England's James Willstrop was beaten in the final of the British Grand Prix on Monday by world number one Ramy Ashour.

Yorkshireman Willstrop, who was seeded fifth going into the competition, was beaten 11-7 3-11 11-3 11-5 by his Egyptian opponent.

"He's got my number at the minute," said Willstrop. "It is such a letdown when you cannot produce."

The tournament is the biggest in Europe this year and took place at the National Squash Centre in Manchester.

It was Willstrop's 11th meeting with Ashour and their fourth in 2010.

The 27-year-old Englishman, the world number six, claimed an unexpected place in the final after defeating France's world number five Gregory Gaultier in a 100-minute semi-final marathon - and he led 7-3 in the opening game of Monday's final.

I wasn't physically good enough - I don't know why James Willstrop

But Ashour, the 22-year-old from Cairo who reclaimed the world number one ranking this month from Willstrop's England team-mate Nick Matthew, immediately turned things round by taking the next eight points in a row to win the game.

In a remarkable reversal of fortunes, it was crowd favourite Willstrop who then came out firing - racing to game ball at 10-0 before Ashour picked up a couple of points to prevent a whitewash.

At one game apiece, a more assured Ashour returned for the third and Willstrop seemed unable to match the speed and accuracy of Egypt's latest squash star. After 40 minutes, it was second seed Ashour who raised his hands in triumph to celebrate his victory.

"It was too physical - he was just too good," added Willstrop.

"I wasn't physically good enough today - I don't know why. I expected to come out stronger. I gave it everything I could."

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