Matthew dominates gifted Ashour to seal memorable triumph

An 11-9, 11-4, 11-8 victory over gifted Egyptian Ramy Ashour saw the 31-year-old Yorkshireman become the first Englishman to win the coveted tournament for the third time at London’s O2 Arena.

The world No 2 now heads into the summer on the perfect high after overcoming an opponent who had got the better of him during their previous five meetings.

After he clinched a tight opening game, the result rarely looked in doubt thereafter as his infamous physical approach forced Ashour – convincing conqueror of Leeds’s world No 1 James Willstrop in Saturday’s semi-finals – into more unforced errors than usual.

The result saw Matthew add to his previous victories in 2006 and 2009 – the later coming in a two-hour epic in Manchester against Willstrop.

“I came into these championships in fine shape but I was keen to rely on a more intelligent approach, rather than just my physical game which I’m renowned for,” said a delighted Matthew.

“It’s obviously worked this week and I’m just over the moon to have done this. I couldn’t have played much better really.

“The rest of the guys (at the top of the rankings) have got a few years on me and you sometimes have to wonder how much you’ve got left in the tank.

“We’ve got a nice summer break coming up now and I really couldn’t have wished for a better way to go into that.

“Ramy has many more (finals) to come. It’s been said before, but he is a genius and a magician with the racket.

“But he made a lot of errors today. There is a fine margin with those shots and had they been a few millimetres higher they would have been winners.”

Ashour, like Matthew a former world No 1, admitted his opponent was too good on the day.

“Nick was really in the zone and several steps ahead of me today in every department,” said Ashour.

“I can’t be too downhearted because I have played well this week and am proud of what I did.”

In the women’s final, Egypt’s 16-year-old world junior champion Nour El Sherbini had no answer to world No 1 Nicol David.

The overwhelming favourite delivered what was expected when she took just over 30 minutes to win 11-6, 11-6 , 11-6.