Annie Storms Into Alexandria Semis

Hong Kong's unseeded Annie Au stormed into the semi-finals of the Women's Alexandria Sporting Club Open after pulling off a sensational quarter-final upset over local star Engy Kheirallah, the third seed, in the $25,000 WISPA World Tour squash event at Alexandria Sporting Club in Alexandria, Egypt.

Au, the 19-year-old world No46 who upset top-20-ranked Australian Kasey Brown in this month's Australian Open final, fought back from a game down to lead 2/1 before Kheirallah, the world No18, forced a decider.

After romping to a 7-1 lead, Au had match-balls from 10-4 as her higher-ranked opponent produced a flurry of winners to reduce the deficit to 8-10.

But a sensational reverse backhand drop concluded matters for Au who celebrated a magnificent 3-11, 11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8 win after 68 minutes.

"I was a bit nervous in the middle but because I had nothing to lose I didn't worry and I played my best," said Au. "I'm a bit tired so my fitness has to get better."

Au now faces former world champion Vanessa Atkinson, the second seed from the Netherlands who beat England's unseeded Lauren Siddall 11-1, 12-10, 4-11, 8-11, 11-8.

Local interest in the semis will be led by Alexandrian Raneem El Weleily, the fourth seed who beat Dutch opponent Orla Noom 11-9, 11-3, 11-3. El Weleily will face favourite Rachael Grinham, the Cairo-based Australian who overcame English qualifier Laura Hill 11-4, 12-14, 11-8, 11-3.

Quarter-finals:
[1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [Q] Laura Hill (ENG) 11-4, 12-14, 11-8, 11-3 (45m)
[4] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) bt [7] Orla Noom (NED) 11-9, 11-3, 11-3 (23m)
Annie Au (HKG) bt [3] Engy Kheirallah (EGY) 3-11, 11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8 (68m)
[2] Vanessa Atkinson (NED) bt Lauren Siddall (ENG) 11-1, 12-10, 4-11, 8-11, 11-8 (47m)