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Six-Time Champion Matthew Looking Forward to Bryant Clash in Dunlop Legends v Futures Challenge

17 March 2023

Nick Matthew has won a record six Canary Wharf Classic titles, and he will be back in action at East Wintergarden tonight when he takes on British Junior Open runner-up Jonah Bryant in the Dunlop Legends v Futures Challenge at 18:00 – live for FREE on SQUASHTV.

Matthew, 42, is looking forward to meeting 17-year-old Bryant on the glass court at the East Wintergarden, the scene of so many major triumphs for the Yorkshire legend down the years.

Last year Matthew enjoyed his time on court in a special Dunlop Challenge against France’s Gregory Gaultier, who he beat in a tough 2010 final at Canary Wharf 24 hours after an epic semi-final battle with James Willstrop.

“I always enjoy coming down to Canary Wharf and will be playing Jonah in a match that will showcase a change of eras,” said Matthew, who has fond memories of that 2010 triumph.

“Beating Greg was my first win at Canary Wharf and I surprised myself by how well I backed up after a two-hour semi-final against James. That was the first of six titles but it was the least likely after what had gone on the day before.”

Matthew went on to beat Peter Barker in the 2011 final, overcame Willstrop in two finals in 2012 and 2014, stopped Germany’s Simon Rosner in 2015 and achieved his sixth title in 2017 against Egypt’s Fares Dessouky, the current reigning champion.

“Having a 100 per cent record in Canary Wharf finals is a very special achievement,” added Matthew.

 “Generally, I had just under a 50 per cent conversion rate in all of my other PSA finals, but looking back at that era you were always likely to face guys like Gaultier, Amr Shabana, Ramy Ashour, Mohamed ElShorbagy or James at the quarter-final stage.

“I played the first year at Canary Wharf in 2004 but I didn’t do so well in those early years. 

“I found it one of the hardest tournaments to play in the first round.  The court was always super hot and bouncy, and with a packed crowd from day one every lower ranked player was out to impress. And there were no easy games. 

“I used to travel down on the Sunday, have a little hit on the Monday morning and the first round was always a struggle. 

“In later years we would have the Monday off because the draw was split over two days and then I’d go from strength to strength from the Wednesday onwards.

“By the time of the final I was firing on all cylinders, relishing it all and feeding off the amazing atmosphere generated by the crowd.

“The first day was always so tough but by the end I was loving it! It tested you, but also brought out the best in you.”

Bryant is also looking forward to the Dunlop Challenge match, saying: “I am very excited to be playing Nick, a true legend of our game, in such an iconic venue in front of one of the most atmospheric crowds in the PSA Tour.”

Watch the pair in action for FREE on SQUASHTV tonight – live from 18:00 (GMT).

By Alan Thatcher

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