Squash: Marshall v Nicol for final place: Britain will have player in World Open decider for the first time

BRITAIN became certain of its first male finalist in a world squash open when Peter Marshall and Peter Nicol came through to play each other in today's semi-finals.

Marshall, the Englishman, who had been seeded to reach the last four, overcame the former world champion from Australia, Rodney Martin, in four games; then Nicol, the Scotsman, beat Rodney's brother, Brett Martin, the second seed, also in four. The 21- year-old from Inverurie's 15- 10, 15-11, 6-15, 15-10 success thus upset the seedings. Paradoxically, though, Nicol's win had always seemed the more likely of the two - not only because he had beaten Brett Martin en route to the Hong Kong Open final two weeks ago, but because he exuded a calm authority and a nimble aggression which always had the elder Martin under pressure.

By contrast, Rodney Martin always looked dangerous against Marshall. His brilliantly gifted strokes often produced winners from unlikely positions, but the erratic concentration betrayed him.

Three errors from 12-all cost Rodney Martin the first game, and after he had come from 12-13 to win the second and lead 5-3 in the third, he made two more to slip from 10-12 to 10-14 - Marshall winning 15-13, 13-15, 15-10, 15-11.

The other semi-final will be between the top-seeded title-holder, Jansher Khan - who beat the England No 2, Chris Walker, in straight games - and the world No 4 from Australia, Rod Eyles.