Hamilton’s Anthony McMurtrie pulled off a surprise win over No.1 seed Rod Hayes of Manurewa to gain a place in today’s final of the North Shore squash open. McMurtrie has recently returned from Europe and showed the benefit of hard international matchplay in downing the favourite for the Air Pacific sponsored event. Hayes was only good in patches and not moving as well as he usually does.He tried for his shots but did not have the match fitness of McMurtrie. But McMurtrie was positive, moving well for a big player and thoroughly deserving his 9-5,9-6,9-1 win.His form augurs well for the national under 23 championships in Nelson next week. McMurtie’s opponent in the final will be former New Zealand representative Craig Blackwood of Eden-Epsom. Blackwood, now recovered from the appendicitis that forced him out fo the world event last year beat veteran Neven Barbour of Henderson 10-8,9-0,9-5. The first game was a seesaw affair but Blackwood looking quite sharp, dominated the second game and coasted to a 9-5 win in the third. The final of the Air Pacific tournament will be played at the North Shore club at 3.45pm today.The women’s final will be between the home club’s Jenny Webster and Kay Collins of Panmure.