Willstrop ensures British interest in squash final

May 12 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

YORKSHIREMAN James Willstrop ensured that there will be English interest in both finals of the Dunlop British Open Squash Championships for only the second time in 44 years when he overwhelmed Frenchman Thierry Lincou in straight games in last night’s men’s semi-finals in Liverpool.

The 24-year-old world number three from Leeds avenged his recent defeat by the former world number one in Kuwait, winning 11-7, 11-3, 11-7 in 50 minutes to reach the final for the second time.

Earlier Jenny Duncalf – also from Yorkshire – beat French qualifier Isabelle Stoehr to claim a maiden place in the women’s final.

Willstrop, now in his sixth Tour final in seven events, was in stunning form against Lincou. The British national champion had answers for everything that the experienced Lincou could throw at him.

After winning the first two games, Willstrop returned to the court knowing that only two weeks earlier he had been in a similar position in the Kuwait Open – yet lost in a five-game thriller!

“Kuwait was a good lesson for me – this time I kept it simple and had to be as positive and tough as I could,” said the Englishman.

“For a squash player to be in the British Open final is a bit special.”

When asked to comment on the comparison with his 2005 final appearance, the now 24-year-old said: “My little muscles have become a bit stronger since then. Hopefully I’ve got a bigger engine now – and I hope I’ll be able to use it!”

A forlorn Lincou admitted that his opponent never showed any signs of fatigue nor gave him any easy points. “He was just too good – he played amazing squash,” said the 32-year-old from Marseille. “I think he’s in good shape to win it if he wants it.”

Willstrop will face Australia’s three times champion David Palmer.in today’s final. The fifth seed, appearing in his seventh semi-final in nine years, beat Karim Darwish, the number seven seed from Egypt.

RESULTS: Men’s semi-finals: [5] David Palmer (AUS) bt [7] Karim Darwish (EGY) 11-7, 3-11, 4-8 ret. (47m) [4] James Willstrop (ENG) bt [6] Thierry Lincou (FRA) 11-7, 11-3, 11-7 (50m)

Women’s semi-finals: [1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [4] Natalie Grainger (USA) 9-5, 9-1, 9-0 (27m) [5] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) bt [Q] Isabelle Stoehr (FRA) 4-9, 9-3, 9-6, 9-6 (73m)