RESULTS: BC Honda Dealers Jericho Open, Vancouver, Canada
Semi-finals:
[1] Chris Simpson (ENG) bt [3] Joe Lee (ENG) 11-6, 11-7, 11-8 (57m)
[4] James Snell (ENG) bt [2] Jan Koukal (CZE) 11-4, 11-5, 8-11, 11-9 (58m)
A surprise all-English clash will bring the BC Honda Dealers Open to a climax in Canada after James Snell upset second seed Jan Koukal in the semi-finals of the $10,000 PSA World Tour squash event at Jericho Tennis Club in Vancouver.
Fourth seed Snell recorded his biggest career win when he beat Czech number one Koukal, the world No53 from Prague, 11-4, 11-5, 8-11, 11-9 in 58 minutes.
"It's my best win to date," said the 22-year-old from Exeter, ranked 91 in the world "I went in relaxed and the key for me was to keep up the pace of being fast and not letting the games go at a slow pace."
The former British U13 champion will celebrate his fifth PSA Tour final appearance against top seed Chris Simpson, the world No51 from the Channel Island of Guernsey who fended off the challenge of fellow Englishman Joe Lee to beat the third seed 11-6, 11-7, 11-8.
"I am looking forward to tomorrow against Chris," added Snell. "I lost to him at the British Nationals, so I am looking forward to the match tomorrow."
Tournament organiser Shauna Flath was delighted to see Simpson make the final for the first time: "Chris has been here every year we host a PSA and this was our club's fifth PSA. It is fantastic to see how he has grown as a player and a splendid match with compatriot and fourth seed James Snell is in prospect."
Simpson, now based in Harrogate in Yorkshire, is marking his third Tour final appearance. The 23-year-old boasts a 100% record in his previous finals - but Vancouver will be his first for almost two years.