Nick Matthew wrote his name into the history books as he became only the ninth player to win 30 PSA World Tour titles with victory in the British Grand Prix final.

Three-time world champion Matthew, who retained his Commonwealth Games singles title at Glasgow 2014, was facing Frenchman Mathieu Castagnet in Monday’s final.

And after coming through a gruelling 103-minute semi-final with top-seed Gregory Gaultier, Matthew enjoyed an easier ride in the showpiece, beating Castagnet 11-7 11-6 11-5 in 50 minutes in Manchester.

"It is a great way to end the year," said Matthew. "It was a great match against Mathieu – it's credit to him that the crowd were cheering loudly for him at the end."

Castagnet, who beat Colombia's Miguel Angel Rodriguez 11-2 16-16 13-11 in his semi-final, added: "I didn't expect to reach a final this week and it was such a great pleasure for me to make it.

"I did my best but he [Matthew] was too strong for me. Even when I was pushing hard he was playing well and I want to congratulate him."

© Sportsbeat 2014