2011 KL Open Quarterfinal Review

Kuala Lumpur - The 2011 CIMB KL Open continued with world class squash and not a few surprises as the event moved to the Pizza Hut Glass Show court at Berjaya Times Square Mall in Kuala Lumpur.

Qualifier Gregoire Marche continued his run defeating South Africa's Stephen Coppinger, ranked 33 places higher in the PSA World Rankings, in the final match of the the quarterfinal round. The Frenchman is the lone unseeded player to reach the semifinals, joining top seed Karim Darwish, second seed Mohamed El Shorbagy and fourth seed Mohd Azlan Iskandar.

Darwish came through tested, but unscathed as he was able to fend off India's Saurav Ghosal in straight games in a highly competitive, quality match. Ghosal continued to the end and both he and Darwish put on a demo of shot making and movement as the squash savvy crowd cheered them on in appreciation. It was the late crucial points where Darwish pushed ahead before Ghosal faded in the third.

Rachael Grinham held first match ball before succumbing to Alison Waters of England. Waters was up 2-0 in games, both won in tiebreak, before Grinham roared back into the match, spreading the ball and making Waters visit all four corners. Grinham heavily worked boasts and lobs throughout the third and fourth on the slower court. Waters was able to focus in the fifth and keep the ball straight and tight, eventually winning 13-11 in the fifth of a quality and entertaining match.

Waters will move on to face Nicol David whom was victorious over Australia's Kasey Brown in a highly contested match. Brown earned many points off her short backhand game and took a game off World #1 David before losing in four before a packed Berjaya Times Square Mall audience.

Hong Kong maintains interest as Annie Au upset World #9 Camille Serme of France. Slowing the pace down and playing relaxed, Au continues her best ever performance in a WISPA Gold event. Compatriot Joey Chan fell in straight games against Ireland's Madeline Perry. Perry moves on to face Au and you can be sure that coach Tony Choi and Chan will be in Au's corner to encourage her continued against the strong Perry.

Mohamed El Shorbagy defeated local Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan in an excellent match. Adnan came in with the right agenda, eliminating all angles and not opening up the court against the racket of Shorbagy. Adnan will regret having held a late lead before committing unforced errors. Adnan is brimming with confidence though and will look to support fellow countryman Mohd Azlan Iskandar whom will now face Shorbagy. Iskandar defeated Pakistan's Aamir Atlas Khan in a match that had a furious early pace as Khan put on a shotmaking clinic, hitting nicks from all angles and holding a significant early lead before Iskandar reeled him in with tighter squash and forced errors.

Semifinals begin tomorrow at 3pm local time and will be broadcast live on Astro TV. Check your local listings for details.