Chris Simpson came within a point of reaching his third PSA Tour final in Canada. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0811106)

An epic semi-final in the ninth annual Talisman Energy Bankers Hall Club Pro-Am saw the Guernseyman lose out in the most dramatic fashion to Mexican Arturo Salazar after 95 minutes of excitement, astonishing athleticism and top quality squash.

The players, seeded two and three for the event, traded the opening four sets with Salazar taking the first and third while Simpson hit back immediately both times.

The fifth-set finale, though, was truly nail-biting.

‘I was 8-2 down in the fifth and managed to come back and get match ball up at 10-9,’ Simpson said.

‘I played a good rally at match ball, but the gods seemed to be against me as he hit a lucky frame shot off a good shot from me to win the point.

‘We then played some very physical rallies, with nothing in it, and somehow I lost 13-11.

‘I am really gutted about the loss as I know that it could have gone either way … next time.’

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