WORLD No. 5 Nick Matthew yesterday endorsed Chris Simpson’s potential after ending the Guernseyman’s run in the British Open.

The number four seed from Sheffield, who made history in 2006 by becoming the first home winner of the title for 67 years, was given an early scare by the 22-year-old Sarnian in the main all-glass court at the National Squash Centre in Manchester.

Simpson took Matthew to 10-all in the first game before his illustrious opponent edged it 12-10.

The former champion then took control, taking the second and third games 11-2, 11-5 to close out the match in 41 minutes.

‘We’ve got a good bunch of up-and-coming players pushing us hard and Chris is one of them,’ Matthew said.

‘Every single rally I had to push hard – all credit to him,’ he added.

Simpson, who admitted to still not being 100% physically following illness, enjoyed the occasion and the chance to mix it with the best. ‘The first game was really tight and I played really well,’ he said.

‘I played probably the best rally of my life to save game point at 10-9 down, but then I served out like an absolute amateur – something I have not done for so long.