Selby and Willstrop ensure English finalist in New York!

Daryl Selby (ENG) beat Marwan El Shorbagy (EGY) 11-8, 11-8, 11-8 in the quarter-finals of the Tournament of Champions 2012 to reach his 1st major semi-final (photo: Steve Line)

Straight games victories by Daryl Selby (pic le) and James Willstrop in the 1st two quarter-finals of the JP Morgan Tournament of Champions have ensured English representation in Thursday’s final at Grand Central Terminal in New York.

“Extremely happy to reach my 1st ever major semi final,” tweeted Selby after his emphatic 11-8, 11-8, 11-8 victory over qualifier Marwan El Shorbagy (pic ri), the reigning world junior champion from Egypt to whom he lost a World Open clash last November.

Selby, the only unseeded player to make the last eight, will now face England team-mate James Willstrop, who eased through the quarters after dispatching compatriot Peter Barker 11-4, 11-3, 11-6.

Remaining quarter-final line-up:
[1] Nick Matthew (ENG) v [7] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY)
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v [5] Amr Shabana (EGY).