Ramy Ashour and Nick Matthew, the world's top two players, will contest the North American Open final in Richmond, Virginia on Saturday in a repeat of last year's final.
World No 1 Ashour closed in on the head-to-head record against his illustrious Egyptian compatriot Amr Shabana by beating the reigning and four-time World Open squash champion in a 76-minute marathon in which he twice had to come from behind.
Shabana, the 30 year-old third seed, led in the first three games, though the 22-year-old top seed pegged it back each time, firing in some incredible power forehand crosscourt nicks.
The former world No 1, who defeated his younger compatriot in last year's World Open, looked to have it sewn up after he breezed through the third game, though let Ashour back in the fourth. It was not until the decider game that both players played at their full potential.
It was Ashour who moved into his 24th PSA Tour final in just over five years and a repeat of the 2009 final.
In the other all-English semi, world No 2 Matthew faced seventh seed James Willstrop, his Yorkshire rival against whom he boasted a 12-8 head-to-head advantage.
Willstrop, winner of the last Super Series event at the JP Morgan Tournament of Champions in New York, never really looked comfortable for the whole of the match. The 26 year-old from Leeds did take a lead in the first two games, though he was half the player of the previous round.
Matthew was hitting a more precise length and bringing the ball short enough on the volley drop to make Willstrop lunge, intercepting the next ball to end the rally at the back of the court.
It was a pattern that was repeated through the match. Willstrop briefly looked in control in the third game, though Matthew levelled the score and went on to win 11-8, 11-9, 12-10 after 62 minutes.
The winner of the Richmond final will top the PSA Super Series 2010 rankings – but, if it were Matthew, he would share the lead with fellow countryman James Willstrop.
Semi-finals:
[1] Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt [3] Amr Shabana (EGY) 12-14, 13-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-8 (76m)
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [7] James Willstrop (ENG) 11-8, 11-9, 12-10 (62m)
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