Willstrop

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Malcolm Willstrop on the semi-finals:
It is sometimes difficult for players to back up major wins, which is what Jenny Duncalf's over Rachael Grinham certainly was. With more expectation on her shoulders, Duncalf started tentatively against the in-form Isabelle Stoehr. The incisiveness which characterised her win over the world champion was not there and Stoehr capitalised, converting a 5/1 lead into 9/4. Settling better, Duncalf took the initiative in the second game, led 6/1 and won the game comfortable 9/3. She went clear again in the third, but the Frenchwoman resisted determinedly before Duncalf won it 9/6. The fourth was similar with Stoehr battling all the way until Duncalf clinched the match 9/6. To her credit she had ground out a win without reaching the previous day's dizzy heights. Players have to learn the art of winning when they are not at their best or when things are not going their way. Duncalf did that against a spirited opponent. She will, on reflection, e thrilled, as indeed she said she was, to reach the British Open final. She would have settled for that at the beginning of the event. The match, by the way, was further proof of the need for 11 scoring for the women's game. David Palmer had, despite winning, made uncharacteristic errors in his match against Amr Shabana, but taking the first against Karim Darwish, they were hardly in evidence. But they reappeared in the second as Darwish gathered confidence, took control and won it to level the score. Playing freely now, with the racket skill everyone knows he has, he moved easily to 8-3 when he slipped in the front left, buckled and went down heavily. The signs, as he received treatment, were not good, and a quick trial movement on his return to the court told him all he needed to know. He conceded and understandably cast his racket down in frustration. You could only feel for him, but it meant that Palmer's dream of a fourth win remains very much alive.
David Campion
A considerable personal pleasure for me was to have David Campion featuring on semi-finals day at the Echo Arena. Having coached him from the first time he hit a squash all at the age of 7, having predicted that he would play for England after his first lesson, it was rewarding to see his unusual gifts with a racket again. Belonging to the golden England era of Peter Marshall, Simon Parke and himself, he reached the final of the World U19 in Paderborn, beat several world top 20 players immediately, but injuries prevented him from fulfilling wwhat was certain to be a successful playing career. Happily coaching has become his life and he is a key member o England's coaching staff. Nevertheless it was good to see him back on a big stage and good for many people who have never seen his talent. His touch, easy racket and subtlety set him apart from the ordinary. His post-match interview emphasised, to, his ability to speak lucidly about the game he clearly loves. He beat Simon Frenz of Germany 3/0 in some style and it will be good to watch him in action again in the final against Steve Richardson.