World Squash 2017: Nick Matthew avoids early exit in Manchester

 
Nick Matthew has challenged the next generation to "step up to the plate" in recent years - but England's No 1 nearly came unstuck against one such young pretender as the World Championships began on Sunday.
Fifth-seeded Matthew, playing his last event in the sport's flagship event before retirement, was taken the distance by George Parker, a 21-year-old from Leicestershire, in a 60-minute duel at the National Squash Centre.
Matthew, 37, eventually won through 11-2, 8-11, 10-12, 11-3, 11-6 against the English qualifier to set up a second round clash against Hong Kong's Max Lee, a player he faced at the same stage when the former champion won his third world title in Manhester in 2013.
Matthew lost only two games on his way to the final then. On Sunday, he found himself one game from a surprise exit against a player who was handed a six-month ban by England Squash last year for a variety of disciplinary reasons.
That Parker has emerged from his time off court to regain some of his undoubted talent is a welcome sign for the future.
For now, this year is all about Matthew as the tournaments begin to run out on the great Yorkshireman. “You don’t want to take away from your opponent’s performance but mentally I wasn’t at the races at all," said a relieved Matthew.

“After the first game I just sort of switched off and I thought it was going to be easier than what it was. I should know better than that and hopefully it will get me into the tournament now.

“The thing I’m most annoyed about is giving him that sniff in the first place, where you are one-nil up and comfortable, to open that door and give him that opportunity, I felt like it was a gift."
Matthew was handed a potential gift after 11th seed Simon Rosner of Germany was beaten by young Qatari Abdulla Al Tamimi. Rosner was a potential opponent in the last 16.
"The goal is to get to Manchester Central and then take it from there," added Matthew, with the glass court venue adding tournament gloss from the quarter-final stages.
Meanwhile the women's World Championship starts on Monday with Laura Massaro, the 2013 champion, opening her account against Belgian qualifier Nele Gilis.