Matthew king of New York as top seeds tumble

Nick Matthew pulled off one of the biggest wins of his career last night, defeating James Willstrop in the final of the US Open at the Roseland Ballroom in New York.

The first all-English US Open final since Lee Beachill defeated Peter Nicol in 2004 was not the climax to the tournament many would have predicted, in an event littered with seedings casualties ...

Matthew's wins over favourite Ramy Ashour and Frenchman Thierry Lincou in the previous rounds had given him no easy ride to the final - but is that ever the way in today's men's game, when competition at the top is of such a phenomenal standard?

This will surely give Matthew the confidence to try and consistently mix it with the big boys; in Willstrop's words he was "absolutely outstanding" on the night.

When the Sheffield man puts together a strong run (and avoids injury), as he did in the 2006 British Open, his attacking game gathers momentum and intimidates opponents.

Given the current Egyptian assault on the rankings, it is good to see Willstrop and Matthew in major finals, filling the (unaccustomed in recent years) English void left by Lee Beachill's drop in form and Peter Nicol's retirement.

US Open 2007