Koukal Conquers Calgary Hero Schnell

Czech squash star Jan Koukal disappointed the local crowd at the Bankers Hall Club Pro Am in Calgary when he defeated hometown hero Andrew Schnell in the quarter-finals of the PSA World Tour Challenger 10 event celebrating its 11th year at the Bankers Hall Club in the Alberta city in Canada.

"Koukal has been pretty much a regular at this event from the early years, while Schnell is from the host city and was hoping to continue a three-year streak of sorts that has seen himself and brother Graeme oust Koukal the last two years of this tournament," said tournament host Bob Ballinger, the club's Head Squash Professional.

"But the so called Family Streak is over as Koukal played a flawless match in this straight games victory over the local star in an entertaining three game match."

The 11-7, 11-6, 11-7 win takes the No7 seed from Prague, the runner-up in 2010, into a semi-final clash with Leo Au, the top seed from Hong Kong. Defending champion Au, ranked 41 in the world, defeated fifth-seeded Australian Rex Hedrick 11-6, 6-11, 11-6, 13-11 in 73 minutes.

Germany's Raphael Kandra took one step closer to his second successive appearance in the final after beating event debutante Alejandro Garbi Caro. But the Spaniard led 2/1 before fourth seed Kandra regained control to win 11-4, 8-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-4 in 76 minutes.

Kandra now faces No2 seed Martin Knight after the 30-year-old New Zealander beat Taiwan qualifier James Huang 11-5, 11-5, 11-5.

"So - two great looking semis coming up," added Ballinger. "Defending champ Leo Au and Jan Koukal on one side with Raphael Kandra going up against number two seed Martin Knight.

"Both matches promise to be great squash here in the Stampede city of Calgary!"

Semi-final line-up:
[1] Leo Au (HKG) v [7] Jan Koukal (CZE)
[2] Martin Knight (NZL) v [4] Raphael Kandra (GER)