Ashour survives as Palmer retires!

The 2nd quarter-final match of the North American Open ended unlucky as 2-times world champion David Palmer (pic ri) had to concede his match against current world champion Nick Matthew (ENG, pic le) as the Australian led 9-8 in the 1st game, after both players collide at the t-area. Before 4-times world champion Amr Shabana of Egypt overcame Malaysian Azlan Iskandar after 4 tight games (11-7, 6-11, 12-10, 12-10). After coming back from 1 game down, James Willstrop eased into the semis when he beat his English compatriot Peter Barker 7-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-5 after 49 minutes of play. In the last quarter-final match in Richmond, world No2 Ramy Ashour (EGY) and Frenchman Greg Gaultier who just came back from a 2 month injury break celebrated 5 tight games of high-class squash. As in the previous 5 clashes the Egyptian had the better end in the 5th and final game (11-5, 9-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-8).

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