Top seeds to contest finals at Nationals

Two mouth watering finals ahead at the New Zealand National Champs at Kawaroa Park

Defending champions Joelle King and Martin Knight are through to their respective finals at the New Zealand National Squash Championships in New Plymouth.

However, both face one last major hurdle before retaining the titles they win in 2011, with second seeds Jaclyn Hawkes and Campbell Grayson also through.

Joelle King has yet to drop a game in the tournament, confirming her title credentials with an 11-4, 11-5, 11-4 victory over rising star Megan Craig in the semifinals.  Craig had earlier upset 4th seeded Amanda Landers-Murphy in the quarters.  Jaclyn Hawkes also looks to be in good form, making light work of her opening three matches.  However, the world number 19 was pushed to four games by third seed Kylie Lindsay in the semis, prevailing 11-7, 11-2, 9-11, 11-2.

Meanwhile, Martin Knight had to work hard to earn his place in the final, battling to a four game win over 4th seeded Kashif Shuja.  The world number 46 dropped the first game, but bounced back to win 9-11, 11-0, 11-7, 11-4.  Campbell Grayson was also given a run for his money by third seed Evan Williams, going a game down before recovering to win 9-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-5.

The men's open final is at 1:30 tomorrow afternoon and the women's is at 2:30.