Illingworth Makes Salt Lake City Final
by Howard Harding
July 30, 2011 - US champion Julian Illingworth stormed into the final of the Squashworks Salt Lake City Open after ending the brave run of English qualifier Declan James in the PSA World Tour Challenger 10 event at Squashworks in Salt Lake City, USA.
Illingworth, winner of a record seven US national titles, reached the semi-finals without dropping a game - and maintained his form against James, defeating the 18-year-old from Nottingham 11-4, 11-5, 11-7.
Now in his third PSA World Tour final of the year - and the 15th of his career - top seed Illingworth, 27, from New York, will face North American rival Shawn Delierre, the No2 seed from Canada.
After surviving a 95-minute quarter-final, Delierre faced unseeded Mexican Erik Tepos Valtierra. (Contrary to reports originally provided by the Salt Lake City event organisers, Valtierra upset third-seeded American Christopher Gordon to reach the last four.
And in yet another marathon encounter in the 29-year-old from Montreal's career, Delierre overcame the Mexican 11-5, 8-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-9 in 105 minutes to reach the 13th Tour final of his career, but his first this year.
Semifinal Results - July 29, 2011
PSA $10,000 Squashworks Salt Lake City Open
Julian Illingworth (US) defeated Declan James (ENG):
11-4, 11-5, 11-7 (40 minutes)
Shawn Delierre (CAN) defeated Erik Tepos Valtierra (MEX):
11-5, 8-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-9 (105 minutes)
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