Squash: Kitchen reaches quarter-finals

KUALA LUMPUR - Cassie Jackman lost 9-5 9-4 9-7 to New Zealand's Shelley Kitchen in the second round of the women's World Open on Wednesday after suffering numbness in her left leg during the match.

Former world champion Jackman experienced similar symptoms during November's British Open and had tests in a Doha hospital last week after suffering from breathing problems and pains in her side at the Qatar Classic.

The second-seeded Briton had feared the problem was caused by deep vein thrombosis (DVT) but after flying from Doha to Kuala Lumpur Jackman decided she was well enough to play.

"Maybe that wasn't the right decision," Jackman said. "I now know there is something going on and I'm going home immediately to find out what it is."

England physio Pauline Newton played down concerns that Jackman's problems might be connected to DVT. "My first reaction is that this isn't the same," Newton said.

"What happened last week was totally different and Cassie has always had some symptoms in her left leg but it will have to be assessed."

Kitchen took her chance well, volleying confidently against the lobs Jackman tossed up during a brief revival which carried her to 7-4 in the third game.

The 12th seed now faces Malaysia's former world junior champion Nicol David.

The 21-year-old sixth seed beat Britain's Alison Waters 10-8 7-9 9-2 10-8.

The favourite to come through the bottom half of the draw is Australian fourth seed Natalie Grinham, who won 9-7 9-4 9-1 against Stephanie Brind.

Grinham's elder sister Rachael Grinham, the top seed, reached the quarter-finals with a 9-1 9-0 7-9 9-5 win over Ireland's Madeline Perry.

- REUTERS