Matthew & Darwish Reach Gerrard Final

Egypt's World No1 Amr Shabana again opened proceedings in the third qualifying round of the Gerrard British Grand Prix at the National Squash Centre in Manchester. His clash against England's Nick Matthew in the Gerrard Group was effectively the first semi-final of this year's event with both players holding a 100% record.

Matthew, the World No.8, quickly took the match to Shabana and closed out the first game 11-8, and then following two more tight games, ran out the victor 11-8 7-11 11-8 11-1 to win the Gerrard Group and secure a place in Monday's final.

"I was disappointed with my early exit from the World Open in Cairo, but it gave me more time to prepare for the Gerrard British Grand Prix," said Matthew, before adding: "I've been looking to do well here to get me back on track for the Dunlop British Open next week in Nottingham."

The mouth-watering prospect of a match featuring the World No.2 and newly crowned World Champion David Palmer and World No.3 Thierry Lincou was not lost on the Sportcity gallery. A high quality match was thoroughly enjoyed by the crowd culminating in an 11-4 11-9 8-11 11-8 win for Lincou.

Australian David Palmer said: "It was great match practice for the Dunlop British Open but I've been frustrated in my matches since the World Open."

France's Thierry Lincou was in a more buoyant mood after recording his first win in the event: "It's good to finally get a win!" He continued: "It's always tough against David but now I can enjoy my match tomorrow."

In the next match, Peter Barker recorded his first ever win over arch-rival and World No.4 James Willstrop, coming back from 1-2 down to win 4-11 11-4 8-11 11-8 11-8 in 67 minutes.

The 22 year-old left hander from Essex was delighted with his victory, saying: "That's my first ever win against James after many attempts! He is such a strong player, but also a good friend. It feels good to record a first win!"

In the last match of the men's third qualifying round, England's Lee Beachill and World No.10 Karim Darwish faced each other with the reward being the top place in the Manchester Group and a final appearance against Nick Matthew.

The match went the full distance first swaying one way and then the other before Darwish prevailed to move into the final 10-11(0-2) 11-10(5-3) 9-11 11-7 11-6 in 63 minutes.

Darwish, a former World Junior Champion, was delighted saying: "It was a gruelling match and I'm really pleased to reach the final, but I know that Nick is very focussed and so it will be a tough match."

"Karim has had a great tournament and played very well." said three-time British National Champion Lee Beachill, before adding: "I'm happy and have been hitting the ball well - I just needed a bit of luck!"

And so to the Gerrard British Grand Prix Women's Final where the lowest ranked player in the event, World No.10 Alison Waters produced a characteristically determined performance to beat England No.3 Jenny Duncalf in three closely contested games 9-7 9-7 10-9 in 49 minutes.

A delighted Alison explained: "I changed my technique in an effort to compete with the top girls and it's now paying dividends - I've had a great 12 months and I'm now hoping to continue this form for the next twelve months."

The 3/4 Play-off saw England No.1 Tania Bailey beating compatriot Vicky Botwright 10-8 9-4 in 36 minutes to take third place.

3rd Qualifying Round:
Manchester Group
Karim Darwish (EGY) bt Lee Beachill (ENG) 10-11(0-2), 11-10(5-3), 9-11, 11-7, 11-6 (63m)
Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt David Palmer (AUS) 11-4, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8 (68m)

Gerrard Group
Nick Matthew (ENG) bt Amr Shabana (EGY) 11-8, 7-11, 11-8, 11-1 (47m)
Peter Barker (ENG) bt James Willstrop (ENG) 4-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8 (67m)

Gerrard British Grand Prix Women's Final:
Alison Waters (ENG) bt Jenny Duncalf (ENG) 9-7, 9-7, 10-9 (49m)
Third place play-off:
Tania Bailey (ENG) bt Vicky Botwright (ENG) 10-8, 9-4 (36m)