James Willstrop meets England team-mate Peter Barker in China Open final
By Squash Mad Reporter
English World No.7 James Willstrop and World No.8 Peter Barker will go head-to-head in the final of the 2014 China Open – Squash Stars On The Bund, PSA International 70 tournament, in Shanghai, China to determine who will win the inaugural China Open title.
Separated by just one place on the PSA World Rankings and having claimed silver and bronze in the Commonwealth Games, respectively, the pairing are set to contest a gripping finale that will take place on the 11th floor of the iconic Shanghai Peninsula hotel, which overlooks the city’s spectacular Bund.
Harrogate-based Willstrop, the tournament’s number one seed, booked his place in the final courtesy of victory over Egyptian Omar Mossad, recovering from an early setback after losing the opening game of the match to show his experience and shot playing ability to rally back and complete an impressive 3-1 win.
He will now face Barker for the chance to win his first tournament since the 2013 Canary Wharf Classic, when it was the Essex-man who he beat in the final that day, after the physical left-hander ensured it would be an all-English occasion in Shanghai following a comfortable 3-0 win over experienced Dutch competitor Laurens Jan Anjema.
Anjema had ended number two seed Borja Golan’s hopes of tournament success at the quarter-final stage, but Barker remained untroubled throughout the contest, recording a win that sees him through to his first final since finishing runner-up in January’s Motor City Open.
2014 China Open – Squash Stars On The Bund: Semi-final Draw:
[1] James Willstrop (ENG) bt [5] Omar Mosaad 3-1: 8-11, 11-5, 11-3, 11-4 (56m)
[3] Peter Barker (ENG) bt [6] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) 3-0: 11-5, 11-5, 11-2 (49m)
2014 China Open – Squash Stars On The Bund: Final:
[1] James Willstrop (ENG) v [3] Peter Barker (ENG)
Picture courtesy of PSA