New World No 1 Coming to Canberra
25-May-2010 - Australian Open Team
Less than 24 hours after ensuring his new status as the world number one, Nick Matthew clinched the $150,000 Sky Open title after beating defending champion Karim Darwish in the final of the third PSA Super Series 2010 event on an all-glass court at the Sky Resort in the Egyptian capital Cairo.
It was Matthew's four-game semi-final victory over Frenchman Thierry Lincou that ensured that the Englishman will top the PSA world rankings next month for the first time – after reigning world number one Ramy Ashour was defeated in straight games by fellow Egyptian Darwish in the other semi.
And Matthew and Darwish, seeded two and four respectively in the climax of the biggest PSA Super Series event of the year to date, went into the match evenly poised at three wins apiece in their career head-to-head Tour record.
Cairo-based Darwish celebrated his third successive appearance in the final by taking the opening game – but Yorkshireman Matthew battled back to take control before winning 6-11, 11-7, 12-10, 13-11 in 60 minutes to claim the 14th Tour title of his career – and his second successive Super Series trophy of 2010.
"It's a surreal feeling - it will probably sink in when I get home and in the company of my family, friends and my team," said the new champion after the presentations.
"I was inspired tonight by what Karim did in Saudi and that drove me to play as though my life was on it. Now I am looking for a break away from the game - a trip to Mexico and then home to work on staying in this position.
"World number one sounds great!" added the 29-year-old from Sheffield.
Matthew also extends his lead at the top of the PSA Super Series Rankings, with 240 points – ahead of Ramy Ashour (170), fellow Englishman James Willstrop (165), and Karim Darwish (120)
Final:
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [4] Karim Darwish (EGY) 6-11, 11-7, 12-10, 13-11 (60m)
