RESULTS:    Women's Monte Carlo Squash Classic, Monte Carlo, Monaco


Quarter-finals:
[1] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [5] Dominique Lloyd-Walter (ENG) 11-7, 11-8, 11-2 (32m)
[4] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [6] Latasha Khan (USA) 11-5, 11-7, 11-7 (23m)
[3] Isabelle Stoehr (FRA) bt [8] Line Hansen (DEN) 11-6, 11-8, 7-11, 11-4 (36m)
[2] Madeline Perry (IRL) bt [7] Aisling Blake (IRL) 8-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-8 (55m)


For the first time in the event's 14-year history, there will be French interest in both semi-finals of the Women's Monte Carlo Classic, the $25,300 WISPA World Tour squash championship at Stade Louis II in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Isabelle Stoehr, the 30-year-old third seed, was there last year – in her eighth appearance in the event – but for 20-year-old fourth seed Camille Serme it will be a new experience in only her second time in the main draw.

Serme despatched US number two Latasha Khan, the No6 seed, 11-5, 11-7, 11-7 in just 23 minutes and will now play top seed Laura Massaro in a repeat of last year's quarter-final clash with the English player.

Serme is making rapid strides up the WISPA world rankings – and this month overtook Stoehr, the long-time French number one, to reach No13 and become her country's top-ranked player for the first time.

When asked about her year of progress, Serme said:  "I didn’t expect to be in the top 15 that fast as it had been hard to get into the top 30.  First I needed to improve mentally, to believe more in myself and that anything is possible.  Now I am not worried about whether I will be strong.

"I am working on being more precise and to improve the mix of my game," added the rising French star.

In the bottom half Isabelle Stoehr was pitted against Danish number one Line Hansen.  The Dane had won when they had last met in the New Zealand Open four months ago, and started well this time too.  

But, perhaps losing her French number one status has galvanised her, as Stoehr battled to an 11-6, 11-8, 7-11, 11-4 win over the eighth seed in 36 minutes.

British Open runner-up Madeline Perry awaits Stoehr in the semis after the Irish number one beat her national number two Aisling Blake in the quarters.  

Second seed Perry, the world No8, never looked entirely comfortable and was certainly extended despite winning 8-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-8 in 55 minutes.

Was something amiss? "I didn’t feel that sharp tonight and she was playing well," admitted Perry.

Semi-final line-up:
[1] Laura Massaro (ENG) v [4] Camille Serme (FRA)
[2] Madeline Perry (IRL) v [3] Isabelle Stoehr (FRA)