Ashour defeats "older brother" Shabana

North American Open 2010

Friday February 26th

Semi Finals

#1 Ramy Ashour def. #3 Amr Shabana 12-14 13-11 7-11 11-7 11-8 (76m)

The current World Champion and former No.1 playing the former World Champion & current No.1; it couldn't be a better billing, and it sure lived up to expectations.

Amr Shabana started the match in control, playing crisp length and carving in deadly volley drops at will. Ashour's astonishing speed allows him to retrieve and win the scrappy rallies, which is all that he had at the beginning of the match. The nucleus of Ashour's armoury, the backhand crosscourt volley drop, wasn't firing as well is it has been all week. Shabana took a lead in the first three games, though Ashour pegged it back each time, firing in some incredible power forehand crosscourt nicks.

Shabana looked to have it sewn up after he breezed through the third game, though let Ashour back in the 4th. It wasn't until the 5th game that both players played at their full potential. Amazing 5 shot rallies ending in a nick, emulating grasscourt tennis, was the order of the day. It was Ashour that received the momentum at the end of the game, though it could so easily have been a different outcome.

Put it down to the energy and confidence of youth. And perhaps the most prodigious squash talent the world has ever seen.

#2 Nick Matthew def. #6 James Willstrop 11-8 11-9 12-10 (62m)

Willstrop never really looked comfortable for the whole of the match. He did take a lead in the first two games, though he was half the player of yesterday. Matthew was hitting a more precise length and bringing the ball short enough on the volley drop to make Willstrop lunge, intercepting the next ball to end the rally at the back of the court.

It was a pattern that was repeated through the match. Willstrop briefly looked in control in the 3rd game, though Matthew levelled the score and from then on it slid away. In what started as an even rivalry, Matthew has won the last 5 matches against Willstrop before tonight. Considering how different a player Willstrop was tonight compared to last night where he destroyed Gaultier, there is a feeling of a slight psychological block, or at the very least a clash of playing styles.

Matthew's movement, especially his recoil recovery from every shot, gives his so much time to anticipate the next shot. This is the element in his game that could lead him to the title tomorrow.