Au Topples Walker In Hong Kong

Local hopeful Leo Au, the world No39, delighted the home crowd at the Hong Kong Football Club PSA International 25 by taking out top seed Alister Walker, ranked 18 places higher, in a five-game thriller.

The 24-year-old Hong Kong number two came through a tense 75-minute battle, holding his nerve to seal an impressive 6-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 11-3 win and set up a semi-final encounter with Malaysian world No34 Ong Beng Hee, after the experienced 34-year-old despatched Finland's Henrik Mustonen 3/0.

"I took my chances, tried to get the ball back to him and not make mistakes," said Au.

'I was able to play slower, change the pace and just play my own game."

There was further delight for the local fans as Hong Kong's No1 Max Lee also came through his quarter-final match against Egypt's Mazen Hesham, taking a hard-fought 3/0 victory.

The world No32 will take on No2 seed Adrian Grant, the former world No9 from England, in the other semi.