Unseeded Pakistani Aamir Atlas Khan continued his giant-killing run in today's semi-finals of the CIMB Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur to set up a meeting with French favourite Gregory Gaultier in the final of the PSA World Tour International 50 squash event at the Curve Shopping Mall.
In his most impressive Tour run for almost two years, Khan upset home favourite Mohd Azlan Iskandar, the title-holder and third seed, in the quarter-finals before facing higher-ranked Australian Cameron Pilley in the semis.
And after recovering from the loss of the opening game, the 20-year-old world No28 from Peshawar defeated Pilley 10-12, 11-6, 11-4, 11-9 in 54 minutes to reach the tenth PSA Tour final of his career.
Meanwhile Gaultier, the world No6 in his maiden appearance in the event, chalked up his third straight straight games win in the tournament when he beat qualifier Alan Clyne.
The Scot had enjoyed one his most impressive recent Tour runs - making his breakthrough in the opening round by ousting fourth seed Hisham Mohd Ashour before overcoming a further Egyptian Karim Abdel Gawad.
But Gaultier was too strong for the 24-year-old from Edinburgh, winning 11-5, 11-5, 11-1 in 41 minutes to mark up the 40th Tour final appearance of his career - but his first for almost a year.
Gaultier enters the final as firm favourite for the title - but whilst his career head-to-head Tour record against Atlas Khan is one win apiece, it was the Pakistani underdog, ranked 28 in the world, who emerged triumphant in their last meeting, in the second round of the Qatar Classic in November 2009.
RESULTS: PSA International 50 CIMB Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Semi-finals:
[1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [Q] Alan Clyne (SCO) 11-5, 11-5, 11-1 (41m)
Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) bt Cameron Pilley (AUS) 10-12, 11-6, 11-4, 11-9 (54m)
Official site: www.malaysianopensquash.com