Squash: King ousted from Aussie Open

New Zealand' Joele King. Photo / Brett Phibss

New Zealander Joelle King's run at the Australian squash open has been halted by defending champion Madeline Perry.

The Australian won a close quarter-final contest with 2009 winner King to reach the final four.

Perry came from 3-8 down in the fourth to see off the powerful New Zealander 13-11 2-11 12-10 11-9 and avenge a first round defeat to King at last month's Malaysian Open.

"I'm used to beating people with my pace, taking the ball early and hitting it hard on the T but she does it better than me," Perry said.

"So I have to play a little bit differently and I don't find it all that comfortable.

"I managed to slow it down a bit more from the last time I played her.

"I didn't play very well against her in Malaysia but I've had a few good matches since then and I was confident I could play her better today."

In other quarter-finals, No 2 seeded Jenny Duncalf saw off a tenacious Natalie Grinham 11-4 12-10 8-11 11-8 and Rachel Grinham accounted for Australian teammate Donna Urquhard 11-7 11-4 11-7.

World No 1 Nicol Dave was the fourth semi-finalist after Annie Au was forced to retire with a leg injury. David was leading 11-0 11-2 4-0 when the Hong Kong player withdrew.

- NZPA