It's Knight's Day In Palmerston North
by Howard Harding

6 September 2013 - Martin Knight carried home interest into the semi-finals of the Fitzherbert Rowe Lawyers New Zealand International Squash Classic after dismissing fellow Kiwi Kashif Shuja in today's quarter-finals of the PSA World Tour Challenger 10 event at SquashGym in Palmerston North, New Zealand.

"I was happy with my defensive lobs tonight and I was conscious of not giving Kash too many chances as he is too good a player and eventually one will be a winner," said third seed Knight (pictured above, left, with Shuja), the reigning New Zealand national champion, after his 11-3, 11-6, 12-10 victory in 50 minutes.

"We know each other's games very well and I knew it would be tough tonight with Kash playing in front of his home crowd."

Knight, ranked 53 in the world, will now face Leo Au, the No2 seed from Hong Kong ranked six places higher. Au was pushed hard by New Zealander Paul Coll in the longest quarter final of the night. Aucklander Coll got the first game and stretched Au in the next three - but went down 9-11, 11-9, 13-11, 11-7 in 58 minutes.

Top seed Alan Clyne of Scotland defeated Finland's Matias Tuomi in straight games and now plays Pakistan teenager Nasir Iqbal who beat Australia's Justin Beard.

RESULTS: PSA Challenger 10 Fitzherbert Rowe Lawyers New Zealand International Squash Classic, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Quarter-finals:
[1] Alan Clyne (SCO) bt Matias Tuomi (FIN) 11-4, 11-9, 11-6 (30m)
[4] Nasir Iqbal (PAK) bt Justin Beard (AUS) 11-8, 11-7, 12-10 (36m)
[3] Martin Knight (NZL) bt Kashif Shuja (NZL) 11-3, 11-6, 12-10 (50m)
[2] Leo Au (HKG) bt Paul Coll (NZL) 9-11, 11-9, 13-11, 11-7 (58m)

Semi-final line-up:
[1] Alan Clyne (SCO) v [4] Nasir Iqbal (PAK)
[2] Leo Au (HKG) v [3] Martin Knight (NZL)