Frankcomb Battles To All-Aussie Bethesda Semi

It took five games for Aaron Frankcomb to overcome Egyptian teenager Tarek Momen in the quarter-finals of the National Capital Open to set up an all-Aussie clash with second seed Cameron Pilley in the semi-finals of the inaugural 2 Star PSA Tour squash event in Bethesda in the US state of Maryland.

Frankcomb, the 22-year-old third seed from Queensland, recovered from a game down to beat 19-year-old Momen, the fifth seed and former British Junior U15 Open champion, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6, 3-11, 11-6 in 56 minutes.

Pilley, a quarter-finalist in last week's Dayton Open in Ohio, defeated Frenchman Mathieu Castagnet, the No8 seed, 11-9, 11-10 (2-0), 11-7.

Tom Richards, the 21-year-old Englishman who sprung the only surprise in the first round, went down in the quarter-finals to top seed Laurens Jan Anjema. The 25-year-old Dutchman from The Hague won 11-4, 11-7, 11-10 (2-0) - and will now face Irishman Liam Kenny, the No4 seed who despatched Australian Ryan Cuskelly 11-8, 11-5, 11-3.

Quarter-finals:
[1] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt Tom Richards (ENG) 11-4, 11-7, 11-10 (2-0) (42m)
[4] Liam Kenny (IRL) bt [7] Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) 11-8, 11-5, 11-3 (38m)
[3] Aaron Frankcomb (AUS) bt [5] Tarek Momen (EGY) 8-11, 11-6, 11-6, 3-11, 11-6 (56m)
[2] Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt [8] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) 11-9, 11-10 (2-0), 11-7 (49m)