Nick Matthew overcame James Willstrop 8-11 11-8 7-11 11-3 12-10 in an epic final to win his second British Open title in the past four years.

In the first all-English final for 70 years, Matthew finally prevailed in a contest lasting just over two hours.

Willstrop lost the final from match point up for the second straight year.

He came back from 2-6 down in the final game to lead 10-9, but Matthew found a brilliant backhand kill to avert the danger and went on to seal victory.

Willstrop had beaten world number one Karim Darwish and three-time world champion Amr Shabana en route to his showdown with Matthew in Manchester.

The 26-year-old also had two match points against Australia's David Palmer in Liverpool in last year's final.

Matthew, 29, also won the British Open title in 2006, beating France's Thierry Lincou.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version