Last one before Christmas ...

The entry at this year's Mamut English Open may have seemed a little below the usual standard on account of the proximity of Christmas no doubt, but England's world championship winning side are out in force and it was only recently that James Willstrop and Nick Matthew contested the final of the US open championship.

Add the fact that four of the last eight in the World Championships in Bermuda are in Sheffield, that John White and Alex Gough ... fighting ageism as hard as Raymond's mother - as in Everybody loves Raymond - are also present and suddenly the draw looks more than healthy.

The leading professionals are used to combined pressure of travelling and playing, but arriving home today after such a climatic win, Matthew, Willstrop and Peter Barker will need mental strength ... not for these uncomplaining and unspoiled athletes any rotation system based on two games a week.

A Willstrop-Matthew final is indicated, but there are plenty of playing obstacles besides the travel and the anti climax .. The aforementioned veterans are a handful and the rest of the first round players do not give way lightly. Willstrop has Davide Bianchetti and Renan Lavigne in his path, Barker has friend Daryl Selby and Gough. Matthew has Jon Kemp/Bradley Ball before taking on past champion White.

"David's a class act. I played a great match and put him under pressure. Losing was no disgrace - but it put the pressure on my team-mates! I would say that we won the title because we wanted it more than anybody else!"



"It was better than last time. We had a beer or two after the final, and then on the long flight back, we celebrated with champagne, kindly donated by BA!

"It hasn't been the ideal preparation for the English Open, but I'm just going to try and relax and enjoy it. I've got a tough first round, against the Italian number one Davide Bianchetti - but I'll try and give him the respect he deserves.

"Having been with Nick and Peter in a team for the past week, it'll be weird if we have to play against each other in Sheffield - especially after one of the best experiences we could ever wish to have."

On the back of what they have just done, it can't be easy, but they have shown what they are made of and that sort of commitment may well see them through. Several possible finals would be acceptable, but I suspect Matthew / Willstrop final would satisfy most. Matthew local, both Yorkshire, numbers 5 and 6 in the world, capable of beating anybody, and their matches are invariably are of high quality.

I suspect we will soon know whether their exertions in Chennai have been too much. No doubt, come next Wednesday delayed celebrations will be in full swing.

First round draw:

[1] James Willstrop (Eng) v Davide Bianchetti (Ita)
[7] Renan Lavigne (Fra) v Qualifier

[4] Peter Barker (Eng) v Daryl Selby (Eng)
[5] Alex Gough (Wal) v Qualifier

[6] Shahier Razik (Can) v Chris Simpson (Eng)
[3] John White (Sco) v Qualifier

[8] Bradley Ball (Eng) v Jonathan Kemp (Eng)
[2] Nick Matthew (Eng) v Qualifier

Full draws