Arnold & David Set Up Historic Malaysian British Open Semis

Contrasting victories by qualifier Delia Arnold and top seed Nicol David in today's women's quarter-finals of the Allam British Open Squash Championships mean that there will be two Malaysians in the semi-finals for the first time in the 93-year history of the WSA World Series event at the Airco Arena in the English city of Hull.

Arnold wrote the latest chapter in an incredible run in Hull when she twice came from behind, then survived a tense tie-break decider to upset Egypt's No.2 seed Raneem El Welily 4-11, 16-14, 10-12, 11-6, 12-10 in 68 minutes.

A semi-finalist in all three of her previous appearances in the world-renowned event, world No.2 El Welily was strongly fancied to make the final for the first time after winning two Tour titles in three events before arriving in the UK.

But Arnold, the 29-year-old Malaysian No.3, has been playing the best squash of her life this week. After surviving two rounds of qualifiers, the Kuala Lumpur-born world No.29 went on to despatch fifth seed Alison Waters then 11th seed Annie Au before claiming the biggest scalp of her career in El Welily.

"I never thought I would reach the semi-finals of the British Open," said an overwhelmed Arnold afterwards. "It was mentally exhausting but I kept telling myself I could do it and to hang in there and be patient with her and it worked.

"I'm just really surprised - hopefully I'll just keep on going!"

Arnold will now face Camille Serme, the sixth seed who pulled off the day's first shock when she beat No.4 seed Nour El Sherbini, the 2012 runner-up from Egypt, 6-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9 in 66 minutes.

The stunning win sees the 26-year-old from Creteil become the first French player to make the last four since 2008 - and only the second of all-time.

David faced rising English star Sarah-Jane Perry, the 13th seed from Kenilworth appearing in the event's quarter-finals for the first time. Underdog Perry established significant leads in both the second and third games, but five-time British Open champion David fought back to come away unscathed in straight games, winning 11-6, 11-8, 12-10 in 47 minutes.

"Sarah-Jane is such a tough and talented player to be up against so I'm really pleased to have won in three games," said the 31-year-old Malaysian, now just a single win away from a remarkable 100th WSA World Tour final appearance.

"When I'm down a few points I just don't want to ever let go so I keep pushing.

"It's incredible that Malaysia have two players in the semi finals of a tournament as prestigious as the British Open so it will be really interesting to see how we both get on tomorrow."

David will now face English rival Laura Massaro in a repeat of the 2013 and 2014 finals. Despite just returning to the Tour after a two-month break, Massaro looked in impressive form - brushing aside New Zealand's Joelle King, playing her first tournament since rupturing her Achilles last August, 11-6, 11-2, 11-7 in 33 minutes.

"That win means a lot to me - to make the final last year and win it the year before is such a great experience, I desperately wanted to make the semis this year and go further if I can," said the No.3 seed from Preston. "I love coming back to Hull, I feel like I'm at home here."

Semi-final line-up:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v [3] Laura Massaro (ENG)
[Q] Delia Arnold (MAS) v [6] Camille Serme (FRA)