Welsh Winner Tesni Powers Into British Squash Final

Welsh squash ace Tesni Evans is through to the women’s final at the British National Squash Championships.

Cardiff-born Evans, who now lives in Rhyl, defeated four-times British Champion Laura Massaro in straight games during the semi-final.

“I couldn’t be more happier to be in my first final in Manchester tomorrow,” tweeted Evans. “Hoping to put in another good performance tomorrow vs Alison Waters live on bbc sport website or squashtv at 5.30pm.”

She said in a post-match interview: “I knew there was more pressure on Laura than me, being the top seed and defending champion. I told myself I wasn’t expected to win.

“But I was really pleased with how I played.

“It’s great getting to the final. There are a lot more English players in the draws than us Welsh and Scottish, so it means a lot.”

England’s defending champion and World number four Massaro, 34, was beaten 11-3,11-8, 11-9 by Evans. In the third set Evans was awarded stroke on match ball to go through.

The final, against English player Alison Waters, is at the National Squash Centre in Manchester on Sunday (5.30pm).

London-born Waters, who lives in Welwyn Garden City, is ranked number 10 in the World.

Fierce competitor Waters, who made her your debut in 2000, has been crowned British champion four times and says: “It would be amazing to win the title for a fifth time.

“To say you are British champion is an amazing feeling and hopefully I can get the title back this year after three without winning it.”

Waters, whose highest ranking was number three, came through an exhausting semi-final and defeated Sarah-Jane Perry 11-6, 11-4, 8-11, 10-12, 11-5.

Evans, ranked 12th in the world, repeated her upset at December’s World Championships with victory against Massaro.

England’s Nick Matthews fought back after losing the first set in the men’s semi-final to beat Chris Simpson of Guernsey 6-11, 11-2, 11-9, 11-6.

Matthews will take on Englishman James Willstrop in his 11th championship final. Willstrop defeated countryman Daryl Selby 11-9 , 11-4, 11-2.