New York can help boost Olympic bid

With the stunning backdrop of the city’s Grand Central Terminal adding to the sport’s growing list of iconic venues, Matthew is one of many players who cites his few days in the Big Apple as among his favourite of the year.

The first ranking tournament of 2013 sees Matthew begin his quest to win a second successive title tomorrow night against former Chapel Allerton favourite and one-time England colleague Alister Walker who, after switching international duties to represent his native Botswana, now lives in New York.

Since some of the sport’s leading figures put their case forward in front of an IOC Committed last month calling for inclusion at the 2020 Games, momentum to back the bid has been steadily growing and was given additional impetus thanks to live TV coverage of the PSA World Series Finals in London earlier this month.

“It was fantastic for the sport to get live coverage on Sky for the World Series Finals, not only for us to showcase our abilities but to promote the Olympic bid too,” said Matthew. “Hopefully, we can continue the momentum in New York.

“The ToC is a massive tournament and is without a doubt my favourite event on the tour – it was a lifelong ambition to get my name on that trophy.

“I have been in the final four times and won the US Open in New York in 1997 and also got voted PSA player of the year there in 2011 – so I have massively fond memories of the city.”

Matthew is seeded second for the event and could meet top seed and fellow Yorkshireman James Willstrop in the final.

The 29-year-old world No 3 – who won the event in 2007 – opens his account tonight against improving Colombian Miguel Angel Rodriguez.

If Willstrop proceeds as expected, he can expect to meet Rany Ashour at the last-four stage – the world No 1 is seeded four at the event and won the World Championships in Doha last month.

If Matthew gets past Walker, he will be met with a stern test much earlier in a top-level tour event than he is used to with Egyptian Amr Shabana likely to be waiting in the second round.

Former world No 1 Shabana is unseeded in New York and defeated Matthew when the two met in the final of the World Series Finals just under two weeks ago.