England & France Share European Honours In Nottingham

The perennial squash rivalry between England and France surfaced in both finals of the 2017 AJ Bell ESF European Individual Championships in the English city of Nottingham where honours were ultimately shared.

Top seed Camille Serme, the world No.3 from France, coasted through the women's draw without dropping a game. In the final at the University of Nottingham, Serme despatched England's event debutante Millie Tomlinson, the second seed ranked 20 places lower, 11-1, 11-3, 11-3.

It was the 28-year-old from Creteil's seventh successive appearance in the final - and her sixth title in a row.

Compatriot Gregory Gaultier was celebrating his 13th appearance in the men's final since 2004 and looking for his 10th title.

In their 42nd meeting since contesting the British Junior U16 Open semi-finals in 1998, the top-seeded Frenchman faced Englishman James Willstrop, the No.2 seed - and took the opening game.

But former world number one Willstrop reclaimed the initiative against the world's current top-ranked player, ultimately closing out the match 7-11, 11-8, 11-8, 2-11, 11-8 after 68 minutes.

It was Willstrop's first appearance in the championship since losing to Gaultier in the 2004 semi-finals - and his first title triumph.