Matthew back on track
Quarters: [2] Nick Matthew (Eng) 3-0 [6] Tarek Momen (Egy) 11-4, 11-5, 13-11 (47m)
Malcolm reports
Neither player had had an easy passage to the quarter final, Nick Matthew especially, having saved three match balls against Borja Golan, so both would be more than happy to be still in contention. The early exchanges were a little scrappy as both players looked to settle and it was Matthew who settled first, soon applying pressure on Momen, which led to forced errors by Momen and a succession of winners by Matthew. As the game progressed, it became easier and easier for the Englishman and he was soon 1/0 up, 11/4. Nor did things improved for Momen, as he struggled against the pace and accuracy of Matthew’s hitting and his finishing into the front right, unitl at 6/2, he engaged Matthew for a while and Matthew reassessed convincingly 11/5. It would a major surprise now were there any way back for Momen. To his credit, he led 5/2 when a controversial decision which went against him reminded Matthew why he was there. He still trailed 9/6, but few players if any play the big points as well. He forced the tie-break. There were lets now and the match was decided on a stroke.
Nick If you can’t play for four or five days in a row then you aren’t training hard enough - it’s as simple as that. We train harder than we play every day and if you can’t back up after a tough five-game match then you won’t get to the top.
I had to do the right things because obviously it’s not easy. I had Jade and Camps and Danny in my corner. Camps is working on the technical stuff and Danny is helping me on the mental side so I had a good team looking after me.
I maybe got a bit over aroused at times - and started kissing at Roy! But it was because the danger today was being a little bit flat after yesterday. I had to make myself over aroused and it is a dangerous game to play, and it is close to coiling over at times, but it was what I had to do today.
It’s not Tarek’s fault but that’s the worst rule in squash. How do you explain to someone who’s never played before that if you hit someone with the ball you get the point - it’s the worst rule in squash and needs to be changed as soon as possible.
It was a needs must situation. I play my best when I’m composed but when he made me flat at the start of the third and started moving me around with good squash I needed something to help get me going again. It’s hard to stay that alert for an hour so if anything that rule served me well today.
I told myself when I was down in that last game that it could go to five - and two five gamers in a row is tough so it was important to get off 3-0 for the rest of the tournament.