British Nationals Breakthrough For Scot Lobban

Greg Lobban overpowered England's Richie Fallows in straight games in the quarter-finals of the AJ Bell British National Squash Championships in Nottingham to become the first Scot since John White in 2007 to reach the event's last four.

It took the 26-year-old from Inverness 49 minutes to overcome Fallows 11-5, 13-11, 12-10 and set up a semi-final showdown with top-seeded Englishman James Willstrop.

"Richie's really strong, I've played him a few times now," said Lobban. "I had a game plan and I'm pleased I executed it. To reach the semis for the first time feels great. The Nationals is such a prestigious event and one I'd love to win."

Willstrop, the Commonwealth Games gold medallist, cruised through to the semi-finals after overpowering compatriot Nathan Lake 11-4, 11-3, 11-8 in 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, second seed Daryl Selby survived a second successive marathon, grinding out a five-game victory over fellow Englishman Chris Simpson after an intense 98 minutes on court.

The 2011 champion was pushed all the way by compatriot Simpson in dramatic style - levelling after 80 minutes in the nail-biting encounter to come through 7-11, 11-8, 12-14, 11-3, 11-8.

Speaking after the match, Selby said: "Today I actually played very well. Simpo is very tenacious and an unbelievable retriever, he's class. He doesn't give an inch and therefore I didn't give an inch.

"That's what I live for, that type of battle, that gets me going and I hope you guys enjoyed it."

Selby will lock horns with Adrian Waller who produced the day's only seeding upset by overcoming No.4 seed Tom Richards 11-4, 7-11, 17-15 11-3.

"It was a tight match, the first two games went one apiece quite evenly," said Waller, after his first win in 10 years over his higher-ranked English rival.

"The third game took the wind out of both of us but winning it gave me more confidence going into the fourth. Really pleased to win and get through to the semis."

In the women's draw, Welsh defending champion Tesni Evans remains on course for a consecutive national crown after overcoming Julianne Courtice 8-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-7 and set up an intriguing semi-final encounter - their third meeting at this stage in the past four years - with England's Laura Massaro.

Massaro overcame a stern test from compatriot Millie Tomlinson winning 6-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-8 to seal her last four spot.

Meanwhile, second seed and four-time champion Alison Waters dispatched fellow compatriot Fiona Moverley in three to set up a last-four showdown with Emily Whitlock, who enjoyed a straight games victory over Kace Bartley in under half an hour.

Image courtesy of Steve Cubbins