Massaro & Perry To Contest Monte Carlo Climax

Top seed Laura Massaro, the defending champion from England, and Madeline Perry, the second seed from Ireland, will contest the final of the Women's Monte Carlo Classic after both dismissed French opponent in the semi-finals of the $25,300 WISPA World Tour squash championship at Stade Louis II in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Perry, runner-up in 2005, had been in a rich vein of form in recent months - getting to the final of the British Open with a win against Nicol David on the way was ample evidence of this. But in the previous round against Aisling Blake she hadn't looked at her sharpest.

Meanwhile, her third-seeded opponent Isabelle Stoehr had had a mixed year - but had perversely seemed to pick up as younger compatriot Camille Serme overtook her in the rankings.

The 10 times Irish champion took the first game comfortably, but the focus of the French girl was clear - and when Stoehr wrong-footed Perry to take the second, the exuberant shriek accompanying the two fist pump spoke volumes.

Perry took control in the next two games before clinching the match 11-5, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8 after 49 minutes.

"I was feeling sharper today and really wanted to get a good start," said the 32-year-old from Belfast, now in her fourth Tour final of the year, and the 16th of her career.

"It is difficult to get a rhythm against Isabelle as she plays some great shots in patches. I knew I would need to be consistent all the way through.

"The way that I have been playing the last few months it would be great to get a title - especially to do it here in Monte Carlo!"

Stoehr's successor as French number one was in action in the other semi: Top seed Laura Massaro is as consistent a performer as they come. Meanwhile Camille Serme is a product that is still being polished.

And as she took on Massaro, it was clear why the 20-year-old from Creteil is rising fast. Versatile and resilient she pressured the Classic title-holder from the start, much to the delight of the spectators.

Serme took the opening two games. But the favourite's steadiness shone through in the next two games as Massaro drew level.

However, Serme reclaimed the advantage in the decider to take a 7-3 lead, and then stand at match-ball at 10-7. But four dramatic points later gave Massaro her first match ball.

And the contest came to a disappointing conclusion when a loose drive down the centre hit the nick under the door and died - giving the match to Massaro 9-11, 11-13, 11-5, 11-6, 12-10 after 65 minutes.

"I thought it was a terrible way to end, for her to win like that," said a tearful Serme afterwards.

Massaro is now celebrating the 12th WISPA final of her career - and looking to become only the third player since 1997 to successfully defend the Monaco crown.

Semi-finals:
[1] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [4] Camille Serme (FRA) 9-11, 11-13, 11-5, 11-6, 12-10 (65m)
[2] Madeline Perry (IRL) bt [3] Isabelle Stoehr (FRA) 11-5, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8 (49m)