After overturning recent form, it will be 3rd seed Greg Gaultier and No4 seed Ramy Ashour (ri) who contest the unexpected final of the US Open following the exit of the 2 top seeds from England in the semi-finals in Philadelphia.
Gaultier was ahead throughout and always seemed to be in charge of the rallies. It was a fine performance from Gaultier that earned the 29-year-old from France a well-deserved 11-7, 11-2, 11-8 win, and a place in the 46th Tour final of his career.
In fact Ashour claimed the other place in the final in 74 minutes – with a performance that was entirely different from his display in the previous round when he beat Peter Barker after saving a match-ball in the decider. His opponent was another Englishman Nick Matthew (le), the 2nd seed bidding to reach a 2nd successive final.
Matthew took an early lead lost the 1st game 15-13. But the world No2 managed to level. It was the 25-year-old from Cairo who raced away to clinch the 15-13, 8-11, 11-8, 11-4 victory with a trademark volley drop.
Final: [3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v [4] Ramy Ashour (EGY)
Semi-finals:
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [1] James Willstrop (ENG) 11-7, 11-2, 11-8 (53m)
[4] Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt [2] Nick Matthew (ENG) 15-13, 8-11, 11-8, 11-4 (74m)