SOUTHAMPTON, Bermuda: Top-ranked Amr Shabana of Egypt won his 18th straight match to set up a World Open squash semifinal with defending champion David Palmer of Australia on Thursday. Shabana defeated 2004 champ Thierry Lincou of France 10-12, 11-6, 12-10, 11-5, while third-seeded Palmer dispatched Alex Gough of Wales, the only unseeded player in the quarterfinals, 11-5, 11-4, 11-4. The other semifinal on Friday features second-seeded Gregory Gaultier of France, last year s runner-up, against seventh-seeded Nick Matthew of England. Shabana and Palmer are bidding to become the first three-time world champion since Jansher Khan won the last of his seven titles in 1996. The Egyptian has triumphed in his last three tournaments in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and this month in Hong Kong, where he last met Palmer, winning a four-setter in the semifinals. But he s had to battle to reach the last four in Bermuda, dropping four sets in three matches. Palmer, meanwhile, has cruised to the delight of Bermuda, where he lives part-time. Gaultier, the British Open champ who has also yet to drop a set, put away sixth-seeded John White of Scotland 12-10, 11-6, 11-5, and Matthew ended the remarkable run of countryman and fourth seed James Willstrop, who was fatigued after consecutive five-setters in losing 11-8, 11-6, 11-4. -AP
