Leeds player Willstrop in British final

Leeds's James Willstrop reached the final of the biggest event in Europe after surviving an incident-packed semi-final in the ROWE British Grand Prix in Manchester yesterday and will meet Egypt's world No 1 Ramy Ashour for the £60,000 PSA Super Series event title at the National Squash Centre.

By The Newsroom

Published 20th Sep 2010, 11:27 BST

Updated 20th Sep 2010, 11:27 BST

Leading by two games, the 27-year-old world No 6 suffered a dead leg after an accidental collision with the Frenchman, ranked one place higher.

After a seven-minute injury break, Willstrop returned to the court and recovered from 5-1 down to lead 9-7 – two points away from a straight games victory.

But the determined Gaultier fought back to take the game and then won the fourth to force a decider.

The world No 5 twice led and also had an injury break for four minutes after treatment for an ankle injury. But Willstrop held his nerve to clinch a remarkable 11-7 11-9 9-11 5-11 11-9 win after 101 minutes.

"When both of us are playing at the highest of intensities – which both of us were today – you can't keep it going for five games," said Willstrop.