White Battles Back For Play-Off Place At Canary Wharf

Overturning a straight games defeat by Lee Beachill on the opening day, Scotland's John White clinched the last semi-final slot in the ISS Canary Wharf Classic when he beat Egypt's former world champion Amr Shabana 10-8 9-4 8-10 9-4 in 38 minutes in the final qualifying round at East Wintergarden in London's Docklands.

White, the seventh seed (pictured), began his comeback by beating Australia's third seed David Palmer on the second day. Beachill finished as winner of the Jubilee Place group after extending his unbeaten run with a 2-9 9-5 9-5 9-6 victory over Palmer in just under an hour.

In the other Canada Place group, Canada's fifth seed Jonathon Power finished his campaign undefeated by beating Australia's Anthony Ricketts 6-9 9-6 9-3 9-5 in 47 minutes.

With two wins apiece, both players were already assured of places in the semi-finals, but the Canadian's win sees him top the pool to earn a play-off for Friday's final against John White.

The other Canada Place match - for the wooden spoon - saw defending champion James Willstrop earn his first win this week in a 9-4 7-9 9-5 10-8 defeat of co-promoter Peter Nicol.