Gaultier & Shabana To Contest Tournament of Champions Final

Top-seeded Frenchman Gregory Gaultier and four-time world champion Amr Shabana will contest the final of the 2014 JP Morgan Tournament of Champions after impressive semi-final victories in the first PSA World Series squash event of the year at Grand Central Terminal in New York.

Shabana, the world No9 from Egypt, defeated England's fourth seed James Willstrop and world No2 Gaultier removed third-seeded Egyptian Mohamed Elshorbagy to set up a final in which there is more than a title at stake.

Victory against Elshorbagy saw Gaultier draw level with England's Nick Matthew atop the world rankings - but a triumph in the final would see him surpass the Yorkshireman to become squash world No1 outright.

"Becoming world No1 again by winning this match was a big goal for me," said Gaultier after his 5-11, 11-6, 11-8, 14-12 win in 75 minutes.

"Being world No1 is a big thing for every player and I'm happy I got through today. Everybody was talking about it and I just tried to focus on the match and my tactics - but it gives you a bit of tension and I started the game flat and he came out on fire," added the 31-year-old from Aix-en-Provence, now in the 56th Tour final of his career.

"Today was my turn - one day it will be his - but I keep pushing to try and beat these young players. One day he'll be up there instead of me so I'm going to enjoy it for a bit but I have another match to play tomorrow.

"Shabana has been unbelievable this week - when he is playing like this he is probably the best player.

"To me he is the most inspiring guy and technically I think he is the best. When I've watched him this week he has inspired me - but that doesn't mean I don't want to beat him - I want to win tomorrow."

Shabana, who impressed in his enthralling four-game win over Willstrop, will also be hoping to end what has been a tough period of time for him - with injury and illness having interrupted his past few seasons - and win his first PSA World Series ranking event since 2011.

"I'm really over the moon," said Shabana after the 11-5, 5-11, 11-5, 11-5 victory which takes the 34-year-old from Cairo into his 46th Tour final.

"Any time you get a win over a player the calibre of James Willstrop you have to be playing your best.

"I've made it to the final and I'm happy but I'm just trying to take it day by and day and do my best. Playing in a final at Grand Central is an amazing experience.

"The crowd really get behind the players and we love it so win or lose you just try and enjoy the experience."

Image courtesy of SquashPics.com