"I'm proud to be Swedish Open Champion. It was one of the toughest matches I ever played - it tested everything; Physical, Mental, Technical & Tactical," said Matthew. England’s Nick Matthew (ri) regained exclusive rights to next month’s World No.1 Squash Ranking after securing a dramatic 5-game victory over Ramy Ashour (le) in the final of the Case Swedish Open in Linköping.
The 3-time World Champion from Sheffield uniquely shared the top world ranking this month with Gregory Gaultier – but despatched the event’s defending champion in straight games in the semi-finals to move ahead of his French rival.
And in his sixth appearance in the Swedish Open final since 2004, Matthew recovered from a game down to upset the top seed from Egypt 11-13, 11-6, 11-8, 6-11, 11-4 in 91 minutes to claim his 1st complete match win over Ashour, the World No.1 throughout 2013, since May 2012.
“I’m proud to be Swedish Open Champion,” said 33-year-old Matthew later. “It was one of the toughest matches I ever played – it tested everything; Physical, Mental, Technical & Tactical.”
