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• Day ONE • Day TWO • Day THREE • |
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TODAY at the
British Grand Prix
Monday 11th, Day FOUR
Steve Cubbins reports from Sportcity ... |
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Finals Day at Sportcity
The fourth and final day of action as the men played off for positions
one to eight ...
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One Better for Nick
Nick Matthew and Karim Darwish had looked
the freshest players here all week, both having departed the World
Open earlier than they would have expected, or wanted, and it was no
surprise that they found themselves in the final.
Nick had made the final last year, but it was first-time finalist
Karim who made the better start, helped, it has to be said, by several
careless errors from the British national champion, 11/2 in
double-quick time.
But Nick quickly put that aside and from the start of the second
started pressurising Karim more, quickly going to 5/1, a lead that
proved decisive.
The third, as it often is, was crucial. Nick started well, 5/1 again,
then 7/2 after a long, hard rally which ended with a conduct warning
for Karim as he abused his racket after losing it on a stroke.
That seemed to fire him up as he fought back determinedly, and after a
couple of tins from Nick brought it back to 7/5 we had a real match.
Nick extended to 10/6, Karim recovered to 10/9 and then tinned a
sitter at the front. Strangely, it was Nick's racket that went flying
this time, no doubt he thought he should have finished it quicker.
Relieved, Nick carried his momentum into the fourth, and there was to
be no recovery this time. This is Nick's favourite court, after all
...
 "I'm
delighted to win this time. I thought a bit about last year's
final when I was well up against Thierry but lost it. I've been
working with my coach on playing the big points better and I'm
pleased I saw it through tonight.
"I've been in a good rhythm all week, but Karim knocked me out of
that right from the start. I was trying to play winning shots when
he was level with me, and he's better at that sort of game,
dropshots and stuff at the front. I needed to get him deeper and
thankfully I managed to do that.
"I'll put my feet up have an ice bath, then start getting ready
for Friday, you can't afford to dwell on it too long."
Nick Matthew |
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 "I
started well, I was controlling the rallies and all my shots were
going in.
"I lost my focus and concentration in the second and Nick was very
strong and carried I through to the end of the match.
"I'm happy with my performances here this week and it will give me
confidence to do well in my next tournaments. I haven't played the
British Open for two years so I hope to do well this time."
Karim Darwish |
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Seventh for James
You won't often see the world numbers two and four in a play-off for
seventh and eighth place, but that's what the Sportcity crowd got for
tonight's opener.
It was an entertaining match, enjoyed by players and spectators alike
...
 "It
would have been nice to have a week off after Cairo, go home to
rest and let it all sink in, but I decided I was coming here and
it's been some good matches.
"I'll rest for a couple of days now then it's the British. I have
three titles already, so if I don't win another it's no disaster.
"I'll keep it low key and try to work my way through the draw one
match at a time, like I did in Cairo. No pressure, I'll try my
best as always and see how it goes."
David Palmer |
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 "I
feel so much better now, just normal really. It's funny, you can
train really hard for weeks and nothing happens, but over the last
four days I've come on so much.
"I'm just looking forward to playing the biggest events now, I'm
just really glad I can play in it."
James Willstrop |
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"When
you play the top players you have to put in 100% and hope you can
win.
"I've
got a tough first round against Lee in the British Open, but
that's how it is these days. We'll be trying to beat our record of
99 minutes …"
"It
was good to get some tough games in here against some of the top
players, I'm sure it will have done me good.
