Qualifier Abouelghar Makes Hong Kong Semis

Victory over a fellow countryman ranked more than 45 places higher has taken Egyptian qualifier Mohamed Abouelghar into the semi-finals of the Hong Kong Football Club PSA International 25, the PSA International 25 squash event in its second year at the Hong Kong Football Club in Hong Kong.

The world No70 from Giza, the lowest-ranked player to survive the qualifying competition, stemmed two fight-backs by Karim Abdel Gawad to beat the No4 seed 11-8, 7-11, 11-6, 5-11, 11-5 in 60 minutes.

Abouelghar, 19, now takes on 30-year-old Alister Walker, the top seed from Botswana. The favourite was up against local hero Max Lee who, spurred on by the partisan crowd, opened up a two-game lead.

It was the Hong Kong number one's first meeting with Walker, the world No14 ranked 18 places higher. Lee was in devastating form, taking the second game despite a significant interruption while he received treatment for a cut above his eye.

"Walker came back to win the third game 11-8 and then 11-8 in the fourth," explained tournament spokesman Paul Errington. "But Walker's experience and determination came through with a win of the fifth game 11-2.

"This was squash at its best with good sportsmanship and amazing skill by both players."

There was an upset in the other half of the draw where unseeded Malaysian Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan came back from 2/1 down to beat third-seeded Finn Olli Tuominen 11-8, 4-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-8 in 66 minutes.

The 27-year-old from Terengganu will now face Dutchman Laurens Jan Anjema after the second seed ended former US champion Julian Illingworth's run, winning 11-5, 11-3, 11-7.

Semi-final line-up:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) v [Q] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY)
[2] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) v Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS)