WORLD SQUASH NEWS

RESULTS: Brit Insurance Super Series Squash Finals, Broadgate Arena, London

Semi-finals:
[1] Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt Nick Matthew (ENG) 11-5, 11-10 (2-0), 11-6 (42m)
Joseph Kneipp (AUS) bt [2] John White (SCO) 8-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-5 (80m)

Lincou & Kneipp In Super Series Finals Final

Australia's Joe Kneipp booked himself a place in the final of the Brit Insurance Super Series Squash Finals after fighting back from 0/2 down to upset Scotland's John White in a remarkable victory in the first semi-final at the Broadgate Arena in London.

Kneipp will face France's top seed Thierry Lincou, who ended Nick Matthew's dream of making the final in his debut appearance with a ruthless straight games win in the other semi-final.

It was White who took the early initiative in the evening's first semi-final in front of a packed crowd surrounding the all-glass court at Broadgate Arena.  The world No2 opened up a two game lead against Kneipp and looked to have the match under control, but a number of unforced errors in the fourth and fifth games enabled the 30-year-old Australian to claw his way back into the match and draw level at two-all.

Kneipp, the world No12, then took control of the decider to win the match and earn himself a place in the final at his first Super Series Finals appearance.

"At two games down I thought it was all over," said the delighted Amsterdam-based Kneipp afterwards.  "John started brilliantly but in the third game he began making mistakes and I could feel the match swinging my way.  I managed to get more control and cut down my own errors.

"It's an unbelievable feeling to be in the final in my first Super Series Finals and hope I can play this well tomorrow.

"John and I have been playing each other since we were about seven and I think that makes the score about 66-all!"

A dejected White said: "I thought I had it in the bag at two games up but full marks to Joe for the way he fought back.  He got tighter and I gave the match away by making too many mistakes."

After his 3-0 defeat to Lincou, Sheffield's world No9 Nick Matthew said: "Thierry played well tonight, he was always in front. 

"I played really well on the first day, but haven't been able to reach that standard since.

"I'm disappointed but it's been a great experience. I've played four world number ones in four days and I'd like to go out in style by winning the third place play-off tomorrow."

Lincou, who mercilessly worked Matthew up and down the backhand side wall, admitted: "Yes, that's my style and it was working well tonight.  I'm feeling good and have plenty of energy left for the final.  Joe is a good player and has been playing great squash all week so I hope we can put on a superb match for this audience tomorrow because they obviously know and love their squash."

The Super Series Finals climax will mark Lincou's 21st appearance in a PSA Tour final, and the 12th by Kneipp.  But, though Lincou contested the World Open final last December in Pakistan, it is more than two years since either have won a PSA title - the most recent of the Frenchman's nine was the Pittsburgh Open in January 2002, while Kneipp has not been on the winner's podium since lifting the Greenwich Open trophy, also in the USA, in January 2000!