LAHORE, March 26: England’s top seed Peter Nicol and Canada’s World No.3 Jonathan Power will clash in the final of the 19th Pakistan Open Squash Championship Wednesday at the Fortress Stadium after winning their respective semifinals Tuesday.

World No.1 Nicol outclassed Scotland’s Martin Heath in straight games 17-15, 15-5, 15-7 in 54 minutes while Power downed Australian David Palmer 15-7, 13-15, 15-12, 15-7 in 83 minutes.

The final will be played at 7pm.

Nicol worked hard in the first game which lasted for 35 minutes. But in remaining two games, Nicol was at his best and won easily 15-5 and 15-7.

In the hard-fought first game, both Nicol and Heath conceded most of the points hitting the tin. The world champion Nicol hit the tin six times while Heath eight times.

Nicol played three nick shots one in the first game and two in the second. However, Heath struck more nick shots three in the first, one in the second and two in the third game.

Nicol began sluggishly in the first game as Heath had built 5-0 lead as Nicol thrice hit the tin.  Trailing till 9-10, Nicol caught up Heath at 10-all for the first time.

The Englishman then showed his undoubted class to the lead 11-10 when the referee turned down Heath’s demand of a let. Heath with couple of back hand winners, however, regained the  lead  but caught again at 13-13, 14-14 and 15-15.

At this juncture Nicol was twice awarded strokes to wrap up the game at 17-15 in 35 minutes.

From the outset of the second game Nicol was on the offensive and built up 9-3 lead. Stepping-up the pressure, Nicol raced to clinch the game 15-5 in 12 minutes.

Nicol maintained the pressure in the third game despite 0-2 down in the beginning. He took only 11 minutes to complete the vcitory by winning the third game 15-7.

 Power not only upset Palmer in the second semifinal with his play but also physically hitting his rival on several occasion.

Palmer who was behind 1-2 and 5-8 in the fourth game, left the court due to severe pain in the upper part of right hip. After medical treatment Palmer returned but found the injury too much and eventullay lost 7-15.

Power led from start to finish in the first game which he won 15-7 in 21 minutes. Palmer came back strongly and levelled the scores 1-1 by winning 15-13 after being tide at 7-all, 8-all, 12-all and 13-all.

 In the crucial third game, Palmer competed Power till 12-all. But Power was awarded a stroke to make it 13-12. Palmer then hit the tin twice to pave way for Power to grab the third game 15-12 in 21 minutes.

Semifinal results: Peter  Nicol (England) bt Martin Heath (Scotland) 17-15, 15-5, 15-7; Jonathan Power (Canada) bt David Palmer (Australia) 15-7, 13-15, 15-12, 15-7.

Quarterfinal results played Monday: Peter Nicol (Eng) bt Anthony Ricketts (Aust) 15-17, 15-11,  15-8, 8-15, 15-12; Martin  Heath (Scotland) bt John White (Australia) 9-15, 15-13, 15-3, 15-8; David Palmer (Australia) bt Lee Beachill (England) 15-13, 15-12, 15-4; Jonathan Power (Canada) bt Amr Shabana (Egypt) 15-5, 15-6, 15-3.

The result of last second round match which was shifted from  the Fortress Stadium to Punjab Squash Complex on Sunday night: Jonathan Power (Canada) bt Ispaul Johson 15-9, 15-7, 15-5.

On Monday: A strong windstorm marred the proceedings of the championship and the last two matches had to be shifted from the all glass-wall portable court set up at the Fortress Stadium to the indoor court of Punjab Squash Complex.