LIVERPOOL (England), May 12: James Willstrop made it only the second time in 44 years that the home country had finalists in both events in the British Open squash when he beat Thierry Lincou, the former world champion in three impressive games.

The world No 3 has rarely played better than during his 11-7, 11-3, 11-7 victory over the 32-year-old Frenchman who says he will still try again to win the world’s oldest title.

But this time there was little Lincou could do against an opponent who produced an inspired performance little more than 60 miles from his home town.

Willstrop had it clearly in his mind that only last month in Kuwait Lincou had come from two games down to win, and set about ensuring there was no repeat.

Not only did he hustle Lincou relentlessly with fierce drives and feathery soft drop shots, he kept a tight focus and often retrieved surprisingly nimbly for such a tall man.

Willstrop will play another former world champion, David Palmer, the Australian who came through when Karim Darwish was struck down with injury just when he seemed likely to pull through.

Earlier Jenny Duncalf became the other English player in a final when she beat Isabelle Stoehr 4-9, 9-3, 9-6, 9-6.

Duncalf now has the formidable task of facing Nicol David, who is aiming to win back the British Open title after losing from match point up in last year’s final.

The world No 1 from Malaysia produced a hugely impressive performance in overwhelming Natalie Grainger, the former world No 1 from the United States, 9-5, 9-1, 9-0, taking the attack away from one of the tour’s best attacking players.

David was 2-5 down in the first game, and then lost only one point, finishing the match in a mere 23 minutes.

It was a great omen not only for Monday’s final against Duncalf, the surprise survivor from England, but for the longer term prospects of David’s career.

David made many more and better volleys, more accurate drops, and more penetrating drives to a length than she might have done a year or two ago.

Results:

Men’s semi-finals:

David Palmer (AUS x5) bt Karim Darwish (EGY x7) 11-7, 3-11, 4-8 — Darwish retired; James Willstrop (ENG x4) Thierry Lincou (FRA x6) 11-7, 11-3, 11-7.

Women’s sem-finals: Jenny Duncalf (ENG x5) bt Isabelle Stoehr (FRA) 4-9, 9-3, 9-6, 9-6; Nicol David (MAS x1) bt Natalie Grainger (USA x4) 9-5, 9-1, 9-0.—AFP