Dubai: England and Egypt dominated in the semi-finals of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Series Finals at Dubai Opera on Friday.

England’s James Willstrop beat world champion Karim Abdul Jawad of Egypt 2-0, (14-12, 11-6) to book a date with Egypt’s Mohammad Al Shorbagy in the final after Al Shorbagy beat Germany’s Simon Rosner 2-1 (9-11, 11-8, 14-12).

In the women’s division, world champion Nour Al Sherbini of Egypt beat France’s Camille Serme 2-1 (15-17, 11-3, 12-10) to set up a meeting with defending champion Laura Massaro of England, after Massaro beat Egypt’s Nouran Gohar 2-1 (12-14, 12-10, 11-7).

All four winners said they were up for the finals.

“Before I qualified I wanted to be here desperately and there’s all sorts of motivations here,” said Willstrop. “Once I got there I was really focused on it. I had other tournaments to play, but this was the big finale and I’ve eyed it up certainly.”

Al Shorbagy agreed: “This is only my third final this season and my first since November. Two weeks ago, I got my motivation back, something clicked and I told myself I wasn’t born to lose in the quarter-finals or semis.

“I’m born for these kinds of matches and these kinds of moments and I don’t accept myself being in another position. There’s a golden generation in squash of Amr Shabana, Nick Matthew, Greg Gaultier, James Willstrop, Karim Darwish and Thierry Lincou.

“I’ve played against each one in a final before and I will always remember each final I’ve played against the guys because they taught me how to play the game. The only one I haven’t played in a final is James, so it’s such an honour to be in the final with him.”

Al Sherbini suffered a wrist injury in her game, but says she should be fine for the final.

“I thought that I was going to retire from the match because I couldn’t hold the racquet,” she said of the semi. “But I thought that I should go on and try and I think that’s the reason I won. Because of my hand I was just thinking that I wanted to finish the points, so I attacked on every point and every opportunity.

“It’s a big thing for me to reach the final of the World Series, it’s very special and I’m very glad to be in the final.”

Massaro said playing late games in such quick succession would take its toll.

“It’s a tough situation for us both, it’s really late and even though you get up late and do everything you can to recover, your body clock says that you should be in bed and not warming up for a squash match. Overall, I just need to let it sink in, but I’m really happy to be through to the final.”

Results

(Semi-finals)

James Willstrop bt Karim Abdul Jawad 2-0: 14-12, 11-6

Mohammad Al Shorbagy bt Simon Rosner 2-1: 9-11, 11-8, 14-12

Nour Al Sherbini bt Camille Serme 2-1: 15-17, 11-3, 12-10

Laura Massaro bt Nouran Gohar 2-1: 12-14, 12-10, 11-7