DSR Predicts Today's US Open Semis
from DailySquashReport.com
Thursday October 11, 2012
Women's Semifinals
Nicol David v Joelle King
The 10th-ranked 24-year-old New Zealander is having the tournament of her life. She had to win two qualifiers to get into the main draw, and then took care of 5th and 4th-ranked Nour El Sherbini and Jenny Duncalf back-to-back to reach the semis. David has found her comfort zone though, and hasn't dropped a game. On this stage, it would take a monster effort from Joelle combined with an off-day for Nicol, which isn't going to happen.
David 3-1
Laura Massaro v Raneem El Weleily
This could be a good one. World #2 Massaro hasn't lost one game since the quarters of the NY Weymuller. Since then she has straight-setted top-10 players Waters, El Weleily and Perry. If Raneem can lengthen the points and grind enough, she should come through. But that's not her game.
Massaro 3-2
Men's Semifinals
James Willstrop v Gregory Gaultier
Willstrop has gutted out three 80-plus minute matches to get to the semis. Gaultier was only pushed in his quarterfinal, losing the first game to Darwish but then cotrolling the match 5, 5 and 4. Very hard to pick against the world #1, but the Frenchman's game is where he wants it, and this will be his night.
Gaultier 3-2
Ramy Ashour v Nick Matthew
Always a tough call. Both players' quarters went down to the wire in the fifth, but Matthew had the slightly rougher physical battle. The no-rest-day format could be a factor. Ashour has not yet lit it up in the way he is capable, but showed against Barker that he can play basic squash as well as anyone in the world. Matthew is a battler second to none, but may wear down just enough.
Ashour 3-2
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