Martin Makes Maryland Semi

Unseeded New Zealander Martin Knight continued his giant-killing march through the field of the National Capital Open when he upset fellow countryman Campbell Grayson to reach the semi-finals of the $15,000 PSA Tour squash event in Bethesda in the US state of Maryland.

Following his shock win over the fourth seed in the first round, Wellington-born Knight battled for 91 minutes to overcome Grayson, the No8 seed, 11-7, 6-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-5.

Already competing in his fifth PSA Tour event of the year, 25-year-old Knight now faces US number one Julian Illingworth, the second seed, for a place in the final.

Old Princeton and Yale rivalry was rekindled as Illingworth took on Egyptian Yasser El Halaby in the final match of the round. El Halaby looked as sharp as ever, bounding around the court and hitting with great authority. Yale graduate Illingworth, also a four-time US champion, was well up to the task, however, and displayed superior shot variety in dealing with his opponent's power - ultimately winning 11-7, 11-8, 2-11, 11-4 in 64 minutes.

Meanwhile the other seeds Shahier Razik and Jan Koukal had more routine wins over their opponents. Canadian favourite Razik recovered from a game down to beat Irishman Liam Kenny 9-11, 11-8, 11-1, 11-5, while third seed Jan Koukal, the Czech number one, ended qualifier David Phillips's run, beating the Canadian 11-9, 11-5, 6-11, 11-6.

Quarter-finals:
[1] Shahier Razik (CAN) bt [5] Liam Kenny (IRL) 9-11, 11-8, 11-1, 11-5 (61m)
[3] Jan Koukal (CZE) bt [Q] David Phillips (CAN) 11-9, 11-5, 6-11, 11-6 (53m)
Martin Knight (NZL) bt [8] Campbell Grayson (NZL) 11-7, 6-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-5 (91m)
[2] Julian Illingworth (USA) bt [6] Yasser El Halaby (EGY) 11-7, 11-8, 2-11, 11-4 (64m)