LONDON, Oct 4: Top seed England’s Peter Nicol justified his ranking when he swept into the semifinals of the British Open with a straight games victory over countryman Lee Beachhill on Friday.

He was joined in the last four stage by Canada’s Jonathon Power, Australians Anthony Ricketts and David Palmer.

Nicol downed Beachill 15-8, 17-15, 15-8 while Palmer despatched Finaland’s unranked Olli Tuominen 15-9, 15-8, 15-3. Power downed England James Willstrop 10-15, 15-8, 15-9, 15-9 and Ricketts dumped Scotland’s 15-5, 8-15, 15-5, 10-15, 15-7.

Pakistan’s only hope Mansoor Zaman was beaten in the first round in straight games by White.

Results

Men’s quarterfinals: Peter Nicol (ENG x1) bt Lee Beachill (ENG x7) 15-8, 17-15, 15-8; Anthony Ricketts (AUS x5) bt John White (SCO x3) 15-5, 8-15, 15-5, 10-15, 15-7; David Palmer (AUS x2) bt Olli Tuominen (FIN) 15-9, 15-8, 15-13; Jonathon Power (CAN x4) bt James Willstrop (ENG) 10-15, 15-8, 15-9, 15-9

Women’s quarterfinals: Carol Owens (NZL x1) bt Natalie Grinham (AUS x7) 9-2, 10-8, 9-3; Rachael Grinham (AUS x3) bt Vicky Botwright (ENG) 10-8, 9-0, 5-9, 9-4.

Played Thursday: Cassie Jackman (ENG x6) bt Linda Charman (ENG x4) 9-1, 9-5, 9-7; Natalie Grainger (USA x2) bt Rebecca Macree (ENG x8) 9-3, 9-6, 9-1.—Agencies