AN emotional Ramy Ashour became the first Egyptian winner of the British Open since 1966 as he claimed the title at his second attempt.
It wasn't plain sailing for the world number one, who was troubled by Frenchman Gregory Gaultier, a previous British Open champion himself who called on that experience to take the first game 11-7.
Ashour looked frustrated by Gaultier in the opening exchanges and often spoke to himself in between points as he looked to raise his game.
Gaultier tried to continue where he had left off from the first, but he was unable to attack the ball as early in the second with Ashour becoming more patient on the attack.
As the Egyptian forced the Frenchman into making more errors, Ashour grew in confidence and finished the second game off 11-4 after an impressive spell of forehand drops left Gaultier beaten.
Gaultier started the third with more aggression, and with Ashour making more errors than usual, he took a 7-5 lead.
The match looked to be swinging in the Frenchman's favour at that point, but as Ashour remained patient, he worked his way back to 10-7 before closing out the game to be 2-1 up.
The two went point for point in an enthralling fourth game, as a wicked volley nick from Gaultier nosed him in front.
But Ashour, who had won every major title apart from the British Open, was in no mood to see the contest levelled, and eventually saw off his opponent 11-8.
"There's a famous quote, the game is just a game, it's what you play for that matters, and I've been preparing for eight weeks for this tournament. I've had lots of hard times over the last two weeks I'm really proud of myself for what I've achieved," Ashour said afterwards.
"Winning this prestigious title is one of the happiest moments of my life, if not the happiest. "I've experienced waking up in the morning every day with such a heavy heart and a heavy spirit, to train as hard as I can with lots of issues in my mind.
"These kind of moments teach you a lot and I've learnt a lot.
"This is something I'll always remember."
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