Rafael Wins South American Clash In Brasilia

Brazilian number one Rafael F Alarcon delighted home crowds at the Brasilia Open when he defeated Argentinian rival Jorge Gutierrez in four games to reach the semi-finals of the PSA Tour event in Brazil's capital city.

Alarcon, the third seed, beat Argentina's unseeded No1 11-7 10-11 11-8 11-0 in 56 minutes and now faces Australia's top seed Glenn Keenan for a place in the final.

Netherlands-based Keenan was extended for more than an hour before beating Brazilian qualifier Luciano Barbosa 11-6 9-11 11-10 11-9.

There will be surprise local interest in the other semi-final following giant-killer Vinicius Costa's second successive upset in the event. The Brazilian qualifier toppled eighth-seeded compatriot Saverio Christovam 11-3 11-10 11-7 in 33 minutes and now faces second seed Liam Kenny after the Irishman scored a straight games victory over Canada's fifth seed Sabir Butt.

Quarter-finals:
[1] Glenn Keenan (AUS) bt [Q] Luciano Barbosa (BRA) 11-6, 9-11, 11-10 (2-0), 11-9 (65m)
[3] Rafael F Alarcon (BRA) bt Jorge Gutierrez (ARG) 11-7, 10-11 (1-3), 11-8, 11-10 (3-1) (56m)
[Q] Vinicius Costa (BRA) bt [8] Saverio Christovam (BRA) 11-3, 11-10 (2-0), 11-7 (33m)
[2] Liam Kenny (IRL) bt [5] Sabir Butt (CAN) 11-10 (2-0), 11-6, 11-9 (60m)