The semi-finals of the Delaware Investments U.S. Open at the Daskalakis Athletic Center in Philadelphia’s Drexel University saw two women’s upsets and two enthralling but contrasting men’s matches.
Australia’s Kasey Brown, seeded six, powered to a four game win over third seed Madeline Perry, while fifth seed Laura Massaro prevailed in straight games in an all-English encounter with world number two Jenny Duncalf. For both, appearing in a WISPA World Series Final will be one of their career highlights to date.
The first men’s semi-final was also all-English, and in an often brutal encounter world number one and top seed Nick Matthewextended his run of victories over James Willstrop, winning in four games to reach a third consecutive PSA World Series Final this season.
Matthew’s opponent will be third seed Amr Shabana, after the Egyptian four-time world champion also won in four games, although his match against France’s Thierry Lincou was a much quicker affair, taking just over half the time of Matthew’s.
Women’s Semi-Finals:
[6] Kasey Brown (Aus) bt [3] Madeline Perry (Irl) 12/10, 6/11, 11/6, 11/6 (67m)
[5] Laura Massaro (Eng) bt [2] Jenny Duncalf (Eng) 13/11, 11/5, 13/11 (60m)Men’s Semi-Finals:
[1] Nick Matthew (Eng) bt [3] James Willstrop (Eng) 11/9, 11/7, 7/11, 11/7 (86m)
[3] Amr Shabana (Egy) bt [6] Thierry Lincou (Fra) 11/1, 9/11, 11/6, 11/7 (48m)
Full details on the official site: www.usopensquash.com
