Semi-finals:
[4] Renan Lavigne (FRA) bt [6] Julian Illingworth (USA) 8-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-10 (2-0)
[2] Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt [7] Yasser El Halaby (EGY) 11-6, 10-11 (0-2), 11-10 (4-2), 11-8
Australia's defending champion Cameron Pilley ended the impressive run of four-time US national collegiate champion Yasser El Halaby when he beat the 23-year-old Egyptian in the semi-finals of the Berkshire Open in Williamstown, USA.
Second seed Pilley earned a return to the final of the $20,000 PSA Tour squash event in its fourth year at Williams College after his close-fought 11-6, 10-11 (0-2), 11-10 (4-2), 11-8 victory over the No7 seed from Cairo.
"The match was played at a fast pace and produced some fantastic rallies to the delight of the capacity crowd at the Simon Squash Center," said event spokesman Zafi Levy.
Now in his third PSA Tour final of the year - and the 19th of his career - the 24-year-old from New South Wales will face Frenchman Renan Lavigne.
The fourth seed from Marseille defeated US champion Julian Illingworth in four close games - recovering from a game down to win 8-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-10 (2-0).
"Lavigne was very consistent tonight and made very few mistakes during the match," added Levy. "Illingworth, the best American player of the modern era had his chances - though he made far too many mistake at the end of the match."
Lavigne, 32, will be celebrating his 13th Tour final appearance.