RESULTS: British National Squash Championships, Sportcity, Manchester

Men's quarter-finals:
[1] John White (Scotland) bt [7] Alex Gough (Wales) 12-15, 15-5, 15-12, 9-15, 15-12 (97m)
[6] Adrian Grant (Kent) bt [4] Nick Matthew (Yorks) 15-5, 15-13, 15-14 (61m)

Women's quarter-finals:
[7] Jenny Duncalf (Yorks) bt [3] Rebecca Macree (Essex) 10-8, 9-6, 10-8 (56m)
[2] Linda Charman (Sussex) bt [6] Stephanie Brind (Kent) 9-1, 9-4, 9-2 (31m)

Matthew Marches As Grant Grabs Semi-Final Place In Manchester

Left-handed Londoner Adrian Grant achieved his best-ever success in the British National Squash Championships when he upset Yorkshire's world No12 Nick Matthew, the fourth seed, in straight games in tonight's (Friday) quarter-final on the all-glass court at the National Squash Centre in Sportcity, Manchester.

Grant, the 23-year-old sixth seed, had never before progressed beyond the second round in six appearances in the event since 1997.  But the Halifax-based former European Junior Champion has made significant progress on the international circuit over the past year and currently boasts a career-high world No21 ranking.

Grant was in sparkling form, dictating the match from the onset against an opponent who was perhaps still feeling the effects of his unexpected appearance in the Swedish Open final just over a week ago. 

"We know each others games so well, but I haven't beaten him for at least two years, so tonight's win was particularly pleasing," said Grant after his 15-5 15-13 15-14 victory in 61 minutes on his maiden appearance on the all-glass court at the 2002 Commonwealth Games venue.

"It was definitely one of my best ever wins, particularly as it takes me through to the semi-finals of the Nationals for the first time.  And considering Nick's current form on the PSA Tour, it's good to know that I can compete at his level," Grant added.

History was not repeated in the other men's quarter-final when Scotland's John White, the top seed, overcame seventh seed Alex Gough 12-15 15-5 15-12 9-15 15-12 in a 97-minute marathon.  White, the Nottingham-based world No3, lost 3/2 to the Welshman at the same stage of the event last year - and now moves into the semi-finals for the first time.

"I want this title badly," said White afterwards.  "To be the British National champion would mean a lot to me and I am glad to have come through tonight's tough battle."

The women's quarter-finals provided a significant upset when Yorkshire's 21-year-old Jenny Duncalf, also a former European Junior Champion, dismissed last year's beaten finalist Rebecca Macree in straight games.

Duncalf, from Harrogate, claimed a number of major scalps on the WISPA World Tour in 2003, including that of world No2 Natalie Grainger in the US Open in October.  Starting the year at 29 in the world rankings, she had soared to 12 by the end.

The sixth seed defeated world No9 Macree, the No3 seed, 10-8 9-6 10-8 in 56 minutes to reach the semi-finals in only her second appearance in the event.  Duncalf admitted afterwards that she felt no nerves before the match, despite never having played before in such an arena. 

Duncalf will face Sussex's No2 seed Linda Charman in Saturday's semi-finals.  The 32-year-old world No6 from Eastbourne cruised to a 9-1 9-4 9-2 win over Kent's sixth seed Stephanie Brind.  Three-times a runner-up in the event, Charman is determined to win the title for the first time in what is her 16th appearance in the event since 1987.

    Saturday semi-final schedule:
1300 [1] Cassie Jackman (Norfolk) v [4] Fiona Geaves (Glos)
1345 [2] Peter Nicol (Yorks) v [3] Lee Beachill (Yorks)
1745 [2] Linda Charman (Sussex) v [7] Jenny Duncalf (Yorks)
1830 [1] John White (Scotland) v [6] Adrian Grant (Kent)

Official website: www.nationalsquashchamps.co.uk