Mudge & Shuja Set Up Trans-Tasman Title Tussle In Whakatane

Victories by sixth seed Jason Mudge and fourth seed Kashif Shuja in today's semi-finals of the Asset Finance & Easy Loans Bay of Plenty Open have set up a trans-Tasman battle to decide the winner of the new PSA Tour event in Whakatane, New Zealand.

Australian Jason Mudge was too good for fellow Aussie Simon Carruthers, cruising to an 11-8 11-1 11-3 victory over the fifth seed in just 36 minutes. The 33-year-old from Adelaide has been a member of the PSA since 1999, but is now one match away from his maiden Tour title success.

Shuja had a sterner test against second seeded Australian Cameron White, but eventually prevailed in a superb match to record an impressive 11-9 11-9 11-10 (2-0) upset in 49 minutes. Pakistan-born Shuja, the 27-year-old New Zealand national champion, is celebrating his 11th appearance in a PSA Tour final.

Semi-finals:
[6] Jason Mudge (AUS) bt [5] Simon Carruthers (AUS) 11-8, 11-1, 11-3 (36m)
[4] Kashif Shuja (NZL) bt [2] Cameron White (AUS) 11-9, 11-9, 11-10 (2-0) (49m)