Two magnificent pieces of giant-killing clearly took far too much out of Nick Matthew.

The young Englishman couldn?t match his slaying of number one seed Thierry Lincou and world champion Amr Shabana and went down in straight games to Lee Beachill last night.

Although clearly earning brownie points with the crowd for his exploits, particularly the females, Matthew showed only flashes of the shot-making that took him to the semi-finals in the first place.

And Beachill, who himself was involved in a five-setter the day before against Jo Kneipp, would have been glad of the relative ease of his victory the day head of the clash with David Palmer.

Tonight?s game should prove to be an even-headed affair with Beachill a quiet player who, unlike yesterday?s opponent who constantly left the court to question the referees, shows his displeasure with just looks of disdain.

But it will also be an intriguing game with both players looking to be on top form.

Beachill said the 15-5, 15-11, 15-8 victory over Matthew was his best game of the tournament he should certainly have something left to help him take on Palmer for $7,220 in tonight?s final.

?For David to get through he must be approaching a return to the form he showed to make him world number one,? said Beachill, playing in his trademark odd shoes.

?He is a great player who is very hard to beat on his day and it is going to be a tough final. But you always expect tough games when you get to this stage of any tournament.?