Yorkshire trio into world semi-finals

The 28-year-old world No 3, from Leeds, won 11-8, 11-2, 11-13, 11-1 to join fellow Yorkshireman and world No 1 Nick Matthew in today’s semi-finals opening up the prospect of a repeat of last year’s final taking place tomorrow.

Willstrop’s performance against former world No 1 Shabana capped a fine day for squash in the county after Matthew came back from one game down to beat fellow Englishman Peter Barker 6-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-5.

Matthew’s victory came shortly after Harrogate’s world No 2 Jenny Duncalf had defeated England team-mate Laura Massaro 11-9, 11-7, 11-7.

Duncalf showing positive signs after some recent disappointments, will now face 15th seed Samantha Teran from Mexico in today’s semi-final, with Sunday’s final opponent likely to be Nicol David, world No1 for more than five years.

Today’s last four encounter will be the first time Duncalf has faced the 30-year-old Mexican.

“This is the tournament everybody wants to win, it’s the pinnacle really,” said Duncalf.

“I’ve never played against Sam, either in a tournament or practice. She really is an unknown quantity and I’ll make sure that I don’t take her lightly.”

Willstrop was quick to praise opponent Shabana and will now face a rematch against Gregory Gaultier – the man who beat him in the final of the Qatar Classic last month. The Frenchman defeated world No 2 Ramy Ashour who, worryingly, was forced to retire injured for the second successive tournament.

“There is no player I have more respect for (than Shabana),” said a delighted Willstrop. “He has the most sportsmanlike manner on court – he’ll never play a double bounce, cheat, or ask for too many strokes. It has been the most enjoyable of matches, but in a quite sadistic way.”

Matthew will be up first today in the men’s last four when he takes on Egypt’s Karim Darwish, the third seed who defeated two-time champions David Palmer, from Australia, who was playing in the event for the last time.