Cuskelly & Lee Claim World Series Quarter-Final Debuts In Doha

Australian Ryan Cuskelly and Hong Kong's Max Lee have earned quarter-final berths in a PSA World Series tournament for the first time after prevailing in the second round of the 2015 Qatar Classic at the Khalifa Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha.

Just one week after collecting the biggest PSA World Tour title of his career at the Welaptega Bluenose Classic - and breaking into the world top 20 for the first time - Cuskelly produced a stunning performance to brush aside England's Chris Simpson in straight games.

"I maybe didn't have the confidence before that I could beat anyone in the world and I've had a few good wins and results in big tournament - so I've got that belief now," said New South Wales-born Cuskelly.

"There was a time when I was stuck at 40 in the world for nine years or so and I thought maybe I wouldn't actually make it but I stuck in and worked really hard and the last six months have been really good.

"I can't believe I'm in the quarter-finals. I've been coming here for a few years and I've always watched the quarters and the semis so to be part of it now is awesome and I think I have a good chance in the next round as well."

Cuskelly will face Colombian world No.5 Miguel Angel Rodriguez in the quarters while Lee will face world No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy after downing Germany's world No.6 Simon Rösner 3/0 to book his maiden last eight appearance.

"I can't believe I came through in three," said Lee. "The last few times we have played he has won so I'm very happy to make the quarter-finals of a World Series tournament for the first time.

"I feel fresh so I focused on trying to play at a fast pace and move him around the court and I think I had a good performance. I really wanted to win today so I tried very hard not to think too far ahead and make sure I got my plan right and played with good length and attacked to take the ball early."

In the women's draw England's world No.3 Laura Massaro, winner of the first PSA World Series tournament of the season two weeks ago at the Delaware Investments US Open, celebrated her 32nd birthday by booking a place in the last eight.

The former world champion was forced to work hard for her berth in the quarters by compatriot Fiona Moverley, a qualifier who troubled the fourth seed from the off. But the experienced Massaro managed to find enough in her tank to hang in and see out the match.

"I didn't play 100 per cent at my best and when you do that against someone as dangerous as her you can get hurt but I felt like I worked her game out as the match went on," said Massaro.

"Every game was tight so I'm pleased to get off in four games. My first round match was quick and then I had a rest day yesterday so I feel like I'll be better for the remainder of the tournament after having a tough test today."

Massaro will take on Egyptian teenager Nouran Gohar, the World Junior Champion, in the quarter-finals which will also feature unseeded Joshana Chinappa. The Indian number two followed up her sensational first round win over world No.1 Raneem El Welily to defeat a second Egyptian Yathreb Adel and reach the last eight of a World Series tournament for the first time since 2013.

"It was hard to reset for today's match after beating Raneem in the first round but I tried hard not to overthink anything and to just play simple," said Chinappa.

"That's what I did against Raneem and I knew Yathreb would be tough because she had a great win over Dipika in the first round so I'm happy I managed to stay focused on and not think too far ahead and put in a good performance."

Qatar Classic image courtesy of www.squashpics.com