"I managed not to play too fast all the time; to mix the rhythm by hitting some high balls to take control of the T," said the newly-crowned champion Gaultier (photo: Jay D. Prince) Frenchman Greg Gaultier (front) beat world No2 Nick Matthew (back) from England in the final of the NetSuite Open in San Francisco, USA.
Throughout the match, Gaultier kept Matthew’s strength – cutting the ball off at mid-court – at bay, while simultaneously controlling his own tempo.
Gaultier was simply unstoppable, putting his astounding quickness and relentless attacking style to full effect to overcome Matthew 11-7, 13-11, 11-9 after 62 minutes of play.
“I managed not to play too fast all the time; to mix the rhythm by hitting some high balls to take control of the T,” said the newly-crowned champion, now winner of 21 PSA Tour titles.
Perhaps the most impressive difference with Gaultier was his ability to maintain his composure – not only when referee decisions didn’t go his way but, in particular, when Matthew succeeded in closing gaps midway through each game. He credits a new perspective on life after becoming a father for the first time eight weeks ago.
“I realise life is not only squash, and that was all my life before,” explained the 29-year-old Frenchman. “I always put squash into one box and it was only it. And when you win life is beautiful, and when you lose it’s the end of the world. So now it gives me a great balance.
“There’s other things important in life. It gives me wings and has changed my attitude as well. It makes me more calm on court. I’m a really happy dad, and my girlfriend is really doing well. As long as Nolan is healthy, I’m happy. It’s an amazing feeling.”
Final:
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [2] Nick Matthew (ENG) 11-7, 13-11, 11-9 (62m)
Semi-finals:
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt Amr Shabana (EGY) 11-7, 12-10, 11-8 (43m)
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [4] Peter Barker (ENG) 11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 11-6 (56m)
Quarter-finals:
Amr Shabana (EGY) bt [1] James Willstrop (ENG) 11-8, 11-8, 11-9 (53m)
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt Tarek Momen (EGY) 11-4, 11-7, 7-11, 12-10 (58m)
[4] Peter Barker (ENG) bt Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) 11-7, 11-4, 11-4 (47m)
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt Daryl Selby (ENG) 11-6, 12-10, 11-4 (53m)
1st round:
[1] James Willstrop (ENG) bt [Q] Alan Clyne (SCO) 11-4, 11-9, 11-9 (34m)
Amr Shabana (EGY) bt Alister Walker (BOT) 11-8, 5-11, 11-3, 11-5 (49m)
Tarek Momen (EGY) bt [Q] Gregoire Marche (FRA) 11-7, 11-3, 11-7 (32m)
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 11-4, 7-11, 11-1, 11-1 (52m)
[4] Peter Barker (ENG) bt Hisham Mohd Ashour (EGY) 11-6, 11-4, 11-3 (33m)
Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt [Q] Chris Simpson (ENG) 11-8, 11-4, 11-9 (48m)
Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [Q] Martin Knight (NZL) 12-10, 11-7, 11-4 (50m)
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt Julian Illingworth (USA) 11-8, 11-9, 11-3 (53m)
