SquashZAG

Case Swedish Open Squash Championship
Linköping, Sweden
Story by Howard Harding 
Photos by Simon Hansevi 

England's top seed Nick Matthew retained his Case Swedish Open title in Linköping - but it was not the final the packed crowd at Linköping Sporthall wanted when opponent James Willstrop, the 2008 champion, suffered a shoulder injury during the first game of the climax of $60,000 PSA World Tour squash event.

The match opened at high tempo and the two Englishmen delivered high class squash - but towards the end of the first game Willstrop sustained an injury to his right shoulder which made it difficult for the world No6 to play at his best.

Matthew, the world number two from Sheffield, took the first two games - but, midway through the third, Willstrop offered his hand to his Yorkshire rival, unable to continue further.

"I really suffer with James, it's never fun to win a tournament or even a game like this," said 29-year-old Matthew afterwards.  "But I have played very well in the recent months and was worth the victory here in Linkoping."

 

The success continues a sensational run for the England number one who will now bid to retain his British National Championship title in Manchester.  Matthew's appearance in the Linkoping climax marked his fourth Tour final in the last five events, and the triumph gives him his 11th Tour title since 1999.

After the final, Tournament Director Fredrik Johnson announced that Case have signed a deal for continued sponsorship in the Swedish Open 2011 - and that the PSA World Tour championship will be back next year in Linkoping.

"It was an excellent tournament all-round, but unfortunately James Willstrop couldn't carry on in the final," said Johnson, a former Swedish international.  "But overall it has been great squash from some of the best players in the world.

"And it's great that Case will be the title sponsor next year as well, and now the work for the Case Swedish Open 2011 begins."