Top Seeds Crumble In KL

The top two men's seeds failed to survive today's semi-finals of the NSC Series No1 in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, leaving unseeded Swiss teenager Nicolas Mueller and Kuwaiti qualifier Abdullah Almezayen to contest the final of the $10,000 PSA Tour event at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil.

Mueller, the 19-year-old world No116 from near Zurich, twice came from behind to beat Australian favourite Aaron Frankcomb - ranked 70 places higher - 5-11, 17-15, 5-11, 11-6, 11-3 in 75 minutes.

Giant-killer Almezayen claimed his third seed scalp in a row when he defeated Mohd Ali Anwar Reda, the No2 seed from Egypt, 11-8, 7-11, 11-5, 11-6 in 48 minutes.

Both players are celebrating their third appearances in a PSA Tour final - with the Kuwaiti boasting a 100% success record to date!

Order was restored in the women's $16,000 WISPA World Tour event where the top two seeds will contest the climax.

Firm favourite Shelley Kitchen, the world No13 from New Zealand, ended domestic interest in the championship when she beat fourth seed Delia Arnold, from Selangor, 11-3, 11-6, 11-2. The win takes the 29-year-old from Auckland into her 20th Tour final.

Hong Kong's second seed Annie Au had to battle back from a game down to beat England's sixth seed Emma Beddoes 9-11, 11-2, 11-9, 11-6. The 20-year-old, who won three Tour titles last year, is celebrating her sixth final appearance.

Men's semi-finals:
Nicolas Mueller (SUI) bt [1] Aaron Frankcomb (AUS) 5-11, 17-15, 5-11, 11-6, 11-3 (75m)
[Q] Abdullah Almezayen (KUW) bt [2] Mohd Ali Anwar Reda (EGY) 11-8, 7-11, 11-5, 11-6 (48m)

Women's semi-finals:
[1] Shelley Kitchen (NZL) bt [4] Delia Arnold (MAS) 11-3, 11-6, 11-2 (22m)
[2] Annie Au (HKG) bt [6] Emma Beddoes (ENG) 9-11, 11-2, 11-9, 11-6 (51m)