Amr Shabana (EGY) bt Thierry Lincou (FRA) 11-1, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7 in the semi-final of the US Open (photo: SquashSite) Enthralling but contrasting victories by Nick Matthew (pic ri) and Amr Shabana take the former champions from England and Egypt, into the final of the US Open. In the 27th Tour clash between the top 2 Englishmen since June 2001, 2007 champion Matthew powered to his 12th win in a row over James Willstrop (11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 11-7). Later, 2009 champion Shabana extended his career head-to-head record over 6th seed Thierry Lincou to 13-9 with his 11-1, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7 victory in 48 minutes. Matthew and Shabana will be meeting for the 2nd time in two weeks, but the 1st time in a Tour final since reaching the climax of the ATCO PSA World Series Finals in London in January – a match which was never played when the inflatable structure in which it was due to be staged became unsafe.
