Alister Walker Falls To Thierry Lincou

Alister Walker was left to rely on other results in Pool A as the Englishman lost his second match in succession at the ATCO PSA World Series Finals at Queen’s Club in London.

Walker, 28, lost to Thierry Lincou, of France, 11-8, 12-10 in another high-tempo match as the world’s top eight players adapt to the best-of-three format.

Having come out of the stalls early against James Willstrop yesterday, Walker opted for a more sedate opening against the Frenchman but a number of errors counted against the former Leeds-based player as Lincou took the opener 11-8.

The tempo increased in the second as both players jockeyed for mid-court supremacy. It was level-pegging until Walker found himself with two match balls at 10-8.

However the dogged Lincou, who has never lost to Walker, won four points in a row to put himself in the driving seat for a semi-final berth.

England’s world champion and world No 1 Nick Matthew, compatriot James Willstrop, plus Egyptian duo Amr Shabana and Ramy Ashour play later tonight.

Backed by Ziad Al-Turki, the charismatic Saudi businessman and Professional Squash Association chairman, the World Series Finals are the culmination of the 2010 Super Series season.

The eight players will play in two pools of four until Friday’s semi-finals. The finals will take place on Saturday.