Trans Tasman Final at International Classic

It will be a New Zealander and Australian clashing in tomorrow’s final of the NZ International Squash Classic after Martin Knight and Matthew Karwalski won today’s semi-finals in contrasting styles

The first semi-final saw top seed Martin Knight take on countryman and team mate Paul Coll. Knight renowned for his intense play and ability to play long rallies, ground Coll down over the course of the match winning a tight three setter, 11-9, 11-9, 11-6 in an epic 57 minutes. Knight was out for revenge tonight after going down to Coll in three sets at the recent Auckland Open. It was a good result for Knight that shows he is still a notch above his rapidly improving Commonwealth Games team mate.

Knight will now face Australian Matthew Karwalski in tomorrow’s final after Karwalski defeated World number 60 Jan Koukal from the Czech Republic, 5-11, 11-1, 8-11, 11-6, 11-3 in an incredibly short 36 minutes. Koukal played a very attacking game and was not interested in playing long rallies which was in complete contrast to the Knight and Coll semi-final earlier in the evening. Knight will go in to tomorrow’s final with confidence having never lost to Karwalski in their previous four meetings. The most recent was in Canada in 2013 with Knight winning three sets to one. In Karwalski’s favour is the fact that today’s 36 minute match is the longest he has been on court this tournament. He will be fresher than Knight who has had a tougher run through to the final.
The final gets underway at 2.00pm local time and will be streamed ‘live’ at the link below.

http://new.livestream.com/NBLlivestreaming/events/3072393

Quarter Final results

(1) Martin Knight beat (4) Paul Coll 11-9, 11-9, 11-6. 57 Minutes.
(3) Jan Koukal (CZE) lost to (2) Matthew Karwalski (AUS) 5-11, 11-1, 8-11, 11-6, 11-3. 36 Minutes.