Palmer & Barker To Contest Chicago Final

Top seeds David Palmer and Peter Barker will contest the final of the Sweet Home Chicago Open after successfully overcoming their semi-final opposition in the $30,000 PSA Tour event in Chicago, the first squash tournament in the USA to be held outdoors.

The all-glass court, dried out after the torrential weekend rains, held centre stage once again at 401 N. Michigan Avenue's Pioneer Plaza - allowing the seeds to come through with stellar performances under the clear, crisp skies of the US city.

Australian David Palmer met US-based Scot John White's stroke work measure for measure in a four-game semi that pitted friends against one another. "Yeah, sure it's hard," Palmer explained. "We're friends; we trained together this afternoon; we're room mates this weekend; we're both competitive. So it's hard," explained Palmer post match.

Aussie-born White, now the Head Coach for Franklin and Marshall's squash team, added: "This is the best I've played since the Dutch Open."

Both played exceptionally well in the front of the court testing one another with flicks and razor sharp drops or cross drops. Palmer now has "the kinks out" of his game and, following his 11-6, 5-11, 11-6, 12-10 win in 42 minutes, is ready for the final.

The reigning British Open champion knew White would 'be a handful'. "He's amazing," said Palmer. "He's not really playing full time any more. So I'm glad it didn't go to five games."

In the second semi-final match of the evening, second seed Peter Barker faced Hisham Mohd Ashour, the sixth seed from Egypt.

The Englishman was glad to be back on the all-glass court after rain forced action onto the indoor courts for the quarter-finals: "It rewards good squash," said the left-hander after his 11-6, 11-7, 11-8 win.

"I ran the ball away from him and moved well," describing the keys to his success against his surprise opponent who upset third seed Olli Tuominen in the quarters. "I watched his movement patterns and tried to keep him on his back foot; the ball away from him," Barker continued.

"David is world number five, so I'll need to be at the top of my game tomorrow night in the final," said Barker.

While Barker is celebrating the 15th PSA Tour final of his career, 32-year-old Palmer is marking his 49th - and his fourth of the year.

Semi-finals:
[1] David Palmer (AUS) bt [4] John White (SCO) 11-6, 5-11, 11-6, 12-10 (42m)
[2] Peter Barker (ENG) bt [6] Hisham Mohd Ashour (EGY) 11-6, 11-7, 11-8 (35m)