Williams to Play Shuja in Final

A major upset at the Manawatu International Squash Classic at SquashGym Palmerston North.

Wellington's Evan Williams caused a major upset in the semi-finals of the Manawatu International Squash Classic/Central Open today defeating number one seed and World number 77 Mike Corren of Australia in a tough five set match.

In a feisty encounter with both players questioning a number of the referee's calls, Williams the much lower ranked player got on top early grabbing a two sets to one lead. The experienced Corren fought back to take the match into a deciding fifth set. Williams out lasted Corren in the fifth set making it through to tomorrow's final.

In the other semi-final, Palmerston North's Kashif Shuja downed Christchurch's Paul Coll in a long four set match. Shuja's experience shone through as Coll pushed him hard the entire match.

Williams will be on high going into tomorrow's final and may start a slight favourite given the form he has shown this weekend.

The Women's open has gone to plan with world number 12 Joelle King set to play world number 46 Kylie Lindsay. Both had straight set wins in today's semi-finals. King will be hard to topple tomorrow in the finale of the women's draw.

The women are on first tomorrow at 2.00pm with men's final straight after at 2.45pm.

Results for the semi-finals of the Manawatu International Squash Classic/Central Open

Evan Williams beat Mike Corren 11-7, 9-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-6

Kashif Shuja beat Paul Coll 11-7, 11-6, 11-8, 12-10

Results for the Semi Finals of the Women's Open

Joelle King beat Danielle Fourie 11-4, 11-3, 11-5

Kylie Lindsay beat Emma Millar 11-9, 12-10, 11-7