WORLD SQUASH NEWS

RESULTS: US Open Squash Championship, Boston, USA

Semi-finals:
[1] Peter Nicol (ENG) bt [8] Joseph Kneipp (AUS) 11-6, 11-6, 11-6 (37m)
[2] Lee Beachill (ENG) bt [4] David Palmer (AUS) 5-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-9 (64m)

US Open Hails First All-English Final

Peter Nicol and Lee Beachill, the world's top two squash players, will meet in the first ever all-English final of the US Open after successful semi-final triumphs at the Symphony Hall in Boston.  At stake is not only one of the sport's most prestigious titles, but also the next world No1 ranking.

A successful defence by Nicol would give the 31-year-old his fifth US Open title and guarantee his hold on the pole position in the PSA world rankings - but should Beachill claim only his third ever PSA Tour victory over his rival, the Yorkshireman would win his maiden US Open crown and become world No1 for the first time on 1st October.

Joseph Kneipp came out strongly in the first game of the semi-final against Nicol.  The eighth seed from Australia quickly went up 4-0 up before top seed Nicol responded - bringing it back to 4-4.  The title-holder went on to take the game - "but not before dazzling the near capacity crowd with a 90-second rally that had both players reaching, spinning, and wheeling and dealing," said event spokesperson Colleen Turner.

Game two started with a fetching bout of cat and mouse, but Nicol despatched the 30-year-old Australian in just 11 minutes to build up a 2/0 lead.  Nicol finished the game and match in convincing style, winning 11-6 11-6 11-6 in just 37 minutes. 

Commenting on his victory, the London-based former Scot explained:  "I'm moving well ... very fluid ... and I'm not tiring."  Kneipp concurred:  "Peter's play was just too tight tonight.  However, I'm not unhappy with my performance.  I had good length and was able to limit how much of the front court I gave up."

The other semi-final saw Australia's fourth-seeded David Palmer assert his presence with authority and take a commanding 10-4 lead before snatching the first game against Beachill, the No2 seed.  A few words of encouragement from compatriot Peter Nicol seemed to do the trick for Beachill.  He rocketed to a 6-0 lead before handing the serve to Palmer.  Despite several excellent rallies, the Aussie couldn't produce and Beachill levelled the match.

As Palmer's frustrations increased, so Beachill gained a tighter grip on the match and ultimately registered a 5-11 11-3 11-7 11-9 victory in 64 minutes.

"I'm in control," said Beachill afterwards.  "I noticed it especially in the third and fourth games.  I'm also pleased with my accuracy.  I'm really looking forward to tomorrow."