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Kashif Shuja has won a five game thriller against Campbell Grayson to reach the final of the Australian Open |
A stunning exhibition of squash from New Zealand's top two men's players at the Clare Valley Australian Open in Clare, South Australia.
Kashif Shuja and Campbell Grayson have gone toe to toe in a five game thriller, with Shuja eventually winning through to the final 11/9 9/11 7/11 11/5 11/6.
The two kiwis left the court to a standing ovation after a see-sawing match which ended when Grayson, who was on court for 78 minutes in the quarterfinals yesterday, ran out of steam in the fifth game.
Shuja will play Australian top seed David Palmer in the title decider tomorrow. Palmer, the world number five, will start as the red-hot favourite to win his national title for the first time.
Shuja is thrilled to be in the final, saying he always knew he was in for tough semi-final against Grayson, who had accounted for the sixth and second seeds in the previous two rounds. "I train with Campbell every day and I've played some really tough matches against him in the past," he said. "We know each other's game so well it makes it extra hard."
The 29-year-old says he is looking forward to playing Palmer. "What a great opportunity - playing David Palmer in the final of the Australian Open," he said.
Meanwhile, New Zealand's Jaclyn Hawkes and Joelle King have both missed out on a spot in the women's final.
Second seeded Hawkes has been upset in straight games by seventh seed Annie Au from Hong Kong, going down 11/9 12/10 11/5.
King, the eighth seed also went down in three, beaten 11/6 11/9 11/1 by Australian top seed Kasey Brown.
Results...
Men's semi-finals
1. David Palmer (AUS) def Robbie Temple (ENG) 11/4 11/6 11/4 (29 mins)
3. Kashif Shuja (NZL) def Q. Campbell Grayson (NZL) 11/9 9/11 7/11 11/5 11/6 (61 mins)
Women's semi-finals
1. Kasey Brown (AUS) def 8. Joelle King (NZL) 11/6 11/9 11/1 (28 mins)
7. Annie Au (HKG) def 2. Jaclyn Hawkes (NZL) 11/9 12/10 11/5 (28 mins)
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www.squashsite.co.uk/ausopen08.htm
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