Account

Close close icon

Loading

Processing

close icon
arrow pointing leftBack 12 February 17 - by Chris Peddy

Nick Matthew wins record ninth Nationals title

Nick Matthew won the men's title at the Nationals for the sixth year in a row

Nick Matthew made history by winning his ninth National title in Manchester and cemented his status as one of the greatest British squash players ever.

Three-time world champion Matthew eased through his final against underdog Joe Lee to take home the trophy for the sixth year in a row.

The former World No.1 came into the game as huge favourite against his opponent and claimed the victory with a comfortable 11/6, 11/4, 11/8 in 40 minutes.

Much of the build-up to the tournament had centred around his long rivalry with James Willstrop [2] but he faced an unlikely opponent in Lee [5/8], who had progressed past Willstrop in the quarter finals after the latter retired with the match at 2-2.

Nick Matthew and Laura Massaro have won a combined 13 Nationals titles.

World No.4 Matthew did not drop a single game in his route to claiming the trophy, defeating qualifier Ashley Davies, Jaymie Haycocks, Declan James [5/8] and Lee all 3-0. He was delighted to win his ninth title at the Blowers Jewellers National Squash Championships.

“It’s an honour to win a ninth title”, he said.

Nick Matthew and Laura Massaro have won a combined 13 Nationals titles

“I think Joe was a little bit nervous with it being his first final. He pushed me hard in the third game, maybe I got a bit nervous. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve won a few titles, you do sometimes get a bit excited towards the end. But I’m really happy with where my game is and hopefully I can take that forward to the tour now.”

At 36, Matthew is now old enough to play in the masters at the Nationals but he continues to dominate the men’s game. He admitted facing a younger generation of players in the later rounds had been a different experience. He said: “It was totally different this year. With Dec [James] yesterday and Joe today it made me feel my age a bit. It would be nice to get ten. Hopefully, fingers crossed, I can come back for at least one more go and get a tenth.”


BUY TICKETS: Book your seats at the Allam British Open now


Lee’s route to the final was less straight forward. He overcame qualifier Rory Stewart 3-1 in the first round before facing Willstrop in the quarter final. The pair played an exciting 52-minute match but Willstrop conceded the match before the decisive game began, having not recovered from flu the week before.

He then faced his long-time friend Adrian Waller [5/8] in the semi-final, winning 3-1 in 68 minutes. It was the first time he had ever advanced beyond the quarter-final stage. But the final proved a stretch too far.

Laura Massaro retained the trophy in the women’s competition to take her title haul up to four. She defeated Sarah-Jane Perry [3/4] in 42 minutes, 11/5, 12/10, 11/9. Read the match report here.