WORLD SQUASH NEWS

RESULTS: Qatar Squash Classic, Doha, Qatar

Men's semi-finals:
[9] Lee Beachill (ENG) bt Nick Matthew (ENG) 15-6, 15-9, 15-6 (42m)
[2] John White (SCO) bt [4] Thierry Lincou (FRA) 15-13, 11-15, 5-15, 15-8, 15-9 (96m)

Women's semi-finals:
[1] Carol Owens (NZL) bt [3] Rachael Grinham (AUS) 10-8, 9-6, 9-7 (61m)
[2] Natalie Grainger (USA) bt [4] Cassie Jackman (ENG) 8-10, 9-5, 9-1, 9-2 (54m)

Beachill Celebrates First Super Series Final

Scotland's No2 seed John White will meet ninth seed Lee Beachill in the men's final of the Qatar Squash Classic after the Englishman beat fellow Yorkshireman Nick Matthew at the Khalifa Squash Complex in Doha to reach his first PSA Super Series final.  

The women's final in the WISPA World Tour Grand Prix event will be the match predicted by the seedings, featuring New Zealand favourite Carol Owens and the USA's No2 seed Natalie Grainger.

Playing with the same vigour that brought him his sensational upset over world No1 Peter Nicol in the quarter-finals, Beachill decisively defeated his friend Nick Matthew 15-6 15-9 15-6 in 41 minutes - his fourth successive straight games victory in less than 45 minutes in the tournament.

"This is the highlight of my career so far," said an ecstatic Beachill afterwards.  "I have reached the final of the Qatar Classic, which is unbelievable for me.  I haven't done this well on the circuit for a while now.  My victory over Peter last night has given me great confidence," said the 26-year-old world No9 from Pontefract on the eve of his first PSA Tour final appearance for almost three years.

Beachill praised his county colleague Matthew, who beat Australia's world No3 David Palmer in the previous round.  "I have watched Nick play for a long time.  He has improved over the years and hopefully he will kick on after making the semi-final of a big tournament like the Qatar Classic.  He beat David in the quarter-finals, which was a good victory for him.  His Doha performance should give him great confidence for future assignments," Beachill added.

John White, who this week narrowed the gap behind world No1 Peter Nicol in the Dunlop PSA World Rankings, needed more than twice the length of Beachill's match to quash France's Thierry Lincou, the world No5 in his eighth successive PSA semi-final.  White, from Nottingham, clawed his way back from 1/2 down to overcome Lincou 15-13 11-15 5-15 15-8 15-9 in 96 minutes - a repeat of his victory over the Frenchman in the PSA Masters final on the same court in May.

"Thierry and I always seem to play a tough match and today was no different," said White after his marathon.  "It would be a dream come true for me to be ranked No1 - I am some 30 points behind Peter, just one step away from it.  Hopefully, I will win the final tomorrow and then close the gap on Peter.  I am looking to wind up the year with a good show here and then in the World Open later this month," added the Scot.

The first women's semi-final signalled the first meeting between Carol Owens, the world No1, and world No3 Rachael Grinham since the Australian upset Owens in straight games en-route to winning the British Open title in October.  It was a totally absorbing and high-quality match, with Owens needing 61 minutes to claim her 10-8 9-6 9-7 revenge.

"I was like a puppy dog retrieving balls today," said the victor afterwards.  "You always remember your last loss, so British Open revenge is sweet.   I was pretty happy with today but let's see how tomorrow goes.  I have been travelling for 12 years and it is getting harder and harder with all the good players coming up," added Owens.

England's fourth seed Cassie Jackman saved a game ball in the first game before opening up a 1/0 lead against former compatriot Natalie Grainger, the No2 seed now playing in US colours. 

Thereafter, however, Grainger began to show the form that took her into the World Open final on the same court a year ago - and there was no way back for an increasingly dispirited Jackman as the second seed celebrated her 8-10 9-5 9-1 9-2 victory in 54 minutes.

"I am ecstatic," said the American.  "Cassie has been around so long at the top, playing so well recently and I haven't been sure of my form so it is great to be in a major final.  Whenever Carol and I have played, it is a real battle. When I play her tomorrow, I will have to bring my best game."