James Willstrop reaches AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix Final
December 05 2016
Despite another impressive performance, James Willstrop was unable to lift the 2016 AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix trophy & prevent his English rival Nick Matthew claiming his first Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour title in 18 months.
In the latest instalment of a rivalry dating back to 2001, which has seen the pair clash on the PSA World Tour almost 60 times, it was Nick Matthew who proved his domestic supremacy once again with a spirited & tactically astute display that saw him claim an impressive 51-minute 11-7 12-10 11-4 victory.
Nick Matthew started strongly to take the opening game & then showed the grit & determination that has epitomised his career as he snarled his teeth to withstand an onslaught from 33-year-old Willstrop & take the second game tie-break - setting up the platform to complete the victory & lift the 34th PSA World Tour title of his career.
"We've played an incredible number of matches - big tournament matches in semi-final or finals - against each other & today was another so I'm just delighted to have come out on top," said Nick Matthew.
“A lot has been said about our rivalry but there is a tremendous admiration for what both of us do on the court. Off the court as well in the way we prepare, we couldn’t be two more different people but that leads to some unbelievable matches.
"It wasn't easy at any stage today & it could have been very different. In that second game he showed how good he was & I was lucky to get that game. I knew I had to just push through & I'm really pleased to back it up."
The three-time World Champion's career has at times stuttered since his last title success, at the 2015 Canary Wharf Classic, with injuries hampering his opportunity to win more silverware. & despite starting the 2016/17 season with a shock first round defeat at the NetSuite Open, he rekindled some of the finest form of his career on home soil in Manchester to end the year on a high.
"There's been a lot of soul-searching & times when I wasn't sure if I could cut it at the top anymore, so there was a lot of emotion that came out at the end tonight," he added.
"All that behind the scenes work, the work of the team that have been on that journey with me & the sacrifices that everyone makes as part of that melting pot are what comes out. I'm happy to be playing but to know that I can still produce it & get over the line is an incredible feeling.
“One minute I’m planning my retirement party, the next minute I want to play for five more years, so the truth is probably somewhere in between.
“There were times where I thought this might be my last year but I definitely have plans to finish this season & take it from there. I would dearly, dearly love to play in one more Commonwealth Games & of course the Worlds in Manchester next year.”
On the final James Willstrop said: "I just wish I could have given him more of a match.
"But I have to salute him. I gave everything there but he was too good, & too accurate - I couldn't get him out of position. People talk about his age but he's as good as he was six years ago when we were playing finals."
2016 AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix Final:
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [6] James Willstrop (ENG) 3-0: 11-7, 12-10, 11-4 (51m)
UNSQUASHABLE is committed to developing equipment to be used by the world’s leading players because we believe that engineering equipment for professional competition makes for a better product for the everyday player.
James Willstrop uses our UNSQUASHABLE Y-TEC PRO racket which is available exclusively from www.unsquashable.com
For more information regarding the 2016 AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix, visit: www.psaworldtour.com & www.squashsite.com
James Willstrop to star at AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix - Book Tickets Now
James Willstrop is the latest big name to confirm his inclusion in a stellar line-up at this year’s AJ Bell 2016 British Squash Grand Prix to be staged at the National Squash Centre in Manchester from 2nd to 5th December.
Book tickets online: www.unsquashable.com
As the Official Racket Partner of this year's AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix, www.unsquashable.com in conjunction with event organisers internationalSPORTgroup, is offering the following exclusive ticket promotions.
Book your tickets now to avoid missing out on this exciting opportunity to see a star-studded entry battle it out for one of Europe's most prestigious titles on the PSA World Tour.
Friday 2nd December, 1st Round (from 1pm, Doors Open at 12noon)
WAS: £30.00
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Order online: AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix – Manchester 2016
Saturday 3rd December, Quarter-Finals - 1st Session (from 1pm, Doors Open at 12noon)
WAS: £30.00
NOW: £20.00
SAVE: £10.00
Order online: AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix – Manchester 2016
Saturday 3rd December, Quarter-Finals - 2nd Session (from 5pm, Doors Open at 4pm)
WAS: £30.00
NOW: £20.00
SAVE: £10.00
Order online: AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix – Manchester 2016
Sunday 4th December, Semi-Finals – 1st & 2nd Sessions (from 1pm, Doors Open at 12noon)
SUPER SAVER TICKET NOW: £30.00
SAVE: £30.00
Order online: AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix – Manchester 2016
Monday 5th December, Final (7pm, Doors Open at 5pm)
WAS: £30.00
NOW: £25.00
SAVE: £5.00
Order online: AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix – Manchester 2016
For more information, visit: www.unsquashable.com
James Willstrop has enjoyed a spectacular resurgence in form since joining UNSQUASHABLE earlier this year - winning the Wimbledon Open to end an 18-month barren spell without a major title on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) as well as reaching the final & semi-finals of the NetSuite Open & U.S Open respectively in the past month.
A two-time Commonwealth Games Silver Medallist & winner of 19 PSA World Tour titles, Willstrop is one of the most exciting players on the international circuit & is looking forward to appearing on home soil.
"Being at home, there's less of the stuff that sometimes makes things go wrong," said James Willstrop.
"You've not got all the travel, being in different countries & jet lag & sleeping issues. It's comfortable & I can always pop home if I need to, being up North, although I don't like to do too much of that because you want to get into the event & be around the event, otherwise you can get a bit too distracted.
"It's a great thing not having to go to another country & to get on another flight. It's always a pleasure being at home. There's a comfort aspect to being in Manchester because we know it so well.
"I do look forward to that, just to have those tournaments when it's been busy & I can be at home. For some of us who have families as well, I guess that comes into it. You're always nearer to them," added the Englishman who joins a stellar line-up which will include reigning World Champion Gregory Gaultier, three-time World Champion Nick Matthew, Australian No.1 Cameron Pilley & wildcard Joel Makin of Wales.
Inspired by Jahangir Khan, UNSQUASHABLE is committed to developing equipment that is used by the world’s leading players because UNSQUASHABLE believe that engineering equipment for professional competition makes for a better product for the everyday player.
James Willstrop uses the UNSQUASHABLE Y-TEC PRO racket which will be launched at this year’s AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix & available exclusively from www.unsquashable.com
Every effort is made to ensure details of all products & offers are factually correct at the time promotions are issued, but no responsibility can be accepted for any subsequent errors. Prices are subject to change without prior notification.
AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix - WIN a VIP Experience with Jahangir Khan
As Official Racket Partner of the 2016 AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix, www.unsquashable.com is offering a pair of VIP tickets to this year’s final.
Each VIP ticket will entitle the recipient to a premium back wall seat & access to the VIP lounge hosted by 10-time British Open Champion and UNSQUASHABLE ambassador Jahangir Khan.
To qualify for this spectacular money-can’t-buy experience, just place an order online from www.unsquashable.com before Monday 28th November.
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Jahangir Khan 555 tribute to be held at AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix
Event Promoter internationalSPORTgroup has announced that a four-man invitational event will be staged alongside this year’s AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix to mark the 30th anniversary of Jahangir Khan’s record-breaking unbeaten run from 1981 to 1986. Sponsored by UNSQUASHABLE, the brand Jahangir used with distinction throughout his record-breaking career, the Jahangir Khan 555 Challenge will feature Welsh National Champion Joel Makin, European Junior Champion Patrick Rooney, former Spanish Champion Victor Montserrat & Manchester Squash Academy Head Coach Josh Taylor.
“Jahangir Khan is our sport’s greatest ever champion & we are delighted that he will be attending this year’s AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix & that we are able to recognise & celebrate his remarkable achievement of 555 unbeaten matches,” said internationalSPORTgroup Chief Executive Officer Paul Walters.
“I’m really looking forward to being in Manchester at this year’s AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix & I’m honoured that internationalSPORTgroup have decided to recognise my run of 555 unbeaten matches all those years ago. I’m particularly pleased that the event will be sponsored by UNSQUASHABLE whose rackets were fundamental to my success,” added Jahangir, the record 10-time British Open Champion who earlier in the year confirmed his renewed involvement with the iconic brand which he used throughout his record-breaking career.
The UNSQUASHABLE Jahangir Khan 555 Challenge will take place on Sunday 4th & Monday 5th December.
Inspired by Jahangir Khan, UNSQUASHABLE is committed to developing high-performance products used by the world’s leading players because we believe that engineering equipment for professional competition makes for better product for the everyday player.
2016 AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix
UNSQUASHABLE is proud to be the Official Racket Partner of the 2016 AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix.
In 2015, the championship attracted a star-studded entry including the world’s top four ranked players Mohamed Elshorbagy, Nick Matthew, Gregory Gaultier and Miguel Ángel Rodríguez. This year’s AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix will be staged on the spectacular all-glass show court at the National Squash Centre in Manchester from the 2nd to 5th December.
www.unsquashable.com, in conjunction with event organisers internationalSPORTgroup, is offering the following exclusive pre-sale promotions before tickets go on general sale.
Book your tickets now to avoid missing out on this exciting opportunity to see the world’s top ranked players battle it out for one of Europe's most prestigious titles on the PSA World Tour.