RESULTS: Punj Lloyd PSA Masters, New Delhi, India
Semi-finals:
[2] James Willstrop (ENG) bt [14] Hisham Mohd Ashour (EGY) 11-8, 11-2, 11-5 (32m)
[1] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [3] Amr Shabana (EGY) 11-9, 11-4 ret. (22m)
England squash rivals Nick Matthew and James Willstrop will line up for their third major international final in three months when they contest the climax of the $192,500 Punj Lloyd PSA Masters, the tenth and final PSA Super Series championship of the year at the Sirifort CWG Block in the Indian capital New Delhi.
It was at the same venue that the pair battled for the Commonwealth Games gold medal in October - and last week Matthew repeated his victory over fellow Yorkshireman Willstrop in the World Open final in Saudi Arabia to become England's first winner of the sport's ultimate title.
Second seed Willstrop triumphed in today's first semi-final when he beat surprise Egyptian opponent Hisham Mohd Ashour, the 14th seed from Cairo, 11-8, 11-2, 11-5 in 32 minutes.
The 27-year-old world No5 from Leeds is celebrating the 24th Tour final of his career, and his fifth this year.
Top seed Matthew, whose success in the previous round ensured that he will start next year as the world number one, faced Egyptian star Amr Shabana, the third seed and a four-time winner of the world title.
It was after the 30-year-old from Sheffield won the first two games that Shabana conceded the match before the third as a result of a pulled muscle in his stomach.
"It's obviously not the ideal way to make the final, without the entire match being completed," said Matthew later. "I hope Shabana gets well soon, because we need him strong and back on the Tour come the New Year - I wish him a speedy recovery.
"The final tomorrow is a rematch of the World Championship and the Commonwealth Games, and James is a terrific player and playing him is always a difficult proposition," continued the current world number two, now in the 37th Tour final of his career.
"We have played scores of times against one another and I look forward to yet another episode of this rivalry."
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