British National Squash Championships: 9th to 14th February 2010

Duncalf & Waters Set To Meet In Third British Nationals Final

Yorkshire's Jenny Duncalf and Londoner Alison Waters – ranked three and five, respectively in the world – are set to meet in the women's final of the British National Squash Championships in Manchester this month for the third time in the past three years, according to the draw which is issued today (Wednesday).

The 2010 British National Squash Championships will take place at the National Squash Centre at Sportcity from 9-14 February.

Both women are at the top of their game: Defending champion Duncalf, winner of the title in 2007 and 2009, leapt to a career-high No2 in the world rankings in December after two successive wins over the sport's most dominant woman Nicol David, the Malaysian who has topped the rankings since August 2006.

Meanwhile Alison Waters, champion in 2008 and bidding to reach the final for the fifth time since 2005, has already notched up one WISPA World Tour title this year and – after hitting a career-best world No5 ranking this month - believes she is "playing some of the best squash I have played".

Favourite Duncalf opens her 2010 campaign against a qualifier – and is set to face 11-times Irish champion Madeline Perry, the third seed, in the semi-finals. The 32-year-old from Banbridge, near Belfast, also boasts a win over Nicol David – on the same National Squash Centre all-glass court, during last year's British Open – and ended a 45-month losing run by beating Duncalf in the Premier League last November.

Second seed Waters also lines up against a qualifier in the first round – and will expect a tough test in the semi-finals against England team-mate Laura Massaro, the fourth seed from Preston in Lancashire who will no doubt be the crowd's favourite.

Women's 1st round draw:
[1] Jenny Duncalf (Yorks) v Qualifier
[7] Lauren Briggs (Essex) v Qualifier
[3] Madeline Perry (Ireland) v Lauren Siddall (Yorks)
[5] Tania Bailey (Lincs) v Fiona Moverley (Yorks)
[8] Sarah Kippax (Cheshire) v Victoria Lust (Beds)
[4] Laura Massaro (Lancs) v Qualifier
[6] Dominique Lloyd-Walter (Middx) v Emma Beddoes (Warwicks)
[2] Alison Waters (Middx) v Qualifier

Tickets for the British National Squash Championships – Manchester 2010 can be booked online at www.isportgroup.com/ticketing, or by telephone on 0844-870 0000 - or for further help and information email: info@isportgroup.com

For more general details of the 2010 National Championships, please visit the official website: www.nationalsquashchamps.co.uk

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02-02-10
World No2 Matthew & ToC Champion Willstrop Kept Apart In Nationals' Draw

A repeat of last year's historic British Open final between Englishmen Nick Matthew and James Willstrop is the dream prospect of the climax of next month's British National Squash Championships in Manchester, according to the men's draw which is revealed today (Friday).

The Yorkshiremen and England team-mates' rivalry is the liveliest talking point in British squash since the pair fell out after their acrimonious British Open clash on the National Squash Centre's all-glass court last September.

Matthew won the title and went on to reach two in the world rankings - while this week Willstrop celebrated one of the biggest title triumphs of his career by winning the celebrated Tournament of Champions crown in New York following successive defeats of three Egyptian world number ones - Amr Shabana, Karim Darwish and Ramy Ashour.

But while Matthew, from Sheffield, is named as top seed in the British National Championships, world number seven Willstrop is the third seed - behind Londoner Peter Barker, who is ranked one place higher.

However, the draw suggests that Willstrop and Barker will face each other in the semi-finals before the winner reaches a predicted showdown with Matthew in the final.

Nick Matthew begins the defence of his title against a qualifier before a projected quarter-final clash with close friend and England team-mate Alister Walker, the Leeds-based fifth seed from Gloucestershire who is ranked 12 in the world.

Another England team-mate is likely to stand in the 29-year-old Yorkshireman's way in the semi-finals - fourth seed Adrian Grant, the world No10 from London whom he beat in last year's final.

Tournament of Champions champion Willstrop, 26, from Leeds, takes on Irish champion John Rooney in the opening round before a possible quarter-final meeting with eighth seed Joey Barrington, son of the illustrious squash legend and former national champion Jonah Barrington.

Peter Barker opens his campaign against Derbyshire's Joel Hinds and would be expected to reach fellow Essex player Daryl Selby, the sixth seed, in the last eight.

The 2010 British National Squash Championships will take place at the National Squash Centre in Manchester from 9-14 February.

Men's 1st round draw:
[1] Nick Matthew (Yorks) v Qualifier
[9] Tom Richards (Surrey) v Stephen Meads (Berks)
[5] Alister Walker (Glos) v Qualifier
[13] Alan Clyne (Scotland) v Qualifier
[4] Adrian Grant (Kent) v Qualifier
[11] Chris Simpson (Hants) v Scott Handley (Oxon)
[7] Jonathan Kemp (Shropshire) v Simon Parke (Yorks)
[15] Laurence Delasaux (Yorks) v Qualifier
[16] Joe Lee (Surrey) v Andrew Whipp (Cheshire)
[8] Joey Barrington (Somerset) v Qualifier
[12] Robbie Temple (Glos) v Qualifier
[3] James Willstrop (Yorks) v John Rooney (Ireland)
[14] Adrian Waller (Herts) v Qualifier
[6] Daryl Selby (Essex) v Eddie Charlton (Notts)
[10] Chris Ryder (Herts) v Arthur Gaskin (Ireland)
[2] Peter Barker (Essex) v Joel Hinds (Derbyshire)

Tickets for the British National Squash Championships – Manchester 2010 can be booked online at www.isportgroup.com/ticketing, or by telephone on 0844-870 0000 - or for further help and information email: info@isportgroup.com

For more general details of the 2010 National Championships, please visit the official website: www.nationalsquashchamps.co.uk

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SAUDI INTERNATIONAL

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(PLENTY OF PICTURES IN TOURNAMENTS)
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18-12-09

Ramy Rallies To Saudi Success - & World No1 Ranking

It was a dramatic 110-minute final that brought the 2009 Saudi International to a fitting climax today (Friday) at Sunset Beach in Al-Khobar in Saudi Arabia when Egyptian Ramy Ashour not only clinched the $250,000 PSA World Tour Super Series squash title in sensational style, but ensured that he would become number one in the PSA world rankings in January 2010 for the first time.

Described by Professional Squash Association (PSA) CEO Alex Gough as "the most incredible, most tense match I have seen in a long time", the clash was watched not only by a packed - and partisan - crowd at Sunset Beach willing 'local' hero Ashour to win, but also by thousands of squash enthusiasts around the world via the new internet TV streaming service www.psasquashtv.com launched by the PSA at the final Super Series event of the year.

Top seed Ashour was facing England's third seed Nick Matthew - with both players eyeing up both the winner's cheque of $37,400 and the next world number one ranking.

The match was not only Ashour's longest of the tournament - but his longest all-time (by almost 20 minutes) on the PSA World Tour.

"I think we both played well, and to be honest, this is probably the toughest match I ever played," conceded the new champion to the official website www.atcosquash.com afterwards. "And I think it’s good that Nick and I are pushing each other that hard, because we’ll keep playing for a long time.

"I was able to relax at the start of each game, but when I got the lead, then I started thinking, and started to get all tense, and didn’t go for my shots!

"Tonight, it could have been anybody’s, it was the most amazing match ever! But at the end, it was so slippery out there! The sweat was coming out of our bodies, our shirts, our shoes!!! Maybe it was my shoes I don’t know, but I kept slipping on there!

"I’m so happy about winning this title, that’s something I’ve been working hard all my life. It was my dream, my brother, my mum, my dad, my coaches, and all the people that have been pushing and supporting me all those years."

Despite missing out on the world number one spot, world No4 Matthew has the consolation of knowing that he will rise to a career-high No2 in the January list.

"We fought hard, really we fought all the way, but there is an immense respect between us too," said the 29-year-old from Sheffield. "I think we both played well tonight, and there was the smallest of margin at the end.

"I had Adrian (Grant) in my corner, he was pushing me hard - but at some point, I had the impression that we were two against 2,000! Still, I kept imagining everybody back in Sheffield, looking at the match at the club on the big screen, and supporting me, and shouting for me. So I kept on telling myself, come on, push, just push, for them. And that gave me a lot of strength."

"All credit to Ramy - he deserves this victory, and the title. Although, we were smiling with Ziad (Al-Turki) during the trophy ceremony, when he said that he worked all his life to get that title, he is only 22! I really have worked all my life, so I think he should have let me have it then!

Alex Gough stated that it was the most incredible match he had seen in a long time. "Considering what was at stake, both players played fearlessly and produced squash of the highest quality," added the former world number four.

"It's an old cliché, but it was a shame someone had to lose - but tonight Ramy was the one who held up in the final throws. Tough for Nick to take, but he can be proud at being as close as he was.

"2010 is set up to be an incredible year all around and we have the players to elevate the sport to where it deserves," concluded the PSA CEO.

For more details, visit the official website www.atcosquash.com

Result Final:
[1] Ramy Ashour (Egy) bt [3] Nick Matthew (Eng) 11/7, 7/11,
11/9, 9/11, 11/8 (110m)

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17-12-09

It's another Saudi Dream Final

(Text from Squashsite.co.uk)



For the fourth time in five editions the winner of the Saudi International will become the new world number one in January, after Nick Matthew and Ramy Ashour kept alive their bids for two of the top prizes in squash here at Sunset Beach tonight.

First up was Matthew, who prevailed in four games against fellow Englishman Adrian Grant. Struggling to recover from food poisoning, Grant tested the world number four but in the end simply didn't have the energy to finish off the games.

Then it was the turn of crowd favourite Ramy Ashour, against Australian David Palmer who was appearing in his fourth successive Saudi semi-final. Palmer came close to taking each of the first two games, but to the crowd's delight Ashour prevailed in each before taking the third with some ease.

So tomorrow's final will see a new Saudi International champion, and a new World Number One ...

Results Semi-Finals:
[3] Nick Matthew (Eng) bt [8] Adrian Grant (Eng) 11/3, 3/11, 11/6, 11/7 (61m)

[1] Ramy Ashour (Egy) bt [4] David Palmer (Aus) 11/8,14/12, 11/3 (38m)

Full details: www.atcosquash.com




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14-12-09

Grand Opening

Day one of the final Super Series event of 2009 seemed to be progressing pretty much according to plan at Sunset Beach, as 13 matches on the outside courts yielded just one upset result as England's Jonathan Kemp beat 11th seed Laurens Jan Anjema in four games. Other than that the main incident was the effective 'sending off' of fiery Italian Davide Bianchetti at one game all and 10-all against Wael El Hindi.

Dusk saw the glass court come into play as Ramy Ashour, fresh from his victory in the PSA Masters in Mumbai, beat his elder brother Hisham, just as he had done in India, and local wildcard Naif Aburegah gave Peter Barker a decent runout before predictably falling in three games.

The main drama was left to the last match of the day as Amr Shabana, champion here in 2006 and 2007, called it a day at a game and 4-2 down to Joey Barrington, having failed to recover from the hamstring injury he picked up in Mumbai.

So Shabana joins Karim Darwish and Gregory Gaultier - world number one and two and last year's finalists here - on the injured list, leaving the door ajar for either Ramy or Nick Matthew to claim the title and with it the coveted world number one position in a few days' time ... but given what's happened so far, don't put any money on anything ...

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QATAR CLASSIC PICTURES IN TOURNAMENTS
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QATAR CLASSIC

Matthew & Duncalf Celebrate Qatar Classic Double

In a sensational day for English squash at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in the Qatar capital Doha, Nick Matthew and Jenny Duncalf both beat higher-ranked opponent in today's (Monday) finals of the Qatar Classic in straight games, to claim their biggest titles on the international Tours.

Matthew, fourth seed in the men's $147,500 PSA World Tour Super Series event, knocked out Karim Darwish, the defending champion from Egypt who has topped the world rankings for most of this year.

Earlier Duncalf, who like Matthew is also from Yorkshire, followed her second upset in two weeks over Malaysia's world number one Nicol David yesterday, to crush Australia's world No4 Rachael Grinham in the climax of the $74,000 WISPA World Tour championship.

Indeed, it took 27-year-old Duncalf, the world No6 from Harrogate, only 23 minutes to despatch Grinham 11-5, 11-3, 11-3 – thus reducing the 8-4 career head-to-head lead the Queenslander boasted before today's clash.

The stunning victory brings Duncalf's tally of Tour wins this month to three – following the Soho Square Championship success in Egypt on the first of the month, and her triumph in the US Open in New York just seven days later.

Winner of the British National Championship at the beginning of the year, Duncalf has enjoyed a remarkably consistent run on the WISPA Tour since last year's appearance in the Qatar Classic in October 2008 – reaching at least the quarter-finals in the 16 events since.

"I think it was a combination of me playing well and Rachael not being on today - she wasn't moving well and made quite a few errors," Duncalf told www.squashsite.co.uk after her career-best success.

"It's a funny sort of win - there's no adrenalin pumping or anything - but I've won the Qatar Classic, even though I can't quite believe it yet!

"I was thinking beforehand that this would be my 13th win a row, hoping it wouldn't be unlucky 13! I wish there was another tournament next week now!"

Nick Matthew has enjoyed a stunning return to top form after a nine-month layoff following shoulder surgery at the beginning of last year. But top seed Darwish boasted a 3-1 head-to-head record over the 29-year-old from Sheffield going into today's meeting.

However, while Matthew prevailed in a semi-final which lasted only a game and a half after his England team-mate opponent Peter Barker was forced to retire injured, Darwish reached the final following two hard five-game battles over former world champions Thierry Lincou, of France, and compatriot Ramy Ashour.

The final took 51 minutes, but it was Matthew who emerged triumphant in an 11-5, 12-10, 11-6 scoreline.

"Karim is such a great champion, he’s been the world number one for a long time and he’s played some fantastic games over the past years," said the new Qatar Classic men's champion. "Today, he was bound to be tired, having had had a couple of three-twos with Thierry and Ramy.

"I know I’ve had a bit of 'bad luck' recently with my injuries – but, for me, the glass is always half full. Actually, it’s always three-quarters full! I never let myself feel sorry for myself; there are things much more important that can happen to you than a little injury. Look at (Anthony) Ricketts and (Lee) Beachill - they had to give up because they had major troubles, so as long as it’s little things like that, I’m not complaining," added Matthew.

"I really would like to thank Neil (Guirey) who was here with me this week; my team back in Sheffield; and DP [David Pearson] for all the efforts they’ve been doing with me since I was a teenager. It’s nights like this one that makes it all worthwhile for us all."

The Qatar triumph brings Matthew's career Tour tally to ten titles, including the Swedish Open and British Open trophies this year.

Results Qatar Classic Finals:
[4] Jenny Duncalf (Eng) bt [2] Rachael Grinham (Aus)
11-5, 11-3, 11-3 (23m)
[4] Nick Matthew (Eng) bt [1] Karim Darwish (Egy)
11-5, 12-10, 11-6 (50m)

Follow the action from the PSA and WISPA World Tours live on WWW.PSALIVE.TV - the webstreaming service of both the Professional Squash Association and Women's International Squash Players' Association. Enjoy live action, replays, download archive matches and exclusive Live & Uncut DVDs
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22th November 09

Duncalf Delivers Double David Defeat In Doha

England's Jenny Duncalf celebrated her second upset over Nicol David in two weeks when she beat the world number one from Malaysia in five games in the women's semi-finals of the Qatar Classic, the $74,000 WISPA World Tour squash event at Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in the Qatar capital Doha.

The 27-year-old fourth seed from Harrogate in Yorkshire - who becomes the first player to beat the formidable David twice in succession since February 2006 - will now meet Australia's No2 seed Rachael Grinham in the final.

There will also be English interest in the final of the men's $147,500 PSA World Tour Super Series event where fourth seed Nick Matthew, also from Yorkshire, will face Egypt's defending champion Karim Darwish, the top seed.

Jenny Duncalf is enjoying the most consistent phase of her career - her berth in the last eight in Doha marking her 16th successive quarter-final appearance on the WISPA Tour since last year's Qatar Classic. And, after beating David for the first time in 19 attempts en-route to winning the US Open title for the first time earlier this month in New York, all eyes were on the pair's return match in Doha.

After dropping the first game, David took the next two and seemed to be back in control - on course to win the prestigious title for the fourth year in a row.

But Duncalf, no longer overawed by the 26-year-old from Penang who celebrated her 40th consecutive month at the top of the world rankings this month, regrouped and ultimately closed out the match 11-6, 2-11, 7-11, 11-3, 11-6 after 54 minutes.

"She had a pretty hard match against Laura yesterday - and I saw the heavy strap on her leg - so I don’t think she was at her best there," Duncalf explained to www.squashsite.co.uk later. "Still, she picks up more shots than everybody else on the tour!

"I was lucky in New York. I had such a gap that, when I started having the 'oh-my-God-I’m-going-to-win-against-Nicol-for-the-first-time-ever' thoughts, I was way ahead.

"But today, I didn’t have that gap, and I think it was an extremely good thing I already had a win - because I was able to keep it together at the end," added Duncalf, now in the 12th Tour final of her career and one match away from her third title success of the month!

Former world number one Rachael Grinham took just 29 minutes to ease into the 53rd WISPA final of her career, ending the brave run of Ireland's Madeline Perry.

The fifth seed from Belfast ousted England's No3 seed Alison Waters in the previous round. But Grinham was too strong in the semi, winning 11-6, 11-8, 11-7.

There was a more successful outcome for the title-holder in the men's event where favourite Karim Darwish prevailed 11-5, 4-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-7 in 64 minutes over fellow Egyptian Ramy Ashour, the third seed.

"We always have big matches, Ramy and I - we know each other’s game pretty inside out," said Darwish, winner of the Qatar title for the first time last year and now in the 27th Tour final of his career. "And when you are playing against such a great player as Ramy, if you are not 100% body wise, you’ve got to be smart!"

Darwish, who lost his world number one ranking this month to Frenchman Gregory Gaultier, will face Nick Matthew in the Englishman's first appearance in the final.

The 29-year-old from Sheffield took the opening game against England team-mate Peter Barker and was ahead in the second when the eighth-seeded Londoner was forced to concede the match - with the score standing at 11-5, 8-2 - due to a leg injury sustained at the Santiago Open earlier in the month.

Matthew is now celebrating his sixth appearance in a PSA final this year - and, with 2009 Tour successes already in the Swedish Open and British Open (and non-Tour triumphs in the World Games and British National Championships), the England number one's confidence will be at an all-time high.

Men's semi-finals:
[1] Karim Darwish (EGY) bt [3] Ramy Ashour (EGY) 11-5, 4-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-7 (64m)
[4] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [8] Peter Barker (ENG) 11-5, 8-2 ret.

Women's semi-finals:
[4] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) bt [1] Nicol David (MAS) 11-6, 2-11, 7-11, 11-3, 11-6 (54m)
[2] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [5] Madeline Perry (IRL) 11-6, 11-8, 11-7 (29m)

Follow the action from the PSA and WISPA World Tours live on WWW.PSALIVE.TV - the webstreaming service of both the Professional Squash Association and Women's International Squash Players' Association. Enjoy live action, replays, download archive matches and exclusive Live & Uncut DVDs

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Men's World Team Squash Championship, Odense, Denmark

Egypt Clinch World Team Championship Title In Denmark

Favourites Egypt clinched the 22nd Men's World Team Squash Championship title in Denmark - but the three-man team, which included three of the world's top four players, was taken the full distance before beating third seeds France 2/1 in the climax of the biennial World Squash Federation event at Squash Center Denmark in the city of Odense.

French number one Gregory Gaultier, the world number two, put the underdogs into an unexpected lead when he recovered from a game down to beat world number one Karim Darwish 8-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-2 in 53 minutes - a win which avenged the 26-year-old from Aix-en-Provence's defeat in last week's final of the PSA Super Series Platinum Sky Open in Cairo.

Ramy Ashour, the 2008 world champion from Cairo, soon brought Egypt back into contention by defeating France's third string Renan Lavigne 11-3, 11-4, 11-5 in just 23 minutes.

The decider featured Egypt's Amr Shabana and Frenchman Thierry Lincou, both former world champions and world number ones, and two of the game's most respected players. And the match could not have been more dramatic - with both players calling upon all their vast experience in an attempt clinch the title for their countries.

Honours were shared after the first two games - and Lincou had game balls from 10-7 in the third and 10-5 in the fourth.

But determined Shabana - a man not previously known for producing his best in team competitions - dug deeper than ever before to overcome his French opponent 11-6, 7-11, 12-10, 12-10 after 66 long minutes to claim the title for Egypt.

It was the Egyptians fourth time in the final since 1999, but only the second time that the now dominant nation in world squash has won the prestigious men's world title.

"There was so much pressure on us, everybody was telling us, you must win, you must win," an exhilarated Shabana told www.squashsite.co.uk afterwards. "So it’s such a relief to actually win the competition, after so many years trying - especially against France, a team with an amazing spirit.

"It means the world to me to win that title, after 10 years not winning it."

Ramy Ashour, the 22-year-old world number four who - incredibly - found himself playing third string for his country, added: "This is such a crucial moment for us, this is going to be a turning point for Egyptian Squash - and for Shabana, Karim, Wael, and myself, this is massive for us.

"We are so proud to have taken the title today, and we hope we are going to keep the cup for many, many years to come!"

Defending champions England, beaten by France in the semi-finals, suffered further ignominy in the play-off for third place when losing to fourth seeds Australia. The second seeds were weakened during the event by an ankle injury sustained by squad number one Nick Matthew, which ultimately ruled the world No5 out of the rest of the competition.

But James Willstrop put the title-holders into the lead with an 11-8, 11-2, 11-13, 11-2 win over David Palmer, the Australian number one who barely more than 12 hours earlier had endured an 86-minute marathon with Karim Darwish in the semi-finals.

But Australia bounced back when third string Cameron Pilley outlasted England reserve player Alister Walker 10-12, 15-13, 11-3, 6-11, 11-4 after 94 minutes - then Stewart Boswell clinched victory for the underdogs by beating England's Peter Barker 11-9, 10-12, 11-7, 12-10 in 56 minutes.

Pakistan beat South Africa 2/1 in the play-off for fifth place - thus producing their best result since finishing as runners-up in 1995. But it was also a courageous performance by South Africa, the 11th seeds who celebrated their best finish for eight years.

Italy also had cause for rejoicing after beating seventh seeds Canada in the 7th place play-off. Featuring two players making their debut for the country, the eighth seeds had only once before finished in the top 16.

USA lost to Germany in the play-off for 11th place - but their 12th place finish represented the country's best result since 1983.

But Kuwait also had much to celebrate in Denmark. Winners of the 15th place play-off against Ireland, the Kuwaitis recorded their best result in 14 appearances in the competition since 1979.

Official website: www.squashwmt2009.com

RESULTS: Men's World Team Squash Championship, Odense, Denmark

Final:
[1] EGYPT bt [3] FRANCE 2/1
Karim Darwish lost to Gregory Gaultier 11-8, 5-11, 8-11, 2-11 (53m)
Ramy Ashour bt Renan Lavigne 11-3, 11-4, 11-5 (23m)
Amr Shabana bt Thierry Lincou 11-6, 7-11, 12-10, 12-10 (66m)

3rd place play-off:
[4] AUSTRALIA bt [2] ENGLAND 2/1
David Palmer lost to James Willstrop 8-11, 2-11, 13-11, 2-11 (43m)
Cameron Pilley bt Alister Walker 10-12, 15-13, 11-3, 6-11, 11-4 (94m)
Stewart Boswell bt Peter Barker 11-9, 10-12, 11-7, 12-10 (56m)

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FOREXX WOMEEN'S WORLD OPEN

27.September09

Nicol David Wins Fourth World Open Title

Defending champion Nicol David destroyed Dutch dreams of local success in the Forexx Women’s World Open Squash 2009 when she beat Netherlands number one Natalie Grinham in today's (Sunday) final of the $118,000 WISPA World Tour event at Frans Otten Stadion in Amsterdam.

The Amsterdam-based Malaysian now becomes only the third player in the history of the championships to win four titles, alongside Australia's Sarah Fitz-Gerald and New Zealander Susan Devoy.

But it was second seed Natalie Grinham, showing the form of her life in these championships, who set the early pace in the 30th international meeting of their career - dropping just three points en-route to taking the first game.

Midway through the second game, it was again Grinham who looked to be heading to victory - a win which would have been her first over the long-time world number one since April 2007, and one which would have reduced the 22-7 head-to-head lead that Nicol had as the pair took to the court.

But the balance of play swung towards the favourite at 7-6 up in the second: David won the next four points to draw level, and soon established a 7-1 lead in the third.

Grinham, the former Australian who became a Dutch national last year, snatched a further two points before David again rattled off four points in a row to lead 2/1.

Thought by many to be hot favourite to win the title for the first time in her fourth final, Grinham established leads of 4-1, 6-3 and 8-6 in the fourth game - but a determined David just didn't give up.

Two lengthy and crucial rallies saw the score move to eight-all - then two winners from David followed by a miss-hit by Grinham took David to match-ball at 10-8.

Seconds later, referee Chris Sinclair awarded the Malaysian a stroke - and Nicol David raised her arms in delight and relief to celebrate her astonishing 3-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-8 title triumph after 51 minutes.

"I knew it was going to be tough - I felt those eight-all and nine-all points were so crucial," said the new champion, former winner of the crown in 2005, 2006 and 2008.

"I needed that second game. After she won the first, I just didn't want her to get any more confidence.

"I just knew that the rallies would go on and on."

Nicol David, the 26-year-old from Penang who this month became the third longest holder of the world number one ranking of all-time, arrived in Amsterdam with her invincibility slightly shattered after losing in the quarter-finals of the British Open.

"To come back from last week and win my fourth world title means a lot to me," added David.

"I'm so happy. I just don't know what to say."

Natalie Grinham was clearly devastated by the defeat: "I'm still thinking about the game," said the 31-year-old from Almere shortly afterwards. "I wish there was more to play.

"When I think of how sick I was at the start of the year, being able to get a silver medal in the worlds is a great achievement in a way - I’m really delighted to be competing again at such a high level.

"But I’ve been second three times already, and I didn’t come here to be second again, so of course I'm disappointed.

"I thought I was definitely up there."

Final:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [2] Natalie Grinham (NED) 3-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-8 (51m)

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InternationalSPORTgroup British Open – Manchester 2009

14.September 09

Matthew Outlasts Willstrop In Historic Marathon All-English British Open Final

It took 122 minutes to settle the men's title in the internationalSPORTgroup British Open - Manchester 2009, with Nick Matthew finally emerging triumphant after beating England team-mate James Willstrop in the first all-English final of the world's oldest and most prestigious squash championship in 70 years.

Both players reached the final at the National Squash Centre in Manchester without dropping a game - and Willstrop, last year's runner-up, took the first game in convincing style.


But Matthew, the 2006 champion from Sheffield, battled back to take the second. The next two games were also shared - with Leeds man Willstrop visibly tiring at the end of the fourth as he put three successive balls into the tin.

In the decider - a gladiatorial encounter between two determined Yorkshiremen - Matthew built up a 6-2 lead before Willstrop delighted the packed crowd by coming back to overtake his opponent, eventually reaching match-ball at 10-9.

But England number one Matthew was not about to throw in the towel. The Sheffield 29-year-old reclaimed the advantage before going on to clinch the title on his first match-ball, winning 8-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-3, 12-10 to claim the historic trophy for the second time.

Earlier, Australia's Rachael Grinham ended the dream run of Irish champion Madeline Perry to win the women's title for a fourth time.

Perry, the first Northern Irish finalist in the history of the women's event, was unable to reproduce the form which saw her trounce hot favourite Nicol David, the world number one from Malaysia, in the quarter-finals.

Grinham dominated the first two games and held match-ball at 10-6 in the third. But Perry stepped up a gear and saved four match balls to take the game into a tie-break.

However, the former world number one from Australia reclaimed the advantage to run out an 11-6, 11-5, 12-10 winner after 39 minutes.

"I was really focussed today - I couldn't have played any better," said Grinham.

"It hasn’t really sunk in yet. At the beginning of the week I was a few points from getting knocked out - I was lucky to get through," added the Queenslander, ranked four in the world.

"To win the British Open for the fourth time is not easy to do."

Both players head straight from Manchester to Amsterdam where the Forexx Women's World Open Championship gets underway next week.

"I have been having a lot of trouble with confidence all week - so having a result like this going into the Worlds next week should give me confidence."

Perry rued her missed opportunity. "I'm obviously disappointed - but if you're feeling a bit tired, the worst player in the world to play is Rachael Grinham.

"I didn't really get into it until the third game," explained the fifth seed from Banbridge, near Belfast.

Reaching the final was a remarkable achievement for Perry, who sustained a serious brain injury following mysterious fall in Milan just two years ago.

"That's behind me now. This week I've played the best squash of my life - I've reached another level.

"I'd rather not think about what might be in next week's World Open - I could have won the British Open if I'd played as well as I did in the previous two rounds."

RESULTS: internationalSPORTgroup British Open Squash Championships, Manchester

Men's final:
[4] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [10] James Willstrop (ENG) 8-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-3, 12-10 (122m)

Women's final:
[2] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [5] Madeline Perry (IRL) 11-6, 11-5, 12-10 (39m)

Official website: www.isportgroup.com/BritishOpenSquash

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13.September 09

James Willstrop Sets Up Historic All-English British Open Final

Yorkshireman James Willstrop crushed Egypt's three-time world champion Amr Shabana in the second semi-final of the internationalSPORTgroup British Open - Manchester 2009 at the National Squash Centre to set up the first all-English final of the world's oldest and most prestigious squash championship for 70 years.

After a historic day in which three Englishmen competed in the semi-finals for the first time in living memory, Willstrop will face fellow Yorkshireman Nick Matthew. The world number four from Sheffield scored a resounding straight games win over his England team-mate Peter Barker to reach the final for the second time in four years.

Madeline Perry became the first ever Irish player to reach the women's final after beating Londoner Alison Waters. The world No8 from Belfast, who produced the event's biggest shock when she ousted firm favourite Nicol David, the world number one and defending champion from Malaysia, will now face three-time champion Rachael Grinham, of Australia.

Since reaching last year's final, where he lost in a dramatic fifth game tie-break, world No9 James Willstrop has undergone ankle surgery and is battling to fight back to the career-best world number two ranking he achieved in December 2005.

But the 26-year-old from Leeds put in a near-perfect performance to overcome Amr Shabana, a world number one for 33 months, 11-5, 11-6, 11-1 to set up the historic all-Yorkshire final.

"I've not made it a secret that I am a big fan of Amr's - he is a legend of the game," Willstrop told the packed crowd at Sportcity after his sensational win. "He is a very difficult player - and to beat him here in Manchester in the British Open is very special.

"I was very consistent from the start - I started well and this set the tone," added the two-time national champion who lost to Shabana in straight games only eight days ago in the US Open in Chicago.

"Last week he trounced me - I was half a yard off the pace and he was sublime. But tonight was one of those performances when I kept consistently tight."

Lifelong coach Malcolm Willstrop was delighted with his son's performance. "He played extraordinarily well - but you have to play well to beat the best player in the world on current form."

England number one Nick Matthew had not dropped a game en-route to the last four - and was in devastating form as he despatched Peter Barker, the world number eight, 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 in 48 minutes.

"Even though it was 3/0, I couldn't relax for a moment," said the 26-year-old from Sheffield later. "The game went according to plan - and it's not often that happens. It very rarely happens that you win all your matches 3/0 - so I've given myself a real chance for tomorrow."

Barker, the left-handed Londoner who upset Frenchman Gregory Gaultier, ranked two in the world, in the previous round, was full of praise for his close friend: "That's the best he's ever played against me. And when you get beaten by a better player, it's somewhat easier to take.

"I did everything to win, but it wasn't good enough. I can't argue with the result."

Fifth seed Madeline Perry produced the game of her life to beat Nicol David in the women's quarter-finals - and maintained her run in the semis, recovering from a game down to defeat third seed Waters 10-12, 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 in 63 minutes.

"I wanted to play well after beating Nicol yesterday - it would have been disappointing to then lose in the semi-finals," said the 32-year-old world No8 from Banbridge, near Belfast.

"I was aware that Alison would come out fast and furious and I had to be up for it and work hard.

"Obviously beating the world number one boosts your confidence," added Perry. "I've beaten a few good players, but not a lot of world number ones!

"I am very proud of where I come from - so reaching the final of the British Open should put me up there with the best Northern Irish squash players."

In the other women's semi, Yorkshire's Jenny Duncalf failed to reach the final for the second year in a row. The world number six from Harrogate went down 11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6 to Rachael Grinham, the second-seeded Australian who is looking for her fourth title.

"I'm happy to be in a major final - and the fact that it's the British Open makes it even better," stated the 32-year-old from Queensland who won the title in 2003, 2004 and 2007. "I felt better about the way I played today - the further I get through the draw, the better I feel. My accuracy was a lot better. I can definitely enter the court tomorrow feeling a lot more relaxed."

Duncalf was devastated by the loss: "It was a wasted opportunity - with Nicol out, it opened up the draw. I was edgy the whole time, I just wasn't timing it right and miss-hit everything.

"I'm disappointed that I just didn't play well - but she played a good game."

RESULTS: internationalSPORTgroup British Open Squash Championships, Manchester

Men's semi-final:
[10] James Willstrop (ENG) bt [3] Amr Shabana (EGY) 11-5, 11-6, 11-1 (32m)
[4] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [6] Peter Barker (ENG) 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 (48m)

Women's semi-final:
[5] Madeline Perry (IRL) bt [3] Alison Waters (ENG) 10-12, 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 (63m)
[2] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [4] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) 11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6 (48m)

Official website: www.isportgroup.com/BritishOpenSquash

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12.September 09

Champions Exit In A Day Of British Open Shocks & English Triumphs

A day of high drama in the quarter-finals of the internationalSPORTgroup British Open – Manchester 2009 not only resulted in the demise of both champions, but also a breakthrough win by sixth seed Peter Barker which puts three Englishmen into the semi-finals for the first time in the professional era.

In a clash at the National Squash Centre in Manchester described by Tournament Presenter Robert Edwards as the 'match of the tournament', three-time world champion Amr Shabana and four-time British Open winner David Palmer - ranked three and six, respectively, in the world - battled for 86 minutes before Egyptian Shabana emerged the 11-8, 14-12, 4-11, 19-17 winner.

"There wasn't much in it - he just played better at the end than I did," said Palmer, the 33-year-old title-holder from Australia who was making his 13th successive appearance in the event. "It's still nice that I can play with these top four guys. I don't think I could have done much more."

But later came the most unexpected result when Nicol David, the Malaysian super star who this month began her fourth successive year as world number one, crashed out of the women's championship after squandering three match balls in the third game.

Ireland's Madeline Perry, the fifth seed who had lost her previous 14 meetings with the three-time British Open champion, played the game of her life to win 6-11, 12-14, 15-13, 11-5, 11-9 in 76 minutes.

"I can't believe I just beat the world number one," said an ecstatic Perry, from Banbridge, near Belfast, afterwards. "I normally struggle to get a game off Nicol."

The win came from a stunning cross court nick shot after David served to try and save her third match-ball.

"That's definitely my best ever win," added Perry, the 32-year-old world No8. "I've changed my game since I last played her - and did a lot of work on my movement over the summer."

But, otherwise, the day belonged to the hosts - with two English players through to the women's semi-finals for the first time since 2002, and a trio of Englishmen making the last four of the men's championship for the first time in living memory.

A major upset by Londoner Peter Barker ensured that an Englishman will be in Monday's final of the world's oldest and most prestigious squash championship.

In a career-first victory over the Frenchman, sixth seed Barker beat world No2 and former champion Gregory Gaultier 11-7, 7-11, 11-3, 7-11, 11-8 to reach the semi-finals for the first time.

"I've had a terrible record against Greg, so I'm over the moon to have beaten him - especially here in the British Open," said Barker. "I'm going to enjoy today before preparing myself for tomorrow.

"I've been training really hard over the summer - endless bikes and swims for up to three sessions a day," explained the left-hander. "So much so, that I was looking forward to the start of the season so that I could stop training!

"Greg is a class act. But I needed to get myself fitter so that I could deal with his pace. In fact, I thought to myself as I went on court - 'I doubt he's done as done as much training as I have'!"

The 25-year-old world No8 will now meet England team-mate Nick Matthew after the fourth seed from Sheffield ended the giant-killing run of compatriot Daryl Selby.

The unseeded 26-year-old from Essex had reached the last eight after taking out two world top 16-ranked opponents - but world No5 Matthew was too strong, winning 11-7, 11-5, 11-8.

"I'm delighted to be playing Pete tomorrow," said Matthew, who in 2006 became the first home-grown winner of the title for 67 years. "We're sharing a room together here - I must pop something into his glass of water tonight!"

In the final match of the day, Yorkshire's former world number two James Willstrop, the tenth seed, claimed his place in the semis with an 11-5, 11-6, 12-10 victory over Malaysia's 12th seed Mohd Azlan Iskandar.

Willstrop, the 26-year-old from Leeds who was runner-up last year, reached the last eight after a shock win over Egypt's world number one Karim Darwish in the previous round.

"Everybody keeps on about how good the Egyptians are - but now we've got five English players into tomorrow's semis," said a delighted Willstrop after his win.

Third seed Alison Waters and fourth seed Jenny Duncalf will provide the domestic interest in the women's semi-finals.

Duncalf, from Harrogate in Yorkshire, went one step closer to reaching the final for the second year in a row after beating eighth seed Vanessa Atkinson, the former world champion from the Netherlands, 11-1, 10-12, 11-6, 11-4.

"You can never underestimate Vanessa - after all, she has been a world champion and world number one," said the 26-year-old world No6. "She's got great racket skills.

"I felt I played well today and am improving all the time. This week I'll be trying to close the gap the gap behind Nicol David, the world number one."

Duncalf will face three-time champion Rachael Grinham, the second seed from Australia who recovered from a game down to beat Lancashire's Laura Massaro 5-11, 14-12, 11-7, 11-7.

Alison Waters claimed her first appearance in a British Open semi-final after beating Australian qualifier Donna Urquhart 6-11, 11-5, 11-3, 11-7. The former British National champion will now meet Madeline Perry for a place in the final.


RESULTS in :Official website: www.isportgroup.com/BritishOpenSquash