Nick Matthew on verge of British Open squash history with Egypt's maestro Ramy Ashour standing in way Willstrop held the early advantage thanks to a succession of front wall and counter drop winners. However, there were clear signs that Ashour, 24, was on his game. Four times Willstrop sent the Egyptian court sprinting to all corners in what must rank as his finest set of retrievals from the back wall. Ashour won each of those points. The Yorkshireman was unable to control the rallies, Ashour's speed proving the catalyst. It made for a fine spectacle. The pair's conduct was exceptional, too: not one remonstration to the referee, whose only blemish was not calling the score quick enough such was Ashour's march towards the next rally. Meanwhile Matthew, the double world champion, blew compatriot Peter Barker away in straight games with a dominant display in both volley drops and physical brutality. The world No 2 is also on course for history by becoming the first Englishman to win the title for a third time. "I was pleased with the way I started," said Matthew. I'm looking forward to playing the final in such a tremendous venue and atmosphere. Laura Massaro's hopes of reaching a first home final were scuppered by Nicol David, Malaysia's multiple world champion. The serene David played a brilliantly compact game to win 11-5, 11-8, 11-4 and will now meet Egypt's 16 year-old Nour El Sherbini, who became the youngest ever British Open finalist as well as the first Egyptian to reach the woman's final.