Returning Shabana is tough proposition

The 31-year-old Yorkshireman booked his place in the last four of the biggest squash event to be staged in the UK this year, shortly after Shabana – who hasn’t played competitively since February – saw off Adrian Grant in their last eight encounter.

Matthew has prevailed in the last six meetings between himself and the former world No 1 from Egypt, most memorably in the semi-finals of last year’s World Open which Matthew went on to win.

“I’ve got the better of him the last few times, but that little break has probably freshened him up,” said Matthew of his opponent, currently the world No 5.

“He makes the game look so easy and that can put so much pressure on you because you feel like you’re not moving him, yet he’s moving you everywhere. He can make the court seem so small for him sometimes. He’s a four-time world champion so he’s won some big games and it’s going to be tough.

“He looks like he’s enjoying his squash and looks fresh so the break has probably done him some good.”

Having skipped through his first and second round matches comfortably, Matthew was pleased to have passed the stern examination provided by Barker in the last eight. Two recent defeats to world No 2 Ramy Ashour - who booked a semi-final clash against fellow Egyptian Karim Darwish last night - forced Matthew to go away and work on aspects of his game, leaving him pleased with the results.

“I’ve done a lot of work on my game with DP (coach David Pearson) up in Harrogate and that seems to be showing fruition already which is good.

“The quarter-final was my first real test and I’m pleased to have come through that as it’s given me a lot of confidence.

“I was pleased to come through some of those big rallies against Pete because it’s okay for those things to be working in your game when you’re winning 11-4 or 11-5 because you can afford a couple of mistakes. But when it’s 10-all or 11-all then you’re dealing with such fine margins, so i’m pleased that part of my game worked well.”

Quarter-final results

[1] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [7] Peter Barker (ENG) 11-5, 15-13, 8-11, 11-7 (78m)

[5] Amr Shabana (EGY) bt Adrian Grant (ENG) 11-5, 11-6, 12-10 (46m)

[3] Karim Darwish (EGY) bt Omar Mosaad (EGY) 11-6, 11-9, 11-7 (57m)

[2] Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt [6] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 12-10, 11-7, 11-9 (69m)

Saturday’s semi-final schedule

2pm: Ramy Ashour v Karim Darwish

4pm: Nick Matthew v Amr Shabana

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