Yorkshire duo through to New York quarter-finals

YORKSHIRE rivals James Willstrop and Nick Matthew remain on course for a Grand Central Station showdown after making it through to the quarter-finals of New York’s Tournament of Champions.

By The Newsroom

Published 23rd Jan 2012, 00:07 BST

Recently-installed world No 1 Willstrop and top seed Matthew - who he succeeded at the top of the world rankings- are scheduled to meet each other in Thursday’s final, although there are plenty of potential pitfalls along the way for both players.

Second seed Willstrop, from Leeds, was first to secure safe passage through to the last eight in the spectacular surroundings of the city’s world-famous rail station on Sunday, defeating Egyptian qualifier Mohamed Abbas 11-8. 12-10, 11-2.

He will now face fellow Englishman Peter Barker on Monday evening (11.45pm UK time) after he saw off Canada’s Shahier Razik.

Sheffield-born Matthew, playing in his first tournament since suffering an adductor injury during November’s Kuwait Cup, followed up a tricky win on Saturday against Egypt’s Wael El Hindi, with an equally tough battle with one-time England team-mate Adrian Grant, eventually prevailing 11-5, 11-7, 12-10.