Shuja Shines In Auckland Semis

Top seed Kashif Shuja survived an epic semi-final battle to reach Sunday's final of the Auckland Open at the National Squash Centre in Auckland, New Zealand.

Shuja, from Pakistan, twice came from behind before edging out fourth-seeded American Julian Illingworth in an 86-minute thriller, winning 11-15 17-15 6-15 15-6 15-9.

Shuja will meet Egypt's 9th seed Amr Ramzy Swelim in the decider.

Swelim reached his second PSA Tour final in two weeks on New Zealand soil with a clinical 15-9 15-14 15-10 victory over New Zealand national champion Glen Wilson. He'll be looking to go one better than last weekend's runner up finish at the South Island Championship in Christchurch.