With the British Open just four days away, we’ve had a look back through the archives at some of the best matches that have taken place within the last 15 years at the prestigious event. These matches include the last English women’s winner, Laura Massaro, take on the new and old guard in Nour Elsherbini and Nicol David as well as watching Mohamed Elshorbagy take on European legends Gregory Gaultier and Nick Matthew. Plus a few more amazing battles.
One thing that the British Open has always provided is amazing squash and iconic matches. Well be hoping for plenty more of both next week as the tournament heads back to Birmingham for the second successive year as top seeds Ali Farag and Nour Elsherbini will look to defend their titles.
Mohamed Elshorbagy v Gregory Gaultier – 2015 Final
In a mammoth 94-minute final, Mohamed Elshorbagy claimed his first ever British Open title in 2015 as he beat ‘The French General’ Gregory Gaultier in a five game epic in Hull. The Egyptian was forced to come back from 2-1 down in the tie and with no love lost between the two, the drama entertained the onlooking crowd.
Laura Massaro v Nicol David – 2013 Final
England’s Laura Massaro was hoping to end a 22-year draught for an English women’s in the 2013 British Open. Her task couldn’t have been much tougher than having to face 8x World Champion Nicol David, who in turn was looking for her fifth British Open title.
With plenty of friends and family cheering her on in the crowd, could the Lancashire woman secure the win for the adoring crowd?
David Palmer v James Willstrop – 2008 Final
A squash tale that has been told throughout the years is the British Open final from 2008 in Liverpool between David Palmer and James Willstrop. The Australian led 2-0 but Willstrop fought his way back into the match to level at 2-2 before holding match balls of his own. The dogged Palmer wouldn’t lie down however and sealed the win in 111 minutes.
Nour Elsherbini v Nouran Gohar – 2021 Final
Egyptian duo Nouran Gohar and Nour Elsherbini have taken their rivalry to new heights during the last two years and are still the dominant forces in the women’s game today. However, a particular match that stands out in their early meetings is the British Open final from 2021 where ElSherbini held on well to take a 64 minute clash and claim a third British title.
Nick Matthew v Mohamed Elshorbagy – 2014 Semi
In a full blooded affair between Nick Matthew and Mohamed Elshorbagy in 2014, there was only one place up for grabs in the final between these two and both looked willing to die for it. Quality squash, incredible athleticism and fierce competitiveness fuelled this semi-final which the Englishman took in another five-set classic.
Camille Serme v Nour Elsherbini – 2015 Final
France’s Camille Serme played one of the tournaments of her life at the British Open 2015. She overcame No.4 seed Nour Elsherbini in the quarter finals before going on to beat top seed Nicol David in the semis and No.2 seed Laura Massaro in the final. As far as winning your first British Open title goes, she certainly had to do it the hard way.
Miguel Rodriguez v Mohamed Elshorbagy – 2018 Final
A fairytale story took place in 2018 as ‘The Colombian Cannonball’ Miguel Rodriguez became the first South American to ever win the prestigious British Open. Rodriguez had downed No.2 seed Ali Farag earlier in the event and showed his tenacity and flair to defeat World No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy in the final.
Laura Massaro v Nour Elsherbini – 2018 Semi
A battle that ebbed and flowed throughout the years was reignited once again in the 2018 women’s semi-finals as Laura Massaro again took on Nour Elsherbini in a bid to reach another British Open final in Hull. Massaro managed to win two tiebreak games 13-11 to take a 2-1 lead and place one foot in the final, but ‘The Warrior Princess’ was not going away as she completed the comeback to silence the home crowd.
The 2024 British Open gets underway on Sunday 2 June from Birmingham with all of the round one action available to watch live on SQUASHTV. You can also head to the replay section to watch any of these amazing matches back in full.
