Matthew-Willstrop set up all England final in Punj Lloyd squash

NEW DELHI - Top seed Nick Matthew defeated Egypt’s Amr Shabana, who retired after losing the first two sets, 11-9, 11-4 to set up an all-England title clash with James Willstrop in the PSA Punj Lloyd Masters Squash here Saturday.

Willstrop secured an 11-8, 11-2, 11-5 victory over another Egyptian Hisham Ashour.

The match between reigning World Champion Matthew and former World No.1 Shabana at the Siri Fort Sports Complex was expected to be a top draw but ended on a disappointing note when the Egyptian had to retire because of cramps.

The two maestros, however, enthralled the crowd with long rallies and well executed drop shots in the two sets they played. Both acknowledged each other’s winners, whether it came in the form of subtle nick volleys or powerful smashes. But after 4-4 in the second set Shabana lost seven straight points to go 0-2. He could not continue there after.

“I am happy that I won but it would have been better had it been a complete match. But if you are unfit at this level, it is better to retire rather than aggravate the injury,” said Matthew.

Matthew next faces Willstrop and, as records go, the former should be the favourite to win the crown. Willstrop has lost to his countryman 14 times in a row but he said this time he is confident of opening the account.

“The scores suggest something else but it was an intense match with Ashour. I am thrilled to be in the final. My record against him (Matthew) is not great. Let’s see what happens tomorrow,” said Willstrop.

In the WISPA Masters, top seed Jenny Duncalf of England got past Camille Serme of France 11-8, 8-11, 11-3, 8-11, 11-5 and will face Australia’s Kasey Brown in the final Sunday. The World No.7 defeated Annie Au of Hong Kong 11-6, 11-9, 3-11, 2-11, 11-8 in the second semifinal.