RESULTS: Brit Insurance Super Series Squash Finals, Broadgate Arena, London, England
3rd qualifying round:
Fleet Group
[3] Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt [1] David Palmer (AUS) 11-6, 11-2, 10-11 (0-2), 11-2 (58m)
[5] Amr Shabana (EGY) bt [8] Nick Matthew (ENG) 11-4, 11-6, 11-6 (31m)
Harrow Group
[7] Lee Beachill (ENG) bt [6] Peter Nicol (ENG) 11-7, 3-11, 11-7, 11-8 (37m)
[2] Anthony Ricketts (AUS) bt [4] James Willstrop (ENG) 11-9, 3-11, 11-7, 11-6 (50m)
Beachill Leads Home Interest In Brit Semis At Broadgate
England's Lee Beachill will face off against in-form Frenchman Thierry Lincou for a place in the Brit Insurance Super Series Squash Finals final at the Broadgate Arena in London.
The 28-year-old Yorkshireman blasted his way into the last four, winning all three of his Harrow Group matches, culminating with an 11-7, 3-11, 11-7, 11-8 victory over his Commonwealth Games Men's Doubles gold-medal winning partner Peter Nicol.
Seventh seed Beachill is certain to have his hands full in Thursday's semi-final as he lines up against Lincou, the third seed who just four days ago lifted the Liverpool 08 Open crown.
But the former world No1 from Pontefract is full of confidence as he looks to end a gruelling season by landing the $65,000(USD) prize pot on offer in London this week.
"I had an operation just after Christmas on my knee to remove a bit of cartilage, but right now I'm feeling great - I'm back on top form," said Beachill. "I'm back to my best physically and I feel pretty good. I just hope I can produce my best squash on the court, which will allow me to go on and win this tournament.
"To be honest I'm just pleased with my performances and form in London and I'm glad to be in the semis. I'm probably more fresh then most of the other guys left in the tournament.
Beachill had already booked his place in the knockout stages before he faced 33-year-old Nicol and he believes that could give him the edge against Lincou. "I had some fun against Peter without doing too much," he added. "It was his final game in the Super Series and it was nice to play him."
Elsewhere, Lincou inflicted another defeat on top seed David Palmer, beating the Australian 11-6, 11-2, 10-11 (0-2), 11-2 in 58 minutes to book his place in the last four for the fifth year in a row.
Egypt's Amr Shabana will play Aussie ace Anthony Ricketts in the second semi-final after beating England's Nick Matthew in a tense Fleet Group decider 11-4, 11-6, 11-6 in just 31 minutes. The world number one from Cairo outclassed Matthew despite being hampered by a foot injury.
England's James Willstrop insisted he has just five years to reach his peak after his latest bid for Brit Insurance Super Series glory came to an abrupt end. At just 22, Willstrop is the youngest of the eight competitors on show in London this week, but in his third and final Harrow Group game, the Brit capitulated against Aussie Ricketts, losing 11-9, 3-11, 11-7, 11-6.
Semi-finals:
[7] Lee Beachill (ENG) v [3] Thierry Lincou (FRA)
[5] Amr Shabana (EGY) v [2] Anthony Ricketts (AUS)