Hong Kong: There will be unexpected Indian interest in the semi-finals of the Crocodile Challenge Cup in Hong Kong after Harinder Pal Sandhu beat fourth-seeded Australian Matthew Karwalski in quarter-finals of the PSA World Tour Challenger 15 squash event in its eighth year at the Hong Kong Squash Centre.
In his first ever meeting with world No59 Karwalski, the 23-year-old from Chennai - ranked almost 50 places lower - won 11-6, 5-11, 11-6, 11-9 to earn a clash with fellow non-seed Mazen Hesham Ga Sabry.
Egyptian Sabry also took four games to earn his semi-final berth, beating Malaysian Elvinn Keo 12-10, 11-6, 7-11, 11-9.
Local interest will be led by Max Lee, the top seed from Hong Kong who outmatched fellow countryman Dick Lau 11-5, 7-11, 11-5, 11-5.
World No30 Lee's hopes of meeting another Hong Kong rival in the next round were thwarted by Campbell Grayson after the third seed from New Zealand beat Hong Kong number two Leo Au 11-6, 11-5, 8-11, 11-7.
Quarter-finals:
[1] Max Lee (HKG) bt Dick Lau (HKG) 11-5, 7-11, 11-5, 11-5
[3] Campbell Grayson (NZL) bt Leo Au (HKG) 11-6, 11-5, 8-11, 11-7
Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND) bt [4] Matthew Karwalski (AUS) 11-6, 5-11, 11-6, 11-9
Mazen Hesham Ga Sabry (EGY) bt Elvinn Keo (MAS) 12-10, 11-6, 7-11, 11-9.
