Kashif Comeback Fails To Prevent Domestic Duels In South Australian Finals

A courageous fight back by New Zealand's Kashif Shuja against Australian favourite Dan Jenson in the semi-finals of the Mortgage Choice South Australian Open failed to prevent tomorrow's two finals in Somerton, Australia, becoming domestic affairs.

Indeed, Adelaide is guaranteed a local winner of the men's title after Jenson and Mike Corren, the No7 seed, both recorded wins in today's semi-finals. The top seed stemmed the comeback by eighth seed Shuja to win 11-10 (2-0), 11-2, 6-11, 2-11, 11-4 - while Corren ended the giant-killing run of Queensland's Steve Finitsis 11-9, 11-4, 11-10 (2-0).

Jenson is looking for his second PSA Tour title in a row following his win at the Naracoorte Open, also in South Australia, while Salt Lake City-based Corren has also been in good form recently, capturing two titles in Western Australia last month.

Jenson said he thought his match with Shuja was over when he took the first two games and took an early lead in the third. "That was a big mistake," admitted the former world No5 three days after his 31st birthday. "When he took the third and then the fourth he was looking a bit better than me.

"I went down 3-1 in the fifth, but then I won nine points in a row to get to game ball. But it was a tough match."

Jenson and Corren - who is celebrating his 20th PSA Tour final appearance - have known each other for years and are training together during the Australian circuit. "I expect it to be tough," Jenson said. "I like to think I know his game pretty well, but then he probably thinks he knows mine."

Kasey Brown will be looking to continue her winning form when she takes on fellow Aussie Dianne Desira in the women's final. The 20-year-old Brown, from Taree in New South Wales, upset second seed Melissa Martin in four games in their semi-final, while Desira beat unseeded Donna Urquhart in five games.

Brown, the third seed, was on court for 65 minutes before accounting for Martin 9-6, 9-5, 6-9, 9-2, her second win over her compatriot in two weeks following victory in the Naracoorte Open two weeks ago. On that occasion Brown won easily in straight games but Martin put up a much better fight in Somerton and will have gained confidence from her performance.

In the other semi-final, fourth seed Desira ended the run of Urquhart, who had beaten top seed Amelia Pittock in the first round, 9-3, 4-9, 9-4, 8-10, 9-7.

Desira will have to be in top form to take the title from Brown, who is one match away from her third successive WISPA World Tour title.

Men's semi-finals:
[1] Dan Jenson (AUS) bt [8] Kashif Shuja (NZL) 11-10 (2-0), 11-2, 6-11, 2-11, 11-4 (56m)
[7] Mike Corren (AUS) bt Steve Finitsis (AUS) 11-9, 11-4, 11-10 (2-0) (35m)

Women's semi-finals:
[4] Dianne Desira (AUS) bt Donna Urquhart (AUS) 9-3, 4-9, 9-4, 8-10, 9-7 (60m)
[3] Kasey Brown (AUS) bt [2] Melissa Martin (AUS) 9-6, 9-5, 6-9, 9-2 (65m)