Despite first achieving a world top five ranking in October 2004, it was in 2006 that Nick Matthew made an indelible mark on squash history when the Englishman, seeded six, upset third-seeded Frenchman Thierry Lincou in the final of the British Open in Nottingham to become the first home-grown champion of the world's most prestigious event for 67 years!

"This has to be the pinnacle of my achievements," added the then 25-year-old from Sheffield who had become the first true English champion since Jim Dear won the title in 1939.

The triumph rounded off a sensational year for the Yorkshireman, which began when he won the British National title for the first time - later becoming the only person to hold the National and Open titles simultaneously.

It also included a final berth in the Tournament of Champions at Grand Central Station in New York, where he made his breakthrough in the quarter-finals after upsetting No2 seed and former champion Jonathon Power in what transpired to be the colourful Canadian's farewell PSA Tour match when he then announced his retirement!

Matthew's 2007 campaign started disappointingly when he suffered a serious ankle injury in his first match of the year at the Canadian Classic in Toronto. Intense treatment for the torn ligament in his right ankle enabled him to make a comeback at the KL Open in Malaysia - where he reached the semi-finals.