Castagnet Captures Final Slot In Hithercroft Open

French qualifier Mathieu Castagnet achieved the best PSA Tour success of his career to date when he made it through to the final of the Hithercroft Open at the Hithercroft Squash Club in the English county of Oxfordshire.

The 20-year-old from Le Mans despatched fellow qualifier John Rooney, from Ireland, 7-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-4 in 55 minutes - and is now one match away from recording his first Tour title success.

His opponent spent 40 minutes longer reaching the 14th Tour final of his career: In an eagerly-anticipated all-English semi, favourite Joey Barrington dashed the hopes of local hero Scott Handley by beating the third seed from Wallingford 8-11, 11-5, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5 in a 95-minute marathon.

Semi-finals:
[1] Joey Barrington (ENG) bt [3] Scott Handley (ENG) 8-11, 11-5, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5 (95m)
[Q] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) bt [Q] John Rooney (IRL) 7-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-4 (55m)