Nick Matthew and James willstrop
A rivalry has been developing over the past few years between the top two English squash players Nick Matthew and James Willstrop and it is set to continue tonight in London, on a court in East Wintergarden. In recent times this has been a one-sided affair in favour of Matthew who is pushing for the world number one spot, but it continues to be an exciting spectacle as most know that James Willstrop is capable of upsetting anyone in the world on his day. He proved this in January by winning the tournament of champions, one of the most prestigious events on the PSA tour, defeating the world number one Ramy Ashour by playing disciplined yet attacking squash. Willstrop is a shotmaker to rival the best shotmakers in the game. The final in New York, a match which Willstrop claimed as one of his best ever performances, saw the Yorkshireman control the pace of a game, perhaps better than he has ever done. There was an added dimension of deception in his game, he was able to make Ashour (a natural reader of the game) stand still, by holding the ball, before dispatching a winner to the back of the court, and combining this with taking the ball early on other occassions.
Nick Matthew, has had the key to unlock Willstrop’s work recently, albeit only just. Their past few meetings have been close affairs, including their clash in the North American Open in which Matthew won 3-0, but each game was won by a tight margin. One factor in Matthew’s favour would seem to be his physical intensity. Since returning to the tour from a shoulder injury (torn ligaments) over a year ago, Matthew has been enjoying the fruits of his labour during the dark and gloomy time that was his layoff, in which he went through a process of rehabilitation with trainer Mark Campbell and eventually got himself fitter than ever before. This fitness level appears to be the building block of his game, which has enabled him to absorb the attacks of the Egyptian players and reverse the pressure through taking the ball early and looking to volley high up the court wherever possible.
To bill James Willstrop’s match with Nick Matthew as shotmaker vs. traditionalist, would be too simplistic. Matthew wouldn’t been knocking on the door of number one in the world on a purely physically intense game. Matthew recognizes that “you have to free up your game – but do it in your own way”, and this he has done, with timely attacks, most notably volley drops, permitted by his exceptionally high positioning up the court, an example to all.
Tonights match is eagerly awaited for many reasons, not least because Willstrop always does well at this tournament, having won 3 times and he will be spoiling to settle the overall score with Matthew. Surprisingly, Matthew is yet to do well in this tournament let alone win it, and he will also be desperate for the ranking points in his quest for the world number one spot. Willstrop had the tougher battle in the quarter finals coming through against Daryl Selby, whilst Matthew breezed past Frenchman Thierry Lincou, nevertheless Willstrop claims he is well rested going into the tournament. Either way the margins are likely to be tight…
ISS Canary Wharf Classic Semi-Finals
James Willstrop v Nick Matthew
Gregory Gaultier v Peter Barker
The other semi-final will be a tough one to call. Both plays have points to prove. Gaultier, because of his lack of form since reaching the top spot last year and Barker, for his recent poor form over in America. Barker has lost weight, is looking sharp and demolished Alister Walker in the quarter finals. Gaultier came through a tough battle with David Palmer, but no-one knows what the unpredictable Frenchman is capable of…
