Mighty Massaro Downs US Open Champion David

England's Laura Massaro ended Malaysian Nicol David's bid to win a record fourth Delaware Investments US Open title in a row after fighting back from 2/0 down to win a gripping five-game battle in the PSA World Series event's quarter-finals at Drexel University in Philadelphia.

World No.3 Massaro mounted a dramatic comeback the last time the duo met at the Allam British Open in May when she recovered from 2/1 and match-ball down to come through an enthralling 77-minute encounter - and proved that lightening can indeed strike twice as she once again dug deep to recover from a two-game deficit to eliminate the world No.2 after 70 minutes of intense action that had the crowd on the edge of their seats.

"Being two games down against Nicol is always going to be an uphill battle but I knew I could do it because that's what happened last time we played so I kept that in my mind and it was maybe in her mind as well," said Massaro, the 2011 champion.

"She was playing well and I was being hard on myself after the first game and then the second went so quickly. In the third I came out to fight my hardest because I don't ever want to lose 3/0 to anyone so I wanted to make the score respectable.

"I was just taking it one rally at a time and I guess it came good for me in the end. We've played a lot of matches over the years and that was probably one of the most back-and-forth so I'm just massively relieved."

Massaro will take on Egypt's Omneya Abdel Kawy in the semi-finals after the World No.6 from Cairo eliminated India's Dipika Pallikal - shock winner over world No.1 Raneem El Welily in the previous round - to reach the last four for the first time since 2005

Meanwhile, Nick Matthew ensured there will be English representation in both draws after a commanding win over Fares Dessouki.

Since winning the men's title in 2007 the 35-year-old from Sheffield has made the semi-final or better on every appearance at the prestigious North American event and will now compete in the last four for a seventh time after despatching his 21-year-old opponent with consummate ease - making just five errors in the entire match to put Dessouki to the sword in 49 minutes.

"I think that was maybe my best tactical performance of the week," said Matthew.

"I've made the final here a few times in the last few years but never got past that final hurdle so hopefully this is the year that I can change that - but I'll take it one step at a time. I struggled for form in the first round so I'm just enjoying my squash at the minute and hopefully that will continue."

Matthew will face Omar Mosaad for a place in the final after the powerful Egyptian beat England's Daryl Selby 3/2 to secure an appearance in the semi-finals of a PSA World Series event for the first time in his career.

US Open image courtesy of www.squashpics.com