A week after it all started we were down to the finals at the National Squash Centre, seventeen National titles to be won, some wonderful matches in prospect, and finals day didn’t disappoint.

It all kicked off at 11 with the EDSA (English Deaf Squash Association) Final, the Masters starting at the same time, concluding with the much-anticipated women’s and men’s finals. Steve Cubbins reports …

Laura Still the Champion

One of the questions that many were asking in the buildup to the 2012 Nationals Women’s final was ‘how close can Alison Waters be to her best, this soon after a long injury layoff’.

The two-time champion had certainly looked good in the previous rounds, but now she would be up against the current world number four, WISPA player of the year and of course the defending champion.

In the first game the answer had to be ‘not very close’, as Massaro romped through to take the lead 11/2, aided ad abetted by some unforced errors from Waters.

For the next two games though the answer was ‘pretty much there’ as the pair contested two games that could have gone either way, scarcely a point between them and no shortage of qualify shotmaking and retrieving. Massaro took the second 11/9, Waters the third 11/8.

An early lead from the defending champion in the fourth proved to be decisive though, as in typically determined fashion she pressed home her advantage, 4/1,  6/2, 6/3 and assuming complete control now took five in a row to retain the title.

No great celebrations, just a little skip, but a very satisfied and a very worthy repeat champion, and the distinct prospect of Britain having four of the top five in the world rankings sooner rather than later.

“The national title is huge for all British players – there are some big names on that trophy. To be able to win it last year was special, so do it again is fantastic, I was disappointed not to defend my title last month in Cleveland, so it is good to defend this one

“Ali was such a good player before she got that terrible injury.  To get back to this level, after what she’s been through last year, is incredible.

“It’s great to think I’ll be on the poster again for next year, but this time  I want to be the big one at the front !”

Laura Massaro

“I’ve got mixed feelings – I’d like to have won, of course,  I haven’t played a match like that for so long.  I didn’t think I played badly at all, but she’s improved so much since I’ve been away.

“On the other hand, if you’d told me at the start of the week that I’d be in the final, I would have bitten your leg off …”

Alison Waters

Matthew the master again

He went into the match as the world champion, the world number one and the three-time champion, but Nick Matthew was only the second seed for the men’s final. James Willstrop, himself a two-time champion who usurped Matthew’s number one spot at the end of last year, was top seed. Until Matthew had wrested it back of course, in last month’s ToC final in New York.

But Matthew had a  31-9 winning record to bolster him, including wins in the World, British, Commonwealth and National finals, and had won their last 18 encounters, which has to give you a bit of a head start, you’d feel.

It certainly seemed to in the first two games. The first was tough, as you’d expect, but from 3-all Matthew always had the slight edge, finishing it off 11/8 as Willstrop attempted a repeat of the sublime volley drop that had saved one game ball, only to find the tin this time to finish the 14-minute game.

In the second Matthew exerted the sort of control that he can and does so often, working his opponent around the court, making it harder and harder and harder for his opponent until finally a loose return arrives, the ball is just too tight, or the opponent just can’t get there any more. Turning the screw, it’s called, and Matthew was turning it relentlessly from 4/0 to 7/2, hit  two consecutive dead nicks at the back of the court for 9/3 and 10/3, and in just 11 minutes was two-nil up, 11/3.

It was looking ominous for James – even his manager thought so – but from mid-point of the third game the screwdriver seemed to change hands. The rallies were still relentlessly tough, for both of them, but slowly, and surely, it was Matthew who was being put under more and more pressure, Willstrop who was beginning to control proceedings.

From 5-all he took four points in a row, and to the delight of the Popntefract faction in the crowd pulled a game back 11/6 after 15 minutes.

The fourth was a monster. Thirty-five minutes long, the momentum swayed one way then the other, the tension racking up after every point, but the players still managed to keep up a brilliant level of squash, any one of a number of rallies could have been a standalone advert for the professional game.

At the start of it Willstrop still seemed to have the slight edge, but two drops that clipped the tin helped Matthew to lead 4/2. Back Willstrop came though to 5-all. Then came probably the longest rally of the year so far – ending in a let, of course. And byu now they each had their own screwdriver, first one then the other would exert marginal control, and that’s how it stayed until the end, which was still some way off.

6-all, 7-all, Willstrop goes up 9-7, a stroke pulls it back to 9-8 but a superb midcourt drop gives Willstrop two game balls at 10/8.

Another stroke as Willstrop struggled to clear his own dropshot, then a counterdrop from Matthew and it was 10-all.

A tin from Willstrop and it’s a first match ball for Matthew. Huge rally, Matthew’s sure he’s won it on a stroke. Let. A dropshot for the title, tin, 11-all.

Willstrop goes sprawling as he attempts to reach a dropshot in the front forehand corner, 12-11 match ball.

A patient rally, a floated length that died in the back corner and a huge Pontefract cheer for 12-all.

A floated drive under no pressure goes just out of court, 13/12 match ball again.

Another long rally, Nick slowly, slowly builds the pressure and eventually, eventually, he drives it deep with James too far out of position to recover. He turns, arms raised to celebrate his record-equalling fourth title.

81 minutes have gone. Some match, some players.

“I played the best squash of my career for the first two and a half games, but for all his racket skills James is also one of the most determined opponents I’ve ever played, it was just brutal.  We may be great rivals but we have a good deal of respect for each other.

“It was one of the biggest disappointments of my career – losing the title last year, so it means a lot to me to win it for a record-equalling fourth time.”

Nick Matthew

“I’m not worried about what happened score-wise – it’s more about what’s happening in the match and making sure that I’m in it.

“People keep mentioning the run – and that’s great –  but the key thing is my squash maintains a high standard and I give it my best.

“I was disappointed not to win, but not disappointed in my performance.”

James Willstrop

Howard Harding reports

Nick Matthew prevailed in the historic men’s British National Championship final between the top two players in the world when he beat fellow Yorkshireman James Willstrop in an 81-minute display of dazzling world class squash at theNational Squash Centre in Manchester.

The 31-year-old from Sheffield went into the match against Leeds-based Willstrop boasting a 31-9 career head-to-head advantage – with a winning streak of 18 matches over the past four years.

But 28-year-old Willstrop has hit the best form of his career recently – leading to taking over as world number one last month.

Matthew, who regained the world’s top ranking this month, admitted that he had to play some of the best squash of his career to fend off his county rival in the much-touted national final.

After taking the first two games and leading in the third, Matthew was unable to prevent Willstrop recover to reduce the deficit – and, in the fourth, move to within a point of forcing a decider.

But after a series of stunning rallies and on his third match ball, Matthew clinched an 11-8, 11-3, 6-11, 14-12 victory after 81 minutes to win a record-equalling fourth title.

“James put up an amazing fight, as always,” Matthew told the packed Manchester crowd afterwards. “People talk about his racket skills, but he’s also the most determined player I’ve played. It was just brutal.

“Everyone talks about the rivalry, but there’s also a great deal of respect between us.”

Matthew reached last year’s final, as expected, but lost out to England team-mate Daryl Selby.

“It was one of the biggest disappointments of my career – losing the title last year.

“Tonight, I feel I played the best squash of my career for the first two and a half games.

“It means a lot to me to win the title for a record-equalling fourth time,” added Matthew.

Willstrop, who this week also launched his autobiography “Shot and a Ghost”, was not wholly downhearted: “I was disappointed not to win, but not disappointed in my performance.

“I’m not worried about what happened score-wise – it’s more about what’s happening in the match and making sure that I’m in it,” explained the world number two and twice former champion.

“People keep mentioning the run – and that’s great. But the key thing is my squash maintains a high standard and I give it my best.”

Laura Massaro became the first player to successfully defend the women’s title for eight years when she beat LondonerAlison Waters 11-2, 11-9, 8-11, 11-4.

Waters, a former world No3, was making a comeback after Achilles surgery and was returning to competitive action for the first time since the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India.

Massaro took the opening two games and led 7-4 in the third. But Waters rediscovered her former form to come back to take the game before the 28-year-old from Preston took control in the fourth to close out the match after 53 minutes.

“The national title is huge for all British players – there are some big names on that trophy,” said the exuberant Massaro after her second successive title.

“To be able to win it last year was special, so to do it again is fantastic.

“I was disappointed not to defend my title in Cleveland (USA) last month, so it is good to defend this one.

“Ali was such a good player before she got that terrible injury. To get back to this level, after what she’s been through last year, is incredible.”

Waters was understandably disappointed: “I’ve got mixed feelings – I’d like to have won, of course.

“I haven’t played a match like that for so long. I didn’t think I played badly at all. But she’s improved so much since I’ve been away.

“But if you’d told me at the start of the week that I’d be in the final, I would have bitten your leg off!”

Finals day in the Masters ….

Presentation and Action photos in the Gallery

The last one to win, in the longest match of all …

Presentation and Action photos in the Gallery

Waters, Massaro, Willstrop and Matthew set up Double Dream Final

No rest days, split rounds, differing stages of the draws, today was purely and simply semi-final day.

At the end of it we’re left with two finals that have no trouble filling that probably overused ‘dream’ billing as the returning from injury two-time champion takes on the local reigning champion in the women’s final, while the world numbers one and two will battle it out to see which of them can regain the men’s title.

Double dream final … we think so … and don’t forget:
Masters Semis results, reports, photos

Massaro still the champion

Well, for another day, at least, as Lancashire’s Laura Massaro beat Madeline Perry in straight games to make it five semi-finals but no final in six years for the Irish world number three (on her birthday too).

Massaro got a dream start, 9/0 up with her opponent apparently not settled and making too many errors. It got better, but it was still 11/4 as Massaro took the lead.

The second was much more competitive, hardly a point between them all the way, with patient well-worked rallies interspersed with occasional errors from both.

Perry led 6-3, Massaro levelled at 8-all. From 9-all though it was Massaro who worked the openings better, finishing the game with a volley drop and a deep crosscourt, both after working Perry out of position.

The third was all Massaro again, profiting from Perry’s mistakes and looseness rather than doing anything spectacular herself, and by the time 4/0 had become 8/3 Perry’s head had dropped as she barely contested the final few points.

Still the champion, for a day at least, but there’s every chance that Laura will keep the title for considerably longer than that …

I managed to stay strong, it was much tougher than it might look from the scoreline, Madeline is such a tough competitor.

“I’m really glad I came through 3/0. The second was brutal – she was 6-3 up and we had a really hard rally and I broke my racket, but I managed to push on.

“The event has such a rich history – and it’s good to get your name on that trophy alongside all those greats – I want to get as many titles as I can before I retire.”

Laura Massaro

“I felt old, tt certainly wasn’t the best birthday present!

“I just didn’t expect her to go short so early.  In the second game I moved up the court and managed to push her back – but I made a couple errors at crucial times, it didn’t feel as if I was playing well on that court today.”

Madeline Perry

Willstrop through to fifth final

The second semi-final of the day was always going to be a tough one – James Willstrop may have gone into the match with a 6-2 advantage, but it was Adrian Grant who had won their last encounter, here on this court back in September’s British Grand Prix.

The opening was as tough as you’d expect, taking a lot more than ten rallies to reach 5-all, but from there Willstrop eased out to a 9/5 and 10/6 lead. Grant saved three game balls before putting the crucial one out of court and Willstrop headed off the court with the first game in the bag 11/9.

It was never easy in the second, but Willstrop led all the way, stretching out from 4/1 to 6/3. Grant got as close as 8/6 but a tin followed by two deceptive winners and Willstrop was two thirds of the way there, 11/6.

Undeterred Grant continued to play his game, and it started to pay dividends in the third as he led 5/3 and 6/4. Willstrop levelled at 7-all, at 9-0 got a stroke that Grant felt was harsh, and the somewhat harsh 3-0 scoreline was completed when Grant mistimed a fairly easy shot into the tin.

A bit of a tame end to an enticing match, but at the end of the day Willstrop, who made a habit of winning these close games in his tremendous run at the back end of last year, was into his fifth Nationals final.

“Adrian made it really hard as he plays well on this court,  he beat me the last time on here.  I had to really be on my game, I had to push.

“It’s such a prestigious event. All the players enjoy coming back here – it’s great to come and show people what it’s all about. It’s fantastic to be back in the final again after a couple of years .I’m playing well and feeling good, so hopefully I can put on a good show tomorrow …”

James Willstrop

No stopping Waters

It’s true that she was seeded lower than her opponent, but Alison Waters, the two-time champion, came into the her match against seventh seed Lauren Briggs as strong favourite. She may have been out injured for a year, but she’s been up to world number three, and so far this week she’s looked like it too.

So it was no surprise that she dominated the match from start to end. There were plenty of competitive rallies, Lauren certainly didn’t freeze in the headlights, but she was the one under pressure, and she was the one more likely to make the error at the end of one of the plentiful lengthy rallies.

She gave a good account of herself, as the saying goes, without ever looking likely to win.

Early leads in each of the three games meant that Waters could relax and play those winning volleys she loves, and only when already 9/4 up in the third did she show real fallibility with a couple of unnecessary errors. They didn’t matter, she took the two points she needed, volleying short then deep and she was into her sixth Nationals final.

“I love playing here and I really enjoyed the match, but I knew I’d have to work hard for it.

“After so long out you know what you want to achieve and it can help you come back stronger. I really wasn’t sure what would happen when I got here, but the atmosphere’s been good and I’ve just come back into my game.

“I’m  looking forward to tomorrow now - Laura’s had a good year and reached a highest ranking of three – but I haven’t played her for ages. It’s going to be tough – but I’m feeling fresh and I’m ready for it.”

Alison Waters

Matthew prizes the title from Daryl …

But he didn’t want to give it up, he really didn’t.

He didn’t start too well though, if you look at the bare facts Daryl went 6/1 down then picked up a few points before losing the first 11/8 in 15 minutes, lost the second 11/3 in 8 minutes, and in pretty short order was 5/1 down in the third and seemingly heading for an early bath.

Matthew did struggle to finish off the first though, needing four opportunities to  capitalise on his 10/5 lead as the defending champion managed to engage  him in the sort of extended rallies he enjoys, and two of Selby’s second game points came at the death too. As Matthew admitted afterwards, “I need to improve on finishing games off when I have big leads,” and the third just underlined that point.

At 5/1 down in that third it would have been easy for Selby to fold quickly, as many would have done faced with a world number one and world champion who was playing well. But that’s not Daryl’s style, and somehow he managed to extend those rallies again, kept plugging away without giving anything away, essentially frustrating his opponent into mistakes or loose shots, which isn’t something that happens very often to Nick Matthew.

Seven points in a row and Selby led 8/5, but Matthew steeled himself and levelled at 8-all. Every rally was a long one now, plenty of lets and plenty of decisions that one or the other player – sometimes both – found disagreeable and baffling.

Long story short – the third game ended up taking 35 minutes to complete, after all – Matthew reached match ball on a stroke, Selby saved it with a volley kill and a raised fist. Matthew saved game ball at 10/11, couldn’t believe he had to do it twice after Selby was awarded a let.

From 12-all we had seven decisions, Selby couldn’t believe he only got a let at 12/13, Matthew couldn’t believe he wasn’t shaking hands after the next rally, and finally the match finished – like last tear’s final – on more of a whimper than a shout as Daryl was refused a let and this time he had to take Nick’s hand.

Tense, exciting, nerve-wracking … you bet. Sixty-seven minutes for three-nil, but everyone wanted more – well, except Nick, of course, but then he’s got a final with James Willstrop to look forward to tomorrow.

“He seems to get better when he’s behind! I really should have finished it off at 5/1 in the third, but all credit to him he didn’t want to give up his title without a fight, and he nearly capitalised. I’m sure everyone wanted another game or two, but I didn’t!

“It was disappointing to lose last year but you have to take it on the chin, it just doubled my determination to get it back this time …”

Nick Matthew

” He played well in the first two, didn’t let me get into it but I didn’t do myself any favours – I was a bit flat. At least I woke up in the third and managed to put him under a bit of pressure, it was nip and tuck at the end but I really should have done better from 8/5 up.

“I wasn’t thinking about not losing the title, I’d just started enjoying the game whereas earlier I hadn’t, and I just wanted to keep on playing in front of the crowd, I just love playing competitive squash!

“There were a few strange decisions at the end, but he played very well, overall he was too good for me on the day.

“It should be a great final tomorrow, and whoever I have to hand the title over to I’ll do it with pride to a worthy winner … and may the best man win.”

Daryl Selby

A hard-fought victory by world number one Nick Matthew over defending champion Daryl Selby in tonight’s semi-finals of the British National Squash Championships at the National Squash Centre in Manchester has set up the first ever domestic final between the top two players in the world.

Three-time champion Matthew will face fellow Yorkshireman James Willstrop, the world No2 from Leeds who beat England team-mate Adrian Grant 11-9, 11-6, 11-9.

Lancashire’s defending champion Laura Massaro will face Londoner Alison Waters in the women’s final. In the first semi, world No3 Massaro saw off Irish rival Madeline Perry 11-4, 11-9, 11-3. Later Waters romped to an 11-4, 11-2, 11-6 victory over Essex’s Lauren Briggs.

James Willstrop claimed the first men’s semi-final slot after his revenge victory over left-hander Grant. The Yorkshireman boasted a 6/2 career head-to-head record over Grant, but the Londoner came out on top the last time they met – on the same Manchester all-glass court five months ago.

It was neck and neck up to five-all in the first game before top seed Willstrop moved ahead to game ball at 10-6. Grant was able to save three, but Willstrop stopped the rot to take the game – and then the second to lead 2/0.

Grant had several leads in the third and saved one match ball at 10-8 before a miss hit by the left-hander gave Willstrop an 11-9, 11-6, 11-9 victory after 54 minutes.

“Adrian made it really hard as he plays well on this court. I had to really be on my game, I had to push. He beat me the last time on this court,” said Willstrop, now in his fifth final.

“It means a lot to be in the final – it’s such a prestigious event. All the players enjoy coming back here – it’s great to come and show people what it’s all about.

“It’s fantastic to be back in the final again after a couple of years,” Willstrop continued. “I’m playing well and feeling good. Hopefully I can put on a good show tomorrow.”

After being in control for the first two games against title-holder Selby, 31-year-old Matthew saved a game ball in the third before closing out the match 11-8, 11-3, 14-12 to avenge his shock defeat in last year’s final.

The third game was full of drama and debate with the referee. Matthew led 5-1, but Selby dig deep to claw back the deficit before moving 8-5 up.

The second seed from Sheffield then took four points in a row before putting the ball into the tin to hand the advantage back to Selby. But a stroke led Matthew to match-ball – and a series of lengthy and dramatic rallies, including several unpopular decisions from the officials – before Selby gained his own game ball.

And, after numerous attempts to close out his third match ball at 13-12, Matthew finally clinched victory after 67 minutes to move into his fifth national final.

“He seems to get better when he’s behind,” said Matthew post-match. “He’s like a dog with a bone.

“But all credit to him – he’s the defending champion and wanted to keep that trophy.

“Last year, he deservedly won the title – and I took it on the chin. I bounced back strong immediately afterwards and doubled my determination to get back this year and win it back.

“There’s been talk all week about the final between me and James – and now we’ve done all the work to set it up. I’m looking forward to it.”

Laura Massaro, the world No3 from Preston who last year became the first Lancashire winner of the women’s title, moved into her third final after seeing off Irish rival Madeline Perry, the world No4, 11-4, 11-9, 11-3.

After winning the 2011 national crown, 28-year-old Massaro went on to enjoy the best year of her career – leaping from ten to three in the rankings and winning the ‘WISPA Player of the Year’ award ahead of the record six-time world champion.

The head-to-head record between the semi-finalists showed Massaro 8/6 ahead, with the champion beating Perry en-route to her Manchester success last year – but Perry came out on top most recently in Singapore last July.

But Massaro put in a commanding performance – leaping to a 9-0 lead in a one-sided first game before going behind in the second as Perry changed her tactics. The local star then won five points in a row to retake the lead – and led throughout the third before closing out the match in 37 minutes.

“I managed to stay strong,” said Massaro. “It was much tougher than it might look from the scoreline – I’m really glad I came through 3/0.

“The second was brutal – she was 6-3 up and we had a really hard rally and I broke my racket. But I managed to push on.

“Madeline is such a tough competitor – that match was never easy, even though it was 3/0.

“The event has such a rich history – and it’s good to get your name on that trophy alongside all those greats. I want to get as many titles as I can before I retire.”

Perry, who was celebrating her 35th birthday, admitted: “I felt old! It certainly wasn’t the best birthday present!”

When asked to sum uo the match, the 13-time Irish champion said: “I just didn’t expect her to go short so early. In the second game I moved up the court and managed to push her back – but I made a couple errors at crucial times.

“It didn’t feel as if I was playing well on that court.”

Winner of the National title in 2008 and 2010, Alison Waters suffered an Achilles injury in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India and, after failing to respond to treatment, underwent surgery in May last year. After a long period of rehabilitation – during which her world ranking plummeted from three to 44 – the 27-year-old from London is making her long-awaited comeback in Manchester.

It was a spritely eighth seed Waters who despatched surprise opponent Lauren Briggs to claim her sixth appearance in the final since 2005.

“Six finals? That sounds quite good doesn’t it,” said Waters when reminded of her achievement.

“I really wasn’t sure what would happen when I got here, but the atmosphere’s been good and I’ve just come back into my game.

“I’m fresh and relaxed – sometimes a break makes you come back stronger.

“Laura’s had a good year and reached a highest ranking of three – but I haven’t played her for ages.
It’s going to be tough – but I’m feeling fresh and I’m ready for it.”

Highlights from the Masters semi-finals  …

The Women’s O60 saw Faith Sinclair overturn Maggie Lipscombe 3/0. In the women’s O55 Julie Field was eventually too clinical for Lynne Davies, in a 3/1 score line. On Court 3 Tammy Bennett will be kicking herself after throwing away numerous opportunities and Paula Arrowsmith will be very glad it didn’t go to 5.

Back on Court 1 Rebecca Czucman and many times England Racketball Champion Bett Dryhurst were in opposition and it was the former who progressed. Jackie Gardner was too good for a tired Lesley Sturgess in the Women’s O50’s whilst Eunice Bond crossed the Scottish border to uphold Tartan supremecy against Cheshire’s Jane Law.

In the men’s O60’s Dave Lumsden progressed without too many problems against Mick Broomhall 9-2 9-2 9-6 and in the O65’s English Number 1 in every age category since the 1970’s Phil Ayton was in. As the perfect technique was on display, amazing such a small crowd was there to witness it. John Smith found the inch perfect boast and volley drop far too precise.

The Men’s O65: The second semi-final saw a match between Chris Goodbourn and Rodney Boswell; the 3/4 and 2nd seeds. Goodbourn started crisply, and a after a fright spell in the second took it 9/5 to lead 2/0. Boswell Sprung into action and took advantage of a lack of concentration by Goodbourn and retaliated with the 3rd 9/3 and then the fourth 10/8 with at least 4 game balls wasted.

The fifth saw irresistible retrieving from Goodbourne with Boswell serving match ball and Goodbourne Ditto, incredibly 10/9 to Goodbourne- Amazing Match.

Even more amazing, Rodney’s mother, who was a tennis international, was in the audience watching him play squash for the first time ever !!!

Men’s O55 – The first semi saw a restricted Mark Cowley eventually pull through against Ian Holmes, but his groin injury looks to be hampering him. In the second Semi, Duleep Adihihetty and Peter Alexander battled it out taking it to 5 games with Alexander edging Adihihetty out for the win. 9/2 6/9 9/4 5/9 4/9.

The second men’s 60 semi was a southern affair with the quick starting Trevor Belshall and Egyptian Professional Moussa Halal. After getting his timing and length, Halal cruised through 3/1

Also back from the dead was Geoff Coe, 2-1 and 8-7 then 9-8 down to Andrew Beeston in the O70 semi-final, he took the fourth 10-9 and the fifth 9-0 … was he pleased ???

The M35 category  saw Nick Taylor cruise through Mat Lowery 11/3 11/1 11/2 and in the same half a close encounter between bitter west country rivals Barny Elworthy and Mike Gregory. The latter shaded the fifth 11/7. Danny Massaro (3/4) went through against Ben Hutton 11/7 11/7 9/11 11/7 . Ben ford likewise against Ian Cox 3/0.

In the M40 Nick Wall progressed through easily and underneath Steve McLoughlin beat John Hanson in 45minutes 13/11 8/11 11/1 11/9.Jamie Goodrich has been off for a month with a torn hamstring and had obviously returned too early;  retiring after 16minutes against Glen Ragou. Jamie’s daily dose is 60minutes of hard exercise, so this was unique. Finally Andrew Cross came through narrowly against Andrew Murray.

M45- Saw both Yawar Abbas ad Frank Ellis through, the former in a 52 minute battle with Marc Aldridge 9/3 7/9 9/2 9/3. Murray Scott was too precise for Martin Geear with a 9/5 9/1 9/7  win and local hero Nigel Willis recorded a 9/4 9/1 4/9 9/2 victory over Rob Watkins.

M50- Saw Mark Woodliffe win in just 22minutes over Dermet Hurford and after a bright start from Yorkshires Ged Martin, Ian bradburn was too powerful winning 3/9 9/3 9/4 9/5. Greg Pearman looks ominous in the lower half beating James Ockwell and Alan Thomson, who always enjoys himself on court, was too good for Chris Harland.

M55-  A great match between Mark Cowley and Dave Clarke with scenes reminiscent of a tag team match. Clarke’s shots and Cowleys power saw the score 2 each going into the fifth with Cowley managing to edge it out for the win. Ian Holmes won 3/0 against an injured Rob Ridley, whilst Duleep’s authority was not troubled by Stuart Hardy. In the top match Peter Alexander looked in ominous form against Rustan Batwala 9/7 9/0 9/1

The 70’s saw Adrian Wright ad Brian Phillips through as well as Andrew Beeston; all in 3/0. The only competitive match was Geoff Coe and Vincent Taylor (3/4) with Taylor loosing out to Cheshire’s Cos 9/7 5/9 8/10 9/4 9/6

In the 75 preliminary Malcolm Gilham beat Mike Parr 9/0 9/1 9/4 .

W35- New Comer Keeley Seamon beat Zoe Owes 9/0 9/2 9/0 and Lisa May beat Katie Lawrence 9/1 9/4 9/6. No.2 seed Alexa Prior recorded a 9/6 9/5 9/3 win over Rachel Calver.

W40- Isabelle Tweedle beat Sue Smith 9/5 9/1 9/3

W45- Saw Top Seed Nicky Horn progress in 35minutes  with a 9/1 10/8 6/9 9/5 win over Michaela Fallows, as did ¾ seed Rina Einy over Hilary Kenyon 9/2 9/4 9/1. The Bottom half will see the return of some old faces with Mandy Atkin and Fran Wallis in what promises to be a titanic battle. Wallis with a 9/1 9/1 9/2 win over Julia Dolman ad Atkin a 9/5 9/5 9/5 over Linda Winder.

W50 – Paula arrowsmith and Tammy Bennett progressed to the Semi’s as did Jacky Gardner in a tight match against Jill Campion 4/9 9/7 5/9 9/6 9/4. The Big Shock was the removal of the No.2 seed Helen Gould losing out to Lesley Sturgess 3-1.

W55- All four of the seeds progressed to the Saturday , a line-up of Julie Field v Lynne Davies and Jane Law v Eunice Bond.

Martin Pearse

It was quarter-final Friday at the National Squash Centre, for the Masters and the Main Draws.

Plenty of upsets and some thrilling matches in the masters (see Masters Update #1), while in the main events all the expected players won, even if two of the semi-finalists aren’t those predicted by the seedings.

All of that means that Semi-Final Saturday will see a repeat of last year’s men’s final, and the top two remaining women’s seeds go head to head.

Waters back … you bet

The first quarter-final of the evening featured the fourth seed versus the eighth seed, but the expectations were that the lower-ranked player would win, giving us the first on-court upset of the main championships.

That’s because the eight seed was two-time National Champion Alison Waters, playing her first tournament for ten months, and although she’s slipped from 4 to 41 in the world she boasted a 5-0 winning record over her opponent Sarah Kippax, who was bidding to reach her first Nationals semi-final in this, her fifth successive quarter-final.

And so it turned out on court as Waters assumed control from the start, moving freely, punching in those volleys she loves, and not letting Kippax get a hold on the match. The rallies were competitive, but it was generally Waters controlling them, always the one more likely to put in a winner, Kippax always the one more likely to find the tin.

Waters led from start to finish, 7/2 in the first, 7/2 in the second, Kippax got closer in the third to trail 3/5 and 4/6, but Waters opened out to 9/4 and although the last few rallies were probably the most competitive of the match there was only going to be one winner tonight.

Is Alison Waters back? You bet …

“It felt very good to be back on this court, it’s been a long time. I was a bit nervous and I tried to tell myself not to get too excited, but I still went for a couple of crosscourt kills which went nowhere, but once I settled down I felt good.

“I feel quite close to my best – and the more I play the better I feel.

Sarah is a great athlete and will run everything down, but there was no pressure on me to do anything. I’m relaxed, and thankfully my injury problems are now well and truly behind me – and if I’m down in a game, I just think of what I’ve been through.”

Alison Waters

“It was a bit of an unfortunate draw for me. She seems to be playing as well as ever and taking the ball early, it was hard to find her weaknesses. There are a few things I could have done better – but I certainly played better than I did last year.

It’s hard to move onto the glass court from the other courts – and she’s really experienced on glass. She put me under a lot of pressure, but I’m happy that she’s back playing – and she’s playing as well as she’s ever done.  She’s certainly in with a chance of the title …”

Sarah Kippax

Selby stays on course

For two game it was all too easy for defending champion Daryl Selby against first-time quarter-finalist Adrian Waller. The tall left-handed Waller couldn’t seem to do anything right, finding the tin on simple shots and finding himself outmanouevred, as to be fair many of Selby’s opponent’s do.

There was no pressure on the Essex man, no need to rush and no need to do anything too special to lead 11/1, 11/3, with only a hint of showboating towards the end of the second.

That changed in the third though, Waller cut out most of the silly errors and Selby probably took the win a little for granted. Waller stuck with the score this time, even led at 6/5 and 7/6. At 9/8 to Selby came a tremendous rally – Waller had Selby on a string, and he was really rushing now, performing some heroic retrieveng before finally putting a boast into the tin to make it 9-all, to a great round of applause.

Waller didn’t take advantage immediately though – a poor volley into the tin brought up match ball, saved, and another poor error cost him his first game ball at 11/10. Not to matter though, he soon enough pulled a game back 13/11.

It was back to the old routine in the fourth though, Selby soon 8-0 up, and on match ball he even had time to play a service return from behind his back, which Adrian obligingly tinned for 11/4.

So the champion is still on course, and Waller will certainly be back for more.

“He seemed a bit nervous at the start, it’s a different atmosphere and feeling in an event like this, I remember when I made my first quarter-final a few years ago.  He showed what he was capable of in the third though, didn’t allow me any opportunity to control and played well.

“I managed to wrestle it back in the fourth so it was ok in the end, but I do seem to have trouble winning 3/0 at the moment!

“It’s been great having a year being introduced as the British Champion. It would be lovely to have another being introduced as the Double Champion, but I’d probably have to beat the world number one and the world number two to do that!”

Daryl Selby

Briggs chuffed with first semi

After the sudden withdrawal of top seed Jenny Duncalf last night we were guaranteed an unexpected semi-finalist, but would it be Lauren or Laura?

Lauren Briggs betrayed no signs of nervousness as she started more solidly, taking an early lead against qualifier Laura Hill, who like her opponent had been in the quarters twice before but no further, and extended it to 10/6 with solid, precise play.

Four points in a row for Hill though, and it was definitely time for the nerves to show, but two shots that bobbled and died deep in the backcourt settled them as Briggs took the lead 12/10.

Same story in the second – Briggs marginally on top, Hill more likely to make the error, and this time the lead was 10/4. Having saved four game balls last time Hill did even better, saving five to get within a point, but once again a drive that died in the back corner came to Briggs’ rescue.

And yes, it was the same story in the third – 6/1 then 10/2 for Briggs but no comeback this time, a loose ball was put away short and Lauren would be the one in the semi-final.

“You could say I’m a little bit pleased … I’m absolutely chuffed!

“Obviously with Jenny going out it’s a different scenario, the opportunity was there but you still have to win the match. I was surprisingly calm before I went on, but once I got to nine I started thinking I’d won the game already, big mistake, but I managed to rectify that in the third.

“I overheard someone saying that the more you play on this court the more you like it – that’s my third time and I really like it now!

“I haven’t played Alison for a few years, in fact I think the last time was on this court. I got a good hiding then so hopefully I can do better tomorrow …”

Lauren Briggs

Matthew too strong, in the end

The final quarter-final saw Guernsey’s Chris Simpson put in what must be one of his best performances as he gave world number one Nick Matther a stern test for a game and a half. Undeterred by the 47-place difference in their rankings, Simpson matched Matthew in the early stages, and opened up an 8/4 lead in the first game.

Matthew seemed to buckle down to his task, made the rallies tough as he does, and closed the gap, but Simpson didn’t buckle as he could easily have done, as so many do. He regained the lead 9/8, won a brutal rally to save game ball, but in the end Matthew’s pressure did tell as he took the lead 12/10.

Simpson came out just as determined in the second, led 3/0 and 4/3, but now Matthew was into his game, pressing relentlessly and  although it was never easy, the points kept coming his way as he took the second and third both 11/4 to advance to the semi-final where his conqueror of last year is waiting.

“He played very well, and in the end the scoreline really doesn’t reflect what a hard match it was.

“He remind me a lot of myself – we have the same coach,  he takes the ball early, volleys everything and puts you under pressure. I hope I’m as irritating to play as that, because he certainly is! If he carries on like that he can definitely take it to the next level.

” There aren’t many world tour events that are as well supported as this, it’s a really important event for the players, you can see how nervous someone like Adrian was in his first quarter-final. I was disappointed to lose out on it last year so I’m working hard to try to get it back …”

Nick Matthew

“I’m happy with the way I played, but I was a bit disappointed with the way I flagged a bit at the end.

“But it’s hard against him – he’s just relentless. If you switch off for one second, the game goes.

“Every time you go on court with Nick you pick up something – but often you don’t realise until the next time you play him. But perhaps the biggest thing I learnt tonight is that I can contain him. But then he comes back!”

Chris Simpson

Former champion Alison Waters showed that she is back in contention for another women’s title when she upset Sarah Kippax, the fourth seed from Cheshire, in tonight’s quarter-finals of the British National Squash Championships at the National Squash Centre in Manchester.

Winner of the title in 2008 and 2010, Waters suffered an Achilles injury in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India and, after failing to respond to treatment, underwent surgery in May last year. After a long period of rehabilitation – during which her world ranking plummeted from three to 44 – the 27-year-old from London is making her long-awaited comeback in Manchester.

Eighth seed Waters was on song from the outset and after 31 minutes wrapped up her 11-5, 11-4, 11-8 victory.

“I was a bit nervous to start with, but once I was into the knockup I was fine,” said the Londoner, now just one win away from her sixth final appearance since 2005.

“Sarah is a great athlete and will run everything down. But there was no pressure on me to do anything.

“I feel quite close to my best – the more I play the better I feel. And I’m relaxed.

“Thankfully my injury problems are now well and truly behind me – and if I’m down in a game, I just think of what I’ve been through.”

Kippax, the world No20 now based in Halifax, was disappointed at being lined up against her England team-mate at the last eight stage: “It was a bit of an unfortunate draw for me,” said the 28-year-old.

“She seems to be playing as well as ever and taking the ball early. She put me under a lot of pressure – it was hard to find her weaknesses.

“There are a few things I could have done better – but I certainly played better than I did last year.

“It’s hard to move onto the glass court from the other courts – and she’s really experienced on glass.

“But I’m happy that she’s back playing – and she’s playing as well as she’s ever done. She’s certainly in with a chance of the title.”

The evening’s second women’s quarter-final featured Lauren Briggs of Essex and Laura Hill from Derbyshire – both eager to make their semi-final debuts.

Hill, a qualifier, was marking her first appearance in the quarter-finals – a beneficiary of the mid-event withdrawal of favourite Jenny Duncalf, the world No2 from Harrogate.

Seventh seed Briggs opened up commanding leads in all three games – but had to contend with significant fightbacks by her lower-ranked opponent in the first and second before emerging victorious 12-10, 11-9, 11-2.

“You could say I’m a little bit pleased,” said Briggs, beaming from ear to ear. “I’m absolutely chuffed!

“Obviously with Jenny going out it’s a different scenario,” continued the 32-year-old from London. “The opportunity was there but you still have to win the match. I was surprisingly relaxed before I went on, but once I got to nine I started thinking I’d won the game already – crucial error – but I managed to rectify that in the third.

“I overheard someone saying that the more you play on this court the more you like it – that’s my third time and I really like it now!

“I haven’t played Alison for a few years – in fact I think the last time was on this court. I got a good hiding then so hopefully I can do better tomorrow.”

Defending champion Daryl Selby claimed his anticipated place in Saturday’s men’s semi-finals after a 50-minute battle with tall opponent Adrian Waller. The world No12 from Essex dropped a game before beating quarter-final first-timer Waller 11-1, 11-3, 11-13, 11-4.

Selby, who won the 2011 title against expectations after shocking world number one Nick Matthew in the final, was full of praise for his 22-year-old opponent.

“I train with Adrian a lot so I know he’s a good player,” said 29-year-old Selby. “You could see he was nervous to start with – I remember that, you can’t help it.

“It’s another good experience for him – he’s a good young player, he works hard and has a good attitude.

“I felt I played well in the first two games – but in the third he showed what he’s all about and he deserved that game.

“I played well in the fourth. But I’m a bit worried that I can’t seem to win 3/0!”

When asked what his last year has been like, Selby told the crowd: “It’s been a fantastic year being introduced as ‘British champion’.

“It would be nice to be able to say ‘double champion’, but it’s going to be tough.”

In the final match of the day, Yorkshire’s world number one Nick Matthew edged closer to his fifth final in a row when he beat Chris Simpson, the No7 seed from Guernsey, 12-10, 11-4, 11-4.

Simpson, the world No48 celebrating only his second appearance in the quarter-finals, led in the first two games – but the experienced 31-year-old from Sheffield was always able to raise his game to make up the deficit before recording his expected victory in 54 minutes.

“Chris played very well – the first game was incredibly tough,” said Matthew, who topped the world rankings throughout 2011.

“In fact, he reminded me of me – he’s very competitive, you can’t get rid of him!”

The seeding predicts an all-Yorkshire final between Matthew and world No2 James Willstrop – one which would be the first ever between the top two players in the world.

“Playing Chris reminded me that it’s not all about the rivalry between me and James – there is stiff competition before that.”

When asked about playing in the National Championships in Manchester, the three-time champion said: “There are not many world tour events put on as well as this – and you saw earlier how nervous Adrian Waller was, even though there are no ranking points at stake.

“That gives an idea of how important the event is,” concluded Matthew.

Simpson went into the match 2/0 down on previous meetings with Matthew – but agreed that this was his best performance: “I’m happy with the way I played, but I was a bit disappointed with the way I flagged a bit at the end,” said the Harrogate-based 24-year-old.

“But it’s hard against him – he’s just relentless. If you switch off for one second, the game goes.”

Were lessons learnt from the match? “Every time you go on court with Nick you pick up something – but often you don’t realise until the next time you play him.

“But perhaps the biggest thing I learnt tonight is that I can contain him. But then he comes back!”

Martin Pearse reports …

Manchester welcomed the Masters with cold and icy weather – all the snow surrounding the city victim of the Mancunian rain.

In the warmth of Sportcity the competition entered its third day at the quarter-final stage.

In the M35 no surprises except for 5/8 Jago Nardelli falling foul of Ben Hutton 9/11, 11/6, 11/7, 11/8. Still to come today Taylor v Lowery, Gregory v Elworthy, Hutton v Massaro and Cox v Ford.

In the M40, an upset as David Youngs succumbed to Nick Lowety 4/11, 11/8, 12/10, 11/8, and a toughie for second seed Andrew Cross, sneaking past 9/6 Mark Owen 10/12, 11/7, 11/9, 11/9. Top seed Nick Wall however looks particularly strong, as usual.

Big big surprise in the M45 as no 2 seed Eamonn Price found Avon’s Rob Watkins in top form – Price seemingly less precise. Anyway a 2/9, 9/2, 4/9, 9/2, 9/4 scoreline projected Watkins through to a semi-final with Nigel Willis, which promises to be a fascinating match.

Masters newcomer Martin Grear, chasing an England place, faces Murray Scott, while dark horse, a seriously trained up Scotsman Frankie Ellis is due to face Tynesider Steve Calvert.

Another toughie as Yawar Abbas, victor over Andrew Eilfield 9/5, 9/1, 9/1 faces Marc Aldridge, winner over a recovering from Achilles snap Martin Greenslade.

M50 saw Cathay Pacific’s James Barrington lose out to Surrey based Australian Dermot Hurford 6/9, 9/3, 9/3, 9/3 while 3/4 Ian Bradburn is due to face 5/8 Ged Martin in arguably the latter’s most important match of his career as he is chasing an international cap.

Further down 9/16 Jeremy Goulding fell foul of RAC coach Greg Pearman 9/2, 9/3, 9/3, no 2 seed Alan Thomson, imbibing until 2.30am as usual, saw off Kent player Nigel Peel 9/1, 9/1, 9/2. Out and out favourite though is European Champion Mark Woodliffe.

In the M55 top seed Mark Cowley took 31 minutes to beat Durham’s Colin Shields 0/9, 9/3, 9/5, 9/7 whilst Ian Holmes was 10/8, 9/6 up against 3/4 Steve Johnson before the latter retired with a recurrence of his damaged hamstring – a long rest beckons. Semi-professional – squash is his life – Stuart Hardy took out locals Geoffrey Wilcock and Neil Rodda before falling in three to his nemisis Duleep Adihetty.

The quarters saw Cowley win 1/9, 9/6, 5/9, 9/2, 9/3 in a boisterous match with Dave Clark, Holmes 9/2, 9/6, 9/2 over Robin Ridley, whilst Peter Alexander cruised through 9/7, 9/0, 9/1 against Rustom Bativala.

The M60 saw some amazing results with four of the likely England Home International team, Larry Groves, Allemn Brown, Barry Featherstone and Peter Smith all crashing out. Groves found Barry Alder too tight 9/6, 9/1, 9/2, whilst a devastated Featherstone lost yet again unexpectedly, 9/7, 7/9, 10/8, 9/5 to the dogged Cumbrian Terry Belshaw.

Brown, suffering from back problems was a shadow of his normal self and really should have stayed at home whilst Smith, fresh from his first regional, probably underestimated Mark Thompson, going down 8/10, 9/6, 9/4, 9/2.

The quarters saw a cracking match between Dave Lumsden and Howard Cherlin with the latter well poised at 2-all. Lumsden however wasn’t quite as jovial as his opponent, who even smiled at the gallery as he missed an easy kill at 5-6 bin the decider as Lumsden survived. Typical Howard.

The best match was a 10/9 in the fifth win for a very determined Terry Belshaw against Scottish no 1, shot playing Jim Dougal. Chalk and cheese in styles, but a fascinating match concluded with an incredible return from Dougal being superceded by an even better one from Belshaw.

David Cooper5/8 was expected to give no2 seed Moussa Helal a hard time but not so, Helal was in total control and even offered his opponent lessons afterwards.

Bob Robinson will be kicking himself he didn’t enter as he beat Helal 3/2 in an inter-county match a couple of weeks ago.

Finally ambidextrous Mick Broomhall went through against Mark Thompson 9/0, 8/10, 9/4, 9/3 to play Lumsden in the semis.

M65 saw two of the England side Chris Ansell and Martin Pearse, absent for the first time ever.

An early surprise was 5/8 Mike Clemson losing 9/5, 9/7, 9/2 to Zimbabwe no1 Gary Davies, now living in Devon. Unfortunately Davies then met Phil Ayton, who after his usual slow start recorded a 3/0 win. John Smith progressed to the semis at the expense of Bill Wilson, and Dave Harden came unstuck to the ultra efficient Chris Goodbourn 0/3.

No2 seed Rodney Boswell dealt in similar fashion with Graham Fisher. If the Goodbourn-Boswell match is half as good as their final encounter at the South of England then it will be a match worth watching …

Martin Pearse