Beachill & Ricketts To Contest First-Time Super Series Finals Final

Straight games victories in the semi-finals of the Brit Insurance Super Series Finals at the Broadgate Arena in London take England's Lee Beachill and Australia's Anthony Ricketts into their first final in the PSA Tour's annual blue riband event.

Beachill clinched the opening match to keep alive his bid to become the first Briton to win the title in five years. The Commonwealth Games bronze medallist from Yorkshire made light work of France's Thierry Lincou, beating the 2004 champion 11-5, 11-5 11-8 in 47 minutes to reach the final for the first time.

Beaten by the Frenchman in last year's semi-finals, Beachill believes he can become the first home player to win the $75,000 end-of-season title since former world number one Peter Nicol in 2001.

"I haven't lost yet and I'm feeling good and playing well. I'm definitely fired up to win," said the 28-year-old from Pontefract who has just slipped out of the world's top ten.

"I wasn't aware of how long it had been since Peter won the event but it would be nice to end that sequence."

Beachill topped the world rankings in October 2004 and he looked back to his best as he despatched Lincou in his first ever PSA Tour victory over the current world number three.

But with the Frenchman competing in his ninth game in nine days - following victory in last week's Liverpool 08 Open - Beachill knew this was an opportunity not to be missed.

But the current world number 11 refused to accept that he had a physical advantage over Lincou.

"I knew he had a tough week last week - but I've only had one less game," he added. "However, I knew if I went in and played well, I could dominate the game and beat him."

In the second semi-final, Ricketts crushed world number one Amr Shabana to reach Friday's final on the all-glass court at London's Broadgate.

"As long as I can start well, I give myself a good chance against anyone," said the 26-year old from Sydney who swept aside Shabana 11-7, 11-5, 11-7 in just 31 minutes.

"The final is very special and I'm delighted to be through. All the greats have won this event and I want to get my name up there with them," enthused the British Open champion.

"I felt good throughout the semi and felt I executed my shots well. If I can repeat that then I'm confident I can win but if I start slowly, I could be in trouble."

The tournament's second seed opted out of last week's Liverpool 08 Open - a fact he believes could give him a physical edge over Beachill, who was knocked out in the semi-finals seven days ago.

"I think going into the tournament without playing in Liverpool is only going to help you," added the 27-year-old. "I've been getting stronger with each match and playing well. I'm really moving well around the court, which is a big thing for my game.

"I'm in good shape and I've given myself a great chance to win."

The final will be the pair's second meeting this week on the Broadgate court. Beachill beat Ricketts for only the first time in three career Tour meetings in the event's first qualifying round on Monday - fighting back from 1/2 down to triumph in 70 minutes.

Semi-finals:
[7] Lee Beachill (ENG) bt [3] Thierry Lincou (FRA) 11-5, 11-5, 11-8 (47m)
[2] Anthony Ricketts (AUS) bt [5] Amr Shabana (EGY) 11-4, 11-6, 11-6 (31m)