Squash latest: Kuwait wins for Yorkshire duo Matthew and Willstrop

NICK Matthew and James Willstrop made it through to the last eight of the Kuwait Cup but, unlike all previous tournaments, have no idea who they will next face, writes Phil Harrison.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Nov 2011, 21:09 BST

Most draws for PSA Tour events are done according to seedings, enabling players to see who they potentially face in each round, much like the way major tennis tournaments operate.

But a new FA Cup-style open draw format for the quarter-final stages onwards - introduced for the first time in Kuwait City - won’t be made until Saturday leaving Matthew, Willstrop and their six rivals sweating it out to see who they will face on Sunday.

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World No 1 and top seed Matthew made sure of a quarter-final spot after being given a stern examination by Australia’s Cameron Pilley before winning 11-7 11-9 11-8 in 52 minutes.

Willstrop, seeded three, joined his Yorkshire rival but was also made to work hard for his passage, being pushed hard by former England team-mate Alister Walker - now representing his native Botswana - before prevailing 11-7 11-5 11-3.

Elsewhere, Peter Barker beat fellow Englishman Adrian Grant 11-6 11-5 11-1, while No 2 seed, Egypt’s Karim Darwish made short work of compatriot Omar Mosaad, taking 34 minutes to win 11-5 11-5 11-7.

Gregory Gaultier, the fifth seed from France who recently beat Willstrop for the Qatar Classic title before the 28-year-old Yorkshireman gained swift revenge en route to winning the Hong Kong Open, also made it through to the last eight when he defeated Malaysia’s Azlan Iskander.

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