RESULTS: A1 Homes Women's New Zealand Squash Open, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
Quarter-finals:
[1] Natalie Grainger (USA) bt [6] Madeline Perry (IRL) 11-6, 11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 11-2 (46m)
[5] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) bt [Q] Joelle King (NZL) 11-8, 11-4, 5-11, 11-8 (36m)
[7] Shelley Kitchen (NZL) bt [4] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) 4-11, 15-13, 11-8, 4-11, 11-7 (59m)
[2] Natalie Grinham (NED) bt [Q] Line Hansen (DEN) 11-5, 11-1, 11-9 (28m)
Men's New Zealand Classic, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
Quarter-finals:
[1] Kashif Shuja (NZL) bt [Q] Jacob Alexander (AUS) 11-5, 11-8, 11-6 (24m)
[3] Campbell Grayson (NZL) bt [5] Zac Alexander (AUS) 11-5, 11-5, 7-11, 9-11, 11-8 (62m)
[4] Matthew Karwalski (AUS) bt Wai Hang Wong (HKG) 11-3, 11-7, 11-5 (21m)
[2] Martin Knight (NZL) bt [6] Joshua Greenfield (NZL) 11-7, 11-6, 12-14, 11-8 (51m)
New Zealand’s Shelley Kitchen, the seventh seed, produced a stunning performance to claim a surprise place in the semi-finals of the A1 Homes New Zealand Women’s Squash Open after upsetting world number five Jenny Duncalf in a thrilling quarter-final match in the $55,000 WISPA World Tour Gold event at Mount Maunganui which went the full distance.
The 4-11, 15-13, 11-8, 4-11, 11-7 victory marks the first time that the world number 10 from Auckland has qualified for the last four of a WISPA Gold world event since the Carol Weymuller Open in 2007 - and takes the Aucklander into the biggest semi-final of her career.
Kitchen will take on Natalie Grinham after the Dutch-based Australian-born world number three breezed past Danish qualifier Line Hansen 11-5, 11-1, 11-9.
The other semi-final pits USA's top seed Natalie Grainger against Egypt’s Omneya Abdel Kawy. Earlier Grainger was pushed to five games before edging out Ireland's sixth seed Madeline Perry while Kawy proved too strong for kiwi qualifier Joelle King in four games.
The hard-earned victory was Kitchen's first over Duncalf in five meetings over the last two years.
The English woman started fast, winning the first game with ease after a 6-0 lead. Kitchen led 8-5 in the second before Duncalf edged to match ball at 10-8. The kiwi dug deep to level the scores and stave off four match balls before claiming the game 15-13. While Kitchen dominated the third, Duncalf was much too strong in the fourth.
The final game saw Duncalf ahead 6-5 before a crucial run gave Kitchen the lead 9-6 and she finished the match with two deft winners.
"That was so pleasing," said Kitchen. "I really wanted to play well tonight in front of all the people who have made this tournament possible in New Zealand. To make a semi-final at a gold star event is great. I am really thrilled."
The 29-year-old from Kaitaia said she had to dig deep after Duncalf made such a fast start. "She never let me into the match, broke things up and turned me around. But as we got into the match, I found my length. I really think the glass court suits me and I managed to generate some good speed off the walls.
"The final game was all about focus. I don’t think I made a mistake all game. It was great to have the big crowd here – although it would be even better to have them a bit more vocal. Maybe tomorrow."
Earlier the giant-killing run of Joelle King came to an end when the Hamilton 20-year-old lost to world number seven Kawy 11-8, 11-4, 5-11, 11-8.
It is the first time that King has qualified for a gold star level world event and her performances should see the kiwi, currently ranked 39, move inside the world’s top 30.
"I was naturally disappointed. I really thought I could win today," King said. "I found it hard to get up again for a second big game in a row. I’ve never been in a tournament of this level and still need to understand and have the strength to get up day after day and produce your best.
"Omneya is a top player and she controlled the rallies. I fought really hard but this is very much part of the learning process for me.
“I’ve come a long way in a few weeks and I am proud of what I have achieved. I firmly believe now that I can become a top-10 player in the world and even world number one.”
Australia's Matthew Karwalski stands in the way of an all-NZ final in the men's New Zealand Classic after the 23-year-old from New South Wales beat Hong Kong's Wai Hang Wong 11-3, 11-7, 11-5 to reach the semi-finals of the $10,000 PSA World Tour event.
Fourth seed Karwalski will face New Zealander Martin Knight following the second seed's 11-7, 11-6, 12-14, 11-8 defeat of fellow countryman Joshua Greenfield.
Top-seeded Kiwi Kashif Shuja beat Australian qualifier Jacob Alexander 11-5, 11-8, 11-6 and will now face compatriot Campbell Grayson in the semis after the third seed also beat an Australian, fifth seed Zac Alexander, 11-5, 11-5, 7-11, 9-11, 11-8.
Women's semi-final line-up:
[1] Natalie Grainger (USA) v [5] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY)
[2] Natalie Grinham (NED) v [7] Shelley Kitchen (NZL)
Men's semi-final line-up:
[1] Kashif Shuja (NZL) v [3] Campbell Grayson (NZL)
[2] Martin Knight (NZL) v [4] Matthew Karwalski (AUS)