King Downs Duncalf at US Open

New Zealand squash star Joelle King has caused a huge upset at the prestigious US Open in Philadelphia.

The Kiwi qualifier, ranked 12^th in the world, is through to the semi-finals after a surprise 8-11, 11-4, 11-3, 8-11, 11-5 victory over third seed Jenny Duncalf from England.

Duncalf, the world number four, won the opening game of the match despite a high error count, but King took control of the next two and looked set to win in four.  However, the 24-year-old Kiwi started making errors of her own and Duncalf seized the opportunity to take the match to five.

The start of the fifth game was always going to be crucial and when King raced out to a 7-1 lead the match was effectively over.

Joelle King was delighted with her performance.

“I’m absolutely stoked to get through - it’s my first semi-final of a Gold event, let alone a Word Series – I’m so, so pleased!”

However, it doesn’t get any easier for King, with Malaysian world number one Nicol David waiting in the semis.  David earned her place in the last four with an 11-5, 11-7, 11-9 win over English qualifier Alison Waters, avenging her defeat to Waters in Brooklyn last weekend.

Results

Round of 16

1)Nicol David (MAS) def Q)Camille Serme (FRA) 11-6, 11-8, 11-8

Q)Alison Waters (ENG) def 8)Natalie Grinham (NED) 10-12, 11-5, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7

3)Jenny Duncalf (ENG) def Rachael Grinham (AUS) 11-5, 11-8, 11-4

Q)Joelle King (NZL) def 7)Nour El Sherbini (EGY) 12-10, 11-6, 11-5

5)Madeline Perry (IRL) def Q)Donna Urquhart (AUS) 11-5, 11-4, 7-11, 11-2

4)Laura Massaro (ENG) def Kristen Lange (USA) 11-0, 11-3, 11-4

Kasey Brown (AUS) def 6)Annie Au (HKG) 12-10, 11-8, 11-9

2)Raneem El Weleily (EGY) def Low Wee Wern (MAS) 11-8, 5-11, 11-8, 11-5

Quarter-finals

1)Nicol David (MAS) def Q)Alison Waters (ENG) 11-5 11-7 11-9 (41 minutes)

Q)Joelle King (NZL) def 3)Jenny Duncalf (ENG) 8-11, 4-11, 3-11, 11-8, 11-5 (42 minutes)

5)Madeline Perry (IRL) vs 4)Laura Massaro (ENG) to be played Thursday NZT

Kasey Brown (AUS) vs 2)Raneem El Weleily (EGY) to be played Thursday NZT

Full draw/results... http://www.usopensquash.com/draws/2012-womens-main-draw/