British Nationals: Perry Shocks Waters in Last-Gasp Semi Final Win, Matthew & Selby to Vie for Men's Title by Scarlett Smith
February 14, 2015
- Reigning champion Alison Waters suffered a shock defeat at the hands
of world number 16 Sarah-Jane Perry in today’s semi final match at the
2015 National Squash Championships.
Warwickshire’s Perry took a 2-1 lead against the in-form Waters in a
feisty battle between the pair. Waters, the world number 5,
battled back to 2-2 and even had match ball at 10/9 in the fifth but in
a quick twist of fate it was Perry who clinched the match on a stroke
decision to claim her spot in her first ever National Championship
final 8/11, 11/7, 13/11, 6/11, 12/10.
“It was a bit of a weird one in the end, she had match ball and then it
was a bit of a harsh decision to give the stroke but I’m ecstatic to
reach the final,” commented Perry.
“I played really well and I stepped it up a bit today and I think I’ll
need to again tomorrow. I've never beaten Laura before so I will
have to be on top form,” added the 24 year old.
It was a more straight forward affair for two time national champion
Laura Massaro who opened proceedings at the National Squash Centre with
a 11/4, 11/7, 11/8 victory over Victoria Lust.
The 31 year old said: “I don’t think Victoria played as well as she can
do today. I've put myself in a position where I’m in another
final and you never know what can happen then. There are a lot of
exciting younger players coming through to keep us on our toes. I
feel hungry for the title this year and I’m looking forward to finals
day, it’s always a great atmosphere in Manchester.”
In the men’s event Daryl Selby blamed ‘mental weakness’ for a slow
start in the first men’s semi final of the day. Adrian Waller
raced to a 11/4, 11/5 lead before Selby, the 2011 champion regrouped
and pulled the match back into his favour to win in five.
Speaking afterwards Selby said: "At 2-0 down it wasn't looking good,
mentally I was fragile. I haven't seen my little boy much over
the past month and spending a night at home with him seemed more
appealing to be honest. That's a bad thing to say as a
professional squash player, my dad told me after the second game that
my son Noah wouldn't want me to lose 3-0 so I pulled myself together
and started playing a lot better.
“I don't want to take anything away from Adrian because he was awesome
in the first two games, I obviously just need to go away and work on my
mental side with someone!" added Selby.
Selby will meet six time national champion Nick Matthew in the men’s
final after the Yorkshireman dispatched Guernsey’s Chris Simpson 11/9,
11/8, 11/6.
“He kept fighting back, but I got there in the end. Good to see
so many youngsters coming through this week with four brand new semi
finalists,” said Matthew.
The event run in conjunction with Manchester City Council also welcomes
over a thousand of Manchester’s school children to the National Squash
Centre as part of the event’s legacy programme. Children will have the
chance to experience live squash, meet the players and take part in
mini-squash activities.
Women’s semi final results:
[1] Laura Massaro (Lancs) bt [5/8] Victoria Lust (Bedfordshire) 11/4, 11/7, 11/8 (30m)
