MANCHESTER (England) Oct 17: England’s Peter Nicol, seeded five, lost to Australia’s Anthony Ricketts in the semifinals of the British Open squash championship on Sunday in a marathon clash lasting 95 minutes.

Nicol, 32, has been enjoying a renaissance since slipping from the top of the world rankings a year ago, but bowed out to sixth-seeded Ricketts who won 9-11 11-7 7-11 11-2 12-10.

Nicol, twice a British Open winner, beat top seed Thierry Lincou of France in the quarterfinals.

In the final Ricketts will play England’s James Willstrop who beat Jonathon Power of Canada 5-11 12-10 3-11 11-6 11-7 in another epic which lasted 77 minutes.

In the women’s semis, Australian Rachael Grinham’s hopes of a third successive British Open title were sunk by Malaysian third seed Nicol David, who won 3-9 9-7 7-9 9-4 9-1.

Grinham’s sister Natalie kept up the family honour with an easy 10-8 9-1 9-2 success over England’s Tania Bailey.

The finals are on Monday.

Results:

Anthony Ricketts bt Peter Nicol 9-11 11-7 7-11 11-2 12-10; James Willstrop bt Jonathon Power) 5-11 12-10 3-11 11-6 11-7.

Women

Semifinals: Nicol David (MAS) bt Rachael Grinham (AUS) 3-9, 9-7, 7-9, 9-4, 9-1; Natalie Grinham (AUS) bt Tania Bailey (ENG) 10-8, 9-1, 9-2—Reuters