Nick Matthew advanced to the
semifinals of the British Open squash championships on Saturday when
fellow Englishman James Willstrop was forced to retire.
Willstrop, who was struck by a severe case of food poisoning
earlier this month, conceded the match after Matthew won the first
two games 11-7, 11-5.
``I've been feeling fine generally but it's the first time I've
had to push myself against somebody of Nick's calibre,'' Willstrop
said. ``I felt weirdly tired during some points of the match, which
just wasn't right.
``There was no way I was going to win it.''
Matthew, the No. 6 seed, will take on Karim Darwish of Egypt on
Sunday. Darwish advanced with a 6-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-4 victory
over John White of Scotland.
Thierry Lincou, the No. 3 seed, defeated fellow Frenchman and
seventh-seeded Gregory Gaultier 11-1, 5-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-6. Lincou
will next play second-seeded David Palmer of Australia, a 11-9,
11-10, 11-6 winner over Ong Beng Hee of Malaysia.
