Sherbini thwarted Waters' semi chances with a display of pure dominance in their quarter final, winning 3-0.
For more results and photos visit usopensquash.com.
