Reda Rallies Into Reunion Semis
Quarter-finals:
[1] Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt [5] Renan Lavigne (FRA) 11-3, 11-6, 11-5 (39m)
[7] Mohd Ali Anwar Reda (EGY) bt Liam Kenny (IRL) 6-11, 11-7, 2-11, 11-5, 11-2 (72m)
[3] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt [6] Aaron Frankcomb (AUS) 11-1, 11-8, 11-3 (32m)
[2] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt Yann Perrin (FRA) 9-11, 11-7, 11-3, 6-11, 11-5 (67m)
Egypt's Mohd Ali Anwar Reda secured a surprise semi-final slot in the Internationaux de la Reunion on Reunion Island after surviving a marathon 72-minute battle with Irishman Liam Kenny in the inaugural $30,000 PSA World Tour squash event at ASCTR-Stade Michel Volnay in Saint Pierre.
Unseeded Kenny had reached the last eight after a shock first round upset over England's fourth seed Tom Richards. But, despite twice leading, the US-based 31-year-old was unable to stop seventh seed Reda marching to a 6-11, 11-7, 2-11, 11-5, 11-2 victory - and a place in the last four.
Reda now faces Reunion-born former world champion Thierry Lincou for the first time in his career. The top-seeded local star despatched French team-mate Renan Lavigne, the fifth seed, 11-3, 11-6, 11-5.
There will also be Egyptian interest in the other semi-final after third seed Omar Mosaad defeated Australian Aaron Frankcomb, the No6 seed, 11-1, 11-8, 11-3.
The Cairo-based world No23 will now face Dutchman Laurens Jan Anjema, the second seed. Anjema, fresh from his title triumph in last week's Movida International Toulouse Open in France, was fully stretched by opponent Yann Perrin before beating the unseeded Frenchman 9-11, 11-7, 11-3, 6-11, 11-5 in 67 minutes.
Semi-final line-up:
[1] Thierry Lincou (FRA) v [7] Mohd Ali Anwar Reda (EGY)
[2] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) v [3] Omar Mosaad (EGY)