RESULTS: internationalSPORTgroup British Open Squash Championships, Manchester, England
Women's semi-final:
[5] Madeline Perry (IRL) bt [3] Alison Waters (ENG) 10-12, 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 (63m)
[2] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [4] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) 11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6 (48m)
Madeline Perry became the first ever Irish player to reach the women's final after beating England's Alison Waters. The world No8 from Belfast, who produced the event's biggest shock when she ousted hot favourite Nicol David, the world number one and defending champion from Malaysia, will now face three-time champion Rachael Grinham, of Australia.
Fifth seed Madeline Perry produced the game of her life to beat Nicol David in the quarter-finals of the $53,500 WISPA World Tour Gold championship - and maintained her run in the semis, recovering from a game down to defeat third seed Waters 10-12, 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 in 63 minutes.
"I wanted to play well after beating Nicol yesterday - it would have been disappointing to then lose in the semi-finals," said the 32-year-old world No8 from Banbridge, near Belfast.
"I was aware that Alison would come out fast and furious and I had to be up for it and work hard.
"Obviously beating the world number one boosts your confidence," added Perry. "I've beaten a few good players, but not a lot of world number ones!
"I am very proud of where I come from - so reaching the final of the British Open should put me up there with the best Northern Irish squash players."
In the other women's semi, Yorkshire's Jenny Duncalf failed to reach the final for the second year in a row. The world number six from Harrogate went down 11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6 to Rachael Grinham, the second-seeded Australian who is looking for her fourth title.
"I'm happy to be in a major final - and the fact that it's the British Open makes it even better," stated the 32-year-old from Queensland who won the title in 2003, 2004 and 2007. "I felt better about the way I played today - the further I get through the draw, the better I feel. My accuracy was a lot better. I can definitely enter the court tomorrow feeling a lot more relaxed."
Duncalf was devastated by the loss: "It was a wasted opportunity - with Nicol out, it opened up the draw. I was edgy the whole time, I just wasn't timing it right and miss-hit everything.
"I'm disappointed that I just didn't play well - but she played a good game."
Official website: www.isportgroup.com/BritishOpenSquash
