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"I am very pleased with the match. Nick and myself know each other well and have played against each other since junior time. It is always even and it’s important to defend the T-position. I want to thank the organisers were and the audience for a great week and I will gladly return next year. ”

[2] Gregory Gaultier (Fra) 3-0 [1] Nick Matthew (Eng)
                     11/3, 12/10, 11/9 (72m)

QUICK REPORT
Fram watching PSATV

*"TGV" Greg was on a mission when he started the match today. Not giving a chance to Nick to settle in the game, the lead got to 8/2, despite Nick managing to make the rallies longer than Greg would have liked. A good sportmanship moment at that point, no let against Nick turned into a let by Greg, and a bit of a handshake there as well.. Awhhhh, that's my kind of moment.

Still, Nick's concentration was not at its best at the end, tinning some "easy" shots. Which got to be explained after the first game, when the Englishman asked for 3 minute injury time to sort out his blisters!

A massive massive second game, 34m. Nick managed to extend the rallies much better, especially at 2/2, which damaged Greg's legs. Still the French recovered, and we went all the way 5/5, 6/6, 7/7, 8/8, 9/9! Game ball for Nick, saved, a tin will give Greg his game ball of his own, and a stunning backhand crosscourt gives him a 2/0 lead.

I felt at that point that a physical damage was achieved by Nick. Greg has got a match more in the legs, and Nick made him work extremely hard. I thought the match was not finished at all...

And the 3rd came, with Greg, as I expected, making 4, 5 unforced errors in a short period of time. Nick, aware of the fatigue of his opponent, was controlling the pace, the shots, and playing very well. At 9/6, Greg really looked tired, and we thought, there we go for the 4th and probable a 5th!

And I feel that Nick maybe relaxed just a little bit, and maybe started thinking of the next game. And that's exactly the moment Greg found his second wind. Wrongfooting Nick with a forehand straight drive, he basically won the next 5 points within seconds... 11/9.

*TGV: Train à Grande Vitesse, French Very Fast Train, goes to 350km/h

Gaultier retains Swedish Open title

A scintillating performance by Gregory Gaultier in today's final of the Case Swedish Open saw the Frenchman beat England's world No2 Nick Matthew in straight games to retain the PSA World Tour International 70 squash title at Linköping Sporthall in Linköping, Sweden.

It was the dream climax of the biggest event in continental Europe which was celebrating its tenth anniversary - in which Matthew was marking his fifth successive final appearance since 2004, and denied a record fourth title.

The clash brought up the 50th Tour title of Gaultier's career - and produced his 23rd title!

Matthew told his Twitter followers: "Disappointed to lose today, especially 3-0 but Greg v. sharp. Good start, immaculate width/length & play the big points well = decent combo."

Tournament Director Fredrik Johnson thanked the sponsors, partners and audience at the trophy presentation - and said to the players: "You are true superstars and professionals and I will see you all next year again!"

[2] Gregory Gaultier (Fra) 3-0 [3] Peter Barker (Eng)
                               11/6, 11/3, 11/2 (30m)

[1] Nick Matthew (Eng) bt Tarek Momen (Egy)
                     Tarek withdrew for Achilles injury

NOTES FROM HOWARD HARDING

Defending champion Gregory Gaultier and three-time champion Nick Matthew will contest the climax of the Case Swedish Open after today's contrasting semi-finals of the PSA World Tour International 70 squash event celebrating its tenth year at Linköping Sporthall in Linköping, Sweden.

Frenchman Gaultier, the No2 seed, defeated England's third seed Peter Barker 11-6, 11-3, 11-2, while English favourite Matthew was handed a place in the final without walking onto the court after his unseeded Egyptian opponent Tarek Momen was forced to withdraw with an Achilles injury.

Matthew and Gaultier will be meeting for the 22nd time in their careers - and already the third time this month! The Englishman will be marking his 53rd Tour final appearance - while Gaultier will be celebrating his 50th!

QUICK REPORT

The Title Champion looks very good in this first game. Hitting the ball pretty hard low on the front wall, applying pressure right from the start, he is able to impose his game onto Peter, and manages to shorten the rallies - not easy to do against the Masters of Long Rallies. Forcing Peter out of his comfort zone, the Frenchman lead 2/0, Peter stays close, 2/2, 3/3, Greg creates the gap, 6/3, 9/4, game ball 10/6, 11/6 Greg, 1-0.

I know, I'm going to be told that I'm going too psychological here, but Peter, losing a game in 7m and 11/3, and the third, same story, that doesn't look like the Peter I know. So, or he's tired from yesterday's Simon's match. But he normally wouldn't. Or his injury is still not settled. Or, he is going through a bad patch from a mental point of view, as his physic was always his stronger point, and the fact he can't count on it as much as the moment is unsettling him.... Time will tell.

Still, Greg on a mission, didn't let Peter have a sniff at it....

 "I like playing on this court and I like the crowd here in Linköping."



"I'm disappointed and I was hoping that I could play on painkillers.

I have had the injury for two months and I felt now that it was not working anymore. Meanwhile, I would not risk aggravating the injury."



Gutted for Tarek. Injuries are by far the worst part of an athlete's life; we have all been there & I share his pain and frustration.


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