Commonwealth Games: Nick Matthew beats England team-mate James Willstrop for squash gold
Last Updated: 28/07/14 7:17pm
Nick Matthew retained his Commonwealth Games squash title after a rip-roaring five-set final against England team-mate James Willstrop.
World No 2 Matthew, from Sheffield, triumphed 11-9 8-11 11-5 6-11 11-5 in a repeat of the final in Delhi four years ago.
The England flag bearer seized the lead early in the decider and held firm for a win which completed an English sweep of the medals after Peter Barker beat India's Saurav Ghosal in the bronze medal play-off.
Matthew edged a fiesty first set 11-9 after a minor delay when he lost a contact lens and an angry confrontation with the referee when Willstrop was awarded a point after clattering the ball into Matthew's legs.
But Willstrop responded well and remained ahead throughout a tight second set which he eventually edged 11-8 on his third game ball.
Matthew took early control of the third, streaking into an 8-1 lead and holding off a fleeting Willstrop recovery to take it 11-5, but again Willstrop responded by dominating the fourth to force the decider.
Silver for Massaro
Earlier, England's Laura Massaro succumbed to irresistible Malaysian world No 1 Nicol David in the women's squash final at the Scotstoun Sports Campus.
The 30-year-old Massaro, was crowned world champion earlier this year, but rued a missed opportunity at game point in the opener as David ran out a 12-10 11-2 11-5 winner to claim Commonwealth gold for a second time.
Massaro, from Great Yarmouth, had made a strong start, building an 8-4 lead in the opener before David hit back, and the favourite surged through the second set with the minimum of difficulty.
Physically and mentally she's tough to break down. You've got no chance if you're not playing the best you could and I wouldn't say I was at my best today.
Massaro on David
There was more pain in the third set for world No 2 Massaro, who needed treatment after being accidentally hit by a David back-swing when she trailed 4-3.
David, who has won seven of the last nine world titles and reigned as world No 1 for 99 months, took a stroke which put her 5-3 up and it was a lead the Malaysian never looked like relinquishing as she completed a successful defence of her title.
Massaro said: "I think Nicol was better. Obviously she was - she won and I didn't.
"I definitely think the first game was the most crucial and I was disappointed not to convert that game ball that I had. Things like that can turn matches. After that she settled down very well and it was always going to be difficult then.
"Physically and mentally she's tough to break down. You've got no chance if you're not playing the best you could and I wouldn't say I was at my best today."
Badminton silver
England had to settle for silver in the badminton team competition as defending champions Malaysia came from behind to win 3-1.
The match was not without controversy as Malaysia benefited from a dubious line call at a critical stage of the pivotal and tight men's doubles rubber, helping them into a 2-1 lead.
Malaysia edged a close men's singles contest after England had opened with a win in the mixed doubles, but the women's singles was more one-sided and the top seeds powered through to gold.
The tie was locked at 1-1 when Tan Wee Kiong and Goh Wei Shem beat Chris Adcock and Andy Ellis 21-19 21-17 in the men's doubles.
World No 75 Sarah Walker then proved no match for Jing Yi Tee, losing 21-16 21-17 as Malaysia completed a hat-trick of Commonwealth titles.
Singapore won the bronze with a 3-2 victory against India.
