World Squash 2013: Nick Matthew beats Frenchman Gregory Gaultier to win third world title in Manchester Matthew rode the wave of a 1,500 partisan crowd inside Manchester Central to prevail brilliantly 11-9, 11-9, 11-13, 7-11, 11-2 over 111 minutes. The list he joined after claiming his hat-trick was equally impressive: Geoff Hunt, Jahangir and Jansher Khan and Amr Shabana. Conversely, this was Gaultier's fourth defeat at the final hurdle, famously losing the 2006 final after holding five match balls. Yesterday, the Frenchman wasted crucial leads at the back end of the opening two games. Matthew came back brilliantly from 9-7 and 8-6 down as the charismatic Gaultier offered a rueful smile at the break. Matthew even held Championship point in the third after hauling back a 10-7 deficit. But Gaultier upped the tempo during a ferocious spell of attacking squash to snatch a brilliant third. The world No.2 then continued his fluidity in the fourth and finished the game with a winner into the nick and a salute to the crowd. However, the effects of only three hours" sleep after failing to produce for anti-doping following his semi-final then caught up with Gaultier in the decider, Matthew romping home in seven minutes. David Pearson, his long-time coach, added: "He is one of the greats now, because this has never been expected from him." Rod Gilmour Journalist +44 7779 784 883 Twitter: @_rodgilmour Web: www.gilmourmedia.com Shortlisted for 2012 William Hill Sports Book of the Year* Read Attachment ATT45785-20131103-203054-001 (text/html)