Coppinger Powers To Persian Gulf Cup Final

South African Stephen Coppinger claimed a surprise place in the final of the Kish Persian Gulf Cup after upsetting second-seeded Dutchman Dylan Bennett in the semi-finals of the $10,000 PSA Tour squash event at the Kish Olympic Squash Centre in Kish Island, Iran.

The UK-based third seed battled for 43 minutes to beat fellow 24-year-old Bennett 11-6, 9-11, 11-7, 11-6 to earn his seventh appearance in a Tour final.

Coppinger will face event favourite Tom Richards after the Englishman from Surrey despatched St George's Hill club-mate Joe Lee 11-4, 11-6, 11-6 in 33 minutes.

Richards, 22, from Walton-on-Thames, is celebrating his fourth PSA Tour final.

Semi-finals:
[1] Tom Richards (ENG) bt [6] Joe Lee (ENG) 11-4, 11-6, 11-6 (33m)
[3] Stephen Coppinger (RSA) bt [2] Dylan Bennett (NED) 11-6, 9-11, 11-7, 11-6 (43m)