England’s three-time World Champion Nick Matthew is determined to be in 'peak condition' when the season-ending PSA Dubai World Series Finals gets underway at Dubai Opera between June 6-10.
The former World No.1 – who qualified fifth in the PSA Road to Dubai Standings – was knocked out of the tournament at the group stage last year after struggling to recover from injury in time for the event.
But the 36-year-old is focused on an improved performance this year as he aims to win a title that has so far eluded him during a glittering career.
“My goal for the season was to qualify for Dubai – so I’m delighted with that,” said Matthew.
“I had a few injury problems going into the event last year which meant I was lacking match fitness, so I’m doing everything I can to make sure I go there this year feeling sharp.
“There’s no score to settle or anything like that. I know how tough it is to qualify and to make it with one event left was huge and now I'm trying to peak for it and give myself a shot at that title.
“It’s a huge title and one I won’t have many more opportunities to play in and being in the Opera – as the first sport ever – is fantastically exciting for all of us as well.”
The World Series Finals brings together the top eight players from the Men’s and Women’s PSA Road To Dubai Standings to compete in a round-robin best-of-three series for a place in the knockout semi-finals and beyond.
And with only two players progressing from each group Matthew is expecting a tough challenge from the outset.
“Sometimes my best results have come after a tough first round and the World Series Finals means that you have to start strong," he said, "If you can win the first match you take the pressure off and settle into it.
“The best of three is fast paced and you have to be sharp from day one. The nature of the events means that anyone can win and the groups are really tough, so I expect it to be brutal.”
The PSA Dubai World Series Finals takes place from June 6-10, 2017 with the tournament match schedule to be announced on Monday June 5. All of the action will be shown live on SQUASHTV (rest of world) and Eurosport Player (Europe only).
Group stage matches will take place at 3:00pm, 3:45pm, 16:45pm and 17:30pm (Group A) and 21:30pm, 22:15pm, 23:15pm and 00:00am (Group B) between June 6-8 with the semi-finals due to take place from 22:00pm on June 9. The finals will commence at 22:00pm local time on June 10.
Tickets for the World Series Finals can be purchased at https://dubaiopera.etixdubai.
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