Ouseph into final at US Open in Los Angeles

THREE-time English national champion Rajiv Ouseph is just one win away from clinching the Yonex US Open after securing a marathon semi-final victory in Los Angeles.

ON THE MARCH: Rajiv Ouseph is just one win away from capturing the US Open title in Los Angeles (Alex Roache)

The world number 22 edged out Singapore's Ziliang Derek Wong in 21-19, 19-21, 21-15 in 54 minutes to book a final clash with France's ninth seed Brice Leverdez.

The Frenchman is into his second final in successive weeks after finishing runner-up to former world and Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat at the Canadian Open.

Ouseph and Leverdez have met twice before back in 2007. Ouseph won 28-26 in the third game when they met in the Irish Open but Leverdez won in straight games when they met again in the Spanish Open.

"It was a great match," said new men's singles coach Kenneth Jonassen of Denmark, a former European champion.

"In the first game Raj was trailing all the way but, with a good change of tactics and toughness, he made a really good comeback and was able to win that game even though it was not his to win.

 "Both played well in the second game but Wong was a little faster and had the upper hand, but again Raj came back at the end. It was just that this time his push was a little too late and Wong ended the second game with two good smashes beyond Raj's reach.

"The third game was always going to come down to who wanted it the most and who was able to keep the right tactics.

Both players where very tired, but Raj had just what was needed and played with both power and a good mind game, showing no sign of giving up, He was the stronger player today. 

"The final against Brice will be very tough because at the moment he is full of confidence after last week's Canadian final against Taufik.

"But the chances are there although again it will be a matter of who can handle the pressure better and still maintain a high level of play."