Squash: Kitchen withstands heat to reach semis

Natalie Grainger of the US plays a shot during her quarter-final defeat of Ireland's Madeline Perry at the New Zealand women's squash open. Photo / Joel Ford

New Zealand's Shelley Kitchen produced a stunning performance to claim a place in today's semifinals of the New Zealand women's squash open at Mt Maunganui.

She upset world number five Jenny Duncalf (England) in a thrilling five- gamer 4-11, 15-13, 11-8, 4-11, 11-7 on the glass court at Bayfair.

It is the first time that the world number 10 has qualified for a semifinal of a gold star A1 Homes-sponsored world event, which has $82,000 prizemoney.

Kitchen will take on the winner of the final quarter-final between world number three Natalie Grinham (Netherlands) and qualifier Line Hansen (Denmark). The other semifinal pits top seed Natalie Grainger (US) against Egypt's Omneya Abdel Kawy.

Earlier Grainger was pushed to five games to edge out sixth seed Madeline Perry (Ireland) 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 past two years.

The Englishwoman 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. I really wanted to play well tonight in front of all the people who have made this tournament possible in New Zealand," Kitchen said. "To make a semifinal 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."

Earlier the giant-killing run of 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 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."

Top seed Grainger was pushed to five games before taking out the final game 11-2 over Perry.

The world number two won the first two games before Perry, world number eight, fought back winning the next two before Grainger regrouped to dominate the final game.

New Zealand Men's Classic, a one-star world event, pits number two seed Martin Knight (NZL) against Australian Matthew Karwalski with the other semifinal between the Auckland pairing of top seed Kashif Shuja and Campbell Grayson.