Graham Ryding scored the biggest win of his career when he defeated Peter Nicol in the last eight of the Qatar Men's World Open Squash Championship in Doha. The unseeded Canadian beat the English third seed and former champion 11-5 11-7 9-11 11-3 in 47 minutes.
"This is the best I've ever played and it was great to feel those emotions," said Ryding, 29, who also upset Nick Matthew of England in the first round.
Ryding now faces Frenchman Thierry Lincou, the No2 seed, in the last four.
Lincou needed 72 minutes to quash Australia's 14th seed Anthony Ricketts 11-10 11-7 7-11 8-11 11-3.
The other men's semi-final will feature England's Lee Beachill, the world No1 and top seed, and Australia's David Palmer, the 2002 champion - in a repeat of their recent British Open semi-final.
Palmer outgunned defending champion Amr Shabana of Egypt 6-11 7-11 11-2 11-8 11-10, while Beachill triumphed 11-7 11-4 11-9 against his Pontefract club-mate and close friend James Willstrop.
Meanwhile, the semi-finals of the Women's Qatar Classic will feature a family duel between Australian sisters Rachael and Natalie Grinham.
Rachael, the older of the two - who is ranked number one in the world - beat England's 13th seed Vicky Botwright 9-0 9-6 4-9 9-2, while Natalie ended Nicol David's brave run, beating the Malaysian 9-6 6-9 9-0 9-0.
England's second seed Cassie Jackman beat younger compatriot Jenny Duncalf 9-1 10-8 9-0 to set up a clash with third seed Vanessa Atkinson.
Dutchwoman Atkinson prevailed in two games against American Natalie Grainger when the fifth seed retired ill with score at 9-0 9-4.
Qatar Men's World Open quarter-final results:
[1] Lee Beachill (Eng) bt [12] James Willstrop (Eng) 11-7 11-4 11-9
[4] David Palmer (Aus) bt [6] Amr Shabana (Egy) 6-11 7-11 11-2 11-8 11-10 (2-0)
Graham Ryding (Can) bt [3] Peter Nicol (Eng) 11-5 11-7 9-11 11-3
[2] Thierry Lincou (Fr) bt [14] Anthony Ricketts (Aus) 11-10 11-7 7-11 8-11 11-3
Qatar Women's World Open quarter-final results:
[1] Rachael Grinham (Aus) bt [13] Vicky Botwright (Eng) 9-0 9-6 4-9 9-2
[4] Natalie Grinham (Aus) bt [8] Nicol David (Mas) 9-6 6-9 9-0 9-0
[3] Vanessa Atkinson (Ned) bt [5] Natalie Grainger (USA) 9-0 9-4 retired
[2] Cassie Jackman (Eng) bt [11] Jenny Duncalf (Eng) 9-1 10-8 9-0
MMIX
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