Ryan falls at final hurdle

World number one Peter Nicol proved a hurdle too high for Ireland's Derek Ryan in the final of the Kuwait Open last night, beating the Irish champion by three sets to one after 66 minutes on court.

Ryan, though, put up a superb battle against the Scot, taking the first set 15-14, after trailing 12-8, and came close to stretching his lead in the second. Nicol, however, gradually took control of a match played at blistering pace and fought off the challenge of the man he beat with considerably more ease at last week's Al-Ahram International in Cairo.

"When I came back from 128 down in the first, by playing a load of winners, my confidence was sky high, but Peter ended up dictating the pace and once that happens you end up working so much harder than the other guy that you run out of steam," said Ryan.

"I played really well though and had my chances to take the second but I just ran out of legs in the end - the pace of the match was unbelievable. I tried really hard but he got on top of me and by the fourth he was in control. It was torture in the end."

"I've another eight months to go so I've just got to keep it going. I lost to Jonathan Power (world number three) in Hong Kong and Peter (Nicol) in Egypt, so at least I'm not being beaten by guys ranked below me or near me. That gives me a lot of confidence - now I just have to build on it."

Ryan now has a short break before flying out to Pakistan in a fortnight's time for two tournaments, including the Pakistan Open.