Squash: Youngster upsets in thriller

The seeds fell in key quarter-finals at the New Zealand squash championships in Palmerston North yesterday.

Sixteen-year-old Megan Craig, the 11th seed, upset the third seed Kylie Lindsay, of Matamata, in a five-game thriller.

Blenheim's Craig came from 1-2 down to win the last two games 12-10 and 13-11 for the best victory of her fledgling career, saying she was thrilled to beat a player more than 70 spots above her in the world rankings.

"That was my best win ever. I didn't expect to get in the top four at senior nationals," Craig said. "I played last year and I was 26th seed. It was pretty awesome. I was pleased because I was down in the fourth. The key was keeping my head and thinking about where I was putting it."

At the other end of the spectrum, experienced Aucklander George Crosby ended the run of second seed Josh Greenfield, of Palmerston North, in four games in the men's quarter-finals. Seventh-seeded Crosby beat Greenfield 11-6 11-6 7-11 12-10 to secure a semifinal spot for just the third time.

"I was happy. I haven't played him [Greenfield] for eight or nine years. I'm very happy to make the semifinals. The last time was back in 2002, so it's a fair while ago."

Sixth seed, Oliver Johnson of Dunedin, also upset proceedings when he accounted for Auckland third seed Graeme Wilson in four games.

The other quarter-finals went to script, with top seed Jaclyn Hawkes, second seed Joelle King and fourth seed Tamsyn Leevey safely through to the last four in the women's competition.

In the men's draw, top seed Kashif Shuja also qualified easily for the semifinals, while fifth seed and fellow Aucklander Alex Grayson progressed in straight games over fourth seed Evan Williams, of Wellington.