Duncalf perseveres to make it into last four

Jenny Duncalf will probably take most delight, putting a disappointing 2012 firmly behind her by making the last four, in the same week that she returned to the world’s top 10.

The 30-year-old, from Harrogate, had to beat Nour El Sherbini of Egypt to see her progress, where she will now play fellow home hopeful Laura Massaro.

The round robin format had seen former world No 2 Duncalf win and lose over the two previous days but, in a match lasting 42 minutes – the longest in the women’s draw this week – she finally saw off her Egyptian opponent 18-16, 4-11, 11-9.

Massaro, who had beaten world No 1 Nicol David on Thursday, had already secured place in the last four and lost her final group game to Annie Au.

The other semi-final pits David against France’s Camille Serme.

In the men’s draw, Sheffield’s world No 2 Nick Matthew beat fellow Englishman Peter Barker 
11-2, 12-10 to book himself a semi-final showdown with France’s Gregory Gaultier.

Matthew was cheered on by Team GB Olympians Greg Searle, Victoria Pendleton and Joanna Rowsell in today’s final pool match against compatriot Peter Barker.

“I want to say thank you to the Olympians for coming. It means a lot to have them supporting squash,” said Matthew.

“It was getting a bit edgy towards the end of the second and I got a bit tentative but that’s what happens when it’s all on the line.”

Top seed James Willstrop, from Leeds, joined his fellow Yorkshireman in the last four after a 11-4, 11-8 win over Simon Rosner was enough to see him through.

He will now face defending champion Amr Shabana, from Egypt, who beat Gaultier in last year’s final.

“It was a very physical match,” said Willstrop. “Simon’s improved massively. He’s very strong and an incredible athlete. I had to be really on it tonight to win it.”