Iskandar Beats British Open Champion To Claim Top Scalp In New York

Malaysia's Mohd Azlan Iskandar toppled British Open champion Nick Matthew in the semi-finals of the Village Open to secure the biggest scalp of his career in New York, USA.

The fifth seed from Sarawak dropped the first game to Matthew, the second seed playing in his first PSA Tour event since becoming the first home-grown Englishman to win the prestigious British Open crown since 1939!

But 24-year-old Iskandar, ranked 16 in the world, took control of the match thereafter and maintained his focus to clinch a morale-boosting 5-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 victory over the world No8 after 70 minutes.

The stunning win in this new $85,000 5-star PSA Tour event at the Printing House Fitness & Squash Club in New York takes Iskandar into his 13th PSA final - but the biggest by far!

The Malaysian's opponent in the Village Open climax will be favourite David Palmer, the World Open champion from Australia who overcame fellow countryman Stewart Boswell, the sixth seed, 11-8, 11-9, 11-5 in 55 minutes in the other semi-final.

The win marks world No2 Palmer's 41st career PSA Tour final - and the 30-year-old's fourth this year.

Semi-finals:
[1] David Palmer (AUS) bt [6] Stewart Boswell (AUS) 11-8, 11-9, 11-5 (55m)
[5] Mohd Azlan Iskandar (MAS) bt [2] Nick Matthew (ENG) 5-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9 (70m)