Rodriguez Outshines Shorbagy In Bogota

In a stunning victory which thrilled the partisan Colombian crowd, unseeded hometown hero Miguel Angel Rodriguez upset top seed and defending champion Mohamed El Shorbagy to claim a shock place in the semi-finals of the Club El Nogal Bogota Colombian Open, the PSA World Tour International 35 squash event at Club El Nogal in the country's capital Bogota.

It was a champion battle between Egyptian El Shorbagy, the world No8 who won the title for the first time last year, and Colombian number one Rodriguez, winner of the trophy in 2008 and 2010 - and playing at his home club.

"It was a match with no truce, great emotion, and happiness of a respectful and knowledgeable crowd," explained tournament spokesman Juan Carlos Santacruz.

Rodriguez recovered from a game down to take a surprise 2/1 lead.

"The fourth game El Shorbagy was more insecure, couldn't concentrate to tie the match and found himself against a completely focused Colombian who had all the support of the crowd," added Santacruz. "Rodriguez who is known for making history, won for the first time against a top ten player in his club and city."

The 6-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-8 victory after 73 minutes takes the 26-year-old world No27 through to a last four clash with fourth seed Stephen Coppinger. The South African, ranked a single place higher than Rodriguez, beat English qualifier Jaymie Haycocks 11-6, 11-4, 11-4.

There was a significant upset in the other half of the draw too where giant-killer Henrik Mustonen ousted higher-ranked Egyptian Mohd Ali Anwar Reda.

The fair-haired Finn reached the quarter-finals after a shock first round dismissal of No2 seed Hisham Mohd Ashour - and continued his rout of Egyptians by recovering from 2/1 down to see off Reda 11-9, 9-11, 8-11, 11-3, 11-9 in 62 minutes.

The 21-year-old world No49 will now face his third Egyptian in Bogota when he takes on Tarek Momen for a place in the final. The third seed from Cairo defeated New Zealander Martin Knight 11-7, 11-3, 11-4.

Semi-final line-up:
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) v [4] Stephen Coppinger (RSA)
Henrik Mustonen (FIN) v [3] Tarek Momen (EGY)

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