Matthew and Ashour prevail in dramatic 5-game US quarters!

"I just didn't want to go home, that's the thing," concluded Ramy Ashour (le) after his 10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 13-11 victory against Peter Barker (photo: Steve Cubbins)

England’s Nick Matthew and Egyptian Ramy Ashour prevailed as predicted to reach the semi-finals of the US Open in Philadelphia, but both players were taken the full distance.

In a sensational second night of quarter-final action, 2nd seed Matthew overturned last year’s final outcome after coming back from 1/2 down to beat Egypt’s twice champion Amr Shabana 11-6, 4-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9 in 92 minutes, while Ramy Ashour (le), the No4 seed, survived a tie-break decider to overcome Englishman Peter Barker (ri) 10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 13-11 in 75 minutes.

Semi-final line-up:
[1] James Willstrop (ENG) v [3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) v [4] Ramy Ashour (EGY)

Quarter-finals (lower half of draw):
[4] Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt [6] Peter Barker (ENG) 10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 13-11 (75m)
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [7] Amr Shabana (EGY) 11-6, 4-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9 (92m)