Top Seeds On Course In Kuala Lumpur

The favourites took their places in the finals of the Country View Kuala Lumpur Open after contrasting victories in today's semi-finals at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil, Malaysia.

In the women's event, Nicol David, twice a former champion and the runner-up twelve months ago, coasted to a 9-2 9-3 9-3 win over third seed Carla Khan - though the Pakistani had earlier survived a tough quarter-final against Egyptian Engy Kheirallah, needing 74 minutes to earn her five-game win.

The top seed's opponent in the final will be second seed Annelize Naude - but David's compatriot Sharon Wee twice led against the Dutch No2 before Naude captured her 6-9 9-0 1-9 9-1 9-1 win in 45 minutes.

Pakistan's Shamsul Islam Khan, top seed in the men's event from Karachi, was fully stretched by fifth seed Saurav Ghosal before triumphing 11-2 11-10 6-11 11-10 over the Indian in 42 minutes.

The predicted all-Pakistani final was thwarted by originally unseeded Egyptian Amr Mansi. Promoted to eighth seed on the withdrawal of Australia's Mike Corren, Mansi upset 16-year-old second seed Yasir Butt, from Lahore, 11-9 11-7 2-11 11-7 in 43 minutes.

Men's semi-finals:
[1] Shamsul Islam Khan (PAK) bt [5] Saurav Ghosal (IND) 11-2, 11-10 (3-1), 6-11, 11-10 (3-1) (42m)
[8] Amr Mansi (EGY) bt [2] Yasir Butt (PAK) 11-9, 11-7, 2-11, 11-7 (43m)

Women's semi-finals:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [3] Carla Khan (PAK) 9-2, 9-3, 9-3 (24m)
[2] Annelize Naude (NED) bt [5] Sharon Wee (MAS) 6-9, 9-0, 1-9, 9-1, 9-1 (45m)