Top Seeds In Capital Form In Maryland

The top two seeds will contest a North American final of the National Capital Open after Canadian Shahier Razik and USA's Julian Illingworth prevailed in straight games in the semi-finals of the $15,000 PSA Tour squash event in Bethesda in the US state of Maryland.

Second seed Illingworth brought to an end the giant-killing run of Martin Knight, beating the unseeded New Zealander 11-4, 11-2, 11-6.

The 25-year-old four-time US champion from New York is celebrating his fourth appearance in a PSA final, but looking for his first win.

Like his south-of-the-border opponent, Razik has also only dropped one game en-route to the final. The 31-year-old No1 seed from Toronto despatched Czech number one Jan Koukal, the third seed, 11-4, 11-6, 11-9 in the other semi.

The experienced Razik is marking his 29th time in a PSA Tour final - and his 12th in a row in North America!

Semi-finals:
[1] Shahier Razik (CAN) bt [3] Jan Koukal (CZE) 11-4, 11-6, 11-9
[2] Julian Illingworth (USA) bt Martin Knight (NZL) 11-4, 11-2, 11-6