Giant-Killers Au & El Tayeb Continue Cleveland Carve-Ups

Qualifiers Annie Au and Nour El Tayeb continued their giant-killing exploits in the Women's Tub O'Towels Cleveland Classic by downing the second and third seeds, respectively, in the quarter-finals of the Women's Squash Association Gold 50 event marking its fourth year at Cleveland Racquet Club in Pepper Pike, Ohio, USA.

"I can't believe how well I played," was 20-year-old El Tayeb's reaction after recording her career-first win over fellow Egyptian compatriot Raneem El Welily, the world No3. The lowest-ranked player to survive the two rounds of qualifying, former world junior champion El Tayeb made a sensational start to her Cleveland Classic debut by trouncing sixth seed Joelle King.

But arguably her best scalp of all-time came in the next round when she dismissed practice partner El Welily, the third seed, 8-11, 11-9, 11-4, 12-10.

"I was feeling confident so I was going for winners and they were working for me today," continued the world No27 from Cairo. "I practice with Raneem all the time and the shots I used I have copied from her! I am very happy here in Cleveland!"

El Welily said: "It was tough as Nour played very well today and she knows my game well. I was finding it hard to keep my focus today - and the way Nour played didn't help."

Au, the Hong Kong number one, made her first round breakthrough by taking out England's No7 seed Jenny Duncalf.

And it was another English opponent that fell to the left-hander's winning ways when Au despatched second seed Laura Massaro, the world No2 from Preston, 11-5, 12-10, 14-12. In fact, the win was world No13 Au's third Tour triumph in a row over the reigning British Open champion.

"I was hitting good length today and was using the lob well," explained 24-year-old Au. "Laura's deep game wasn't as good as it usually is and I was able to take the ball early and was confident finishing off the point."

Massaro, who celebrated her 10th successive month as world No2 last month, said: "Annie played a great match tonight and she always does well here as the court really suits her game. The ball moves off the front wall quite slowly and I was having trouble getting the ball into the back corners.

"Annie doesn't hit the ball hard, lifts the ball very well and was hitting into the back corners more consistently than me. The slow pace of the game and her variation of shots made it very difficult for me to find my rhythm."

Au faces her third English opponent in a row when she takes on Alison Waters for a place in the final. But the No4 seed from London had to stage one of the biggest fightbacks of her life against Egypt's unseeded Omneya Abdel Kawy to earn her anticipated place in the semi-finals.

The determined world No4 came from two games down, then saved match balls in the third game before eventually prevailing 8-11, 5-11, 15-13, 11-9, 11-5.

"I'm very happy that I was able to come back from being 2/0 down," said a relieved Waters. "I didn't get off to a great start and made lots of errors in the first game. In the second game I played better and cut down the errors but Omneya was attacking the front very well.

"Going into the third I knew I had to get stuck in and commit to grinding it out - and once I won the third game I knew I was in for a chance. It was a hard match and Omneya is always very difficult to play against."

Abdel Kawy added: "Alison did well to come back. I had match points in the third and fourth game and went for some winners but hit the tin, sometimes they work and you win the match. Alison came out strong in the fifth and I couldn't find my way back into the game."

Malaysia's world number one Nicol David is now one match away from her fourth successive appearance in the final after beating France's Camille Serme 11-5, 11-6, 11-6.

"I have played Camille before and she is a tough competitor," said the favourite from Penang. "The rallies were long, she made me work hard but I was able to set up the opening and I was able to put the ball away."

Fifth seed Serme said: "I was pleased with the way I played today - it's the best I have played against her! Nicol got everything back and there wasn't much I could do about it."

Semi-final line-up:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v [Q] Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
[Q] Annie Au (HKG) v [4] Alison Waters (ENG)