Former world champion Nicol David beaten at Al Ahram Squash Open by England's Sarah-Jane Perry

Playing in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza, Perry produced a stunning performance, coming from 2-1 down to win a gritty five-game battle and record her first victory over the Malaysian.

“I don’t know what to say,” said Perry afterwards. “She’s such a fierce competitor. I was up in last game and I had to play some ridiculous squash to beat her.

“Nicol never stops – I’ve had lots of game balls against her before and lost them all, so I knew I had to keep focusing until the end because it’s never over against her.

“Then at the end I got a bit emotional because it was a big win for me. It’s the result of a lot of hard work paying off and also my first win against her. I didn’t feel my best today but I made myself put everything into it.”

Perry will now face Raneem El Welily for a place in the title decider after the Egyptian ended the charge of American Amanda Sobhy in a rapid fire four-game encounter.

In the Men’s draw, Omar Mosaad ended the run of tournament lucky loser Zahed Mohamed while Karim Abdel Gawad produced a scintillating performance to defeat Tarek Momen 3-0.

Al Ahram Squash Open NewGiza – Women’s Quarter-final Results:
[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [6] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) 3-0: 11-1, 11-4, 11-8 (23m)
[WC] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) bt [8] Alison Waters (ENG) 3-2: 11-6, 11-6, 11-13, 12-14, 11-8 (83m)
[3] Raneem El Welily (EGY) bt [7] Amanda Sobhy (USA) 3-1: 11-9, 4-11, 11-6, 11-3 (35m)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) bt [2] Nicol David (MAS) 3-2: 11-9, 3-11, 4-11, 11-8, 11-9 (61m)

Women’s Semi-final Draw:
[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v [WC] Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
[3] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)

Al Ahram Squash Open NewGiza – Men’s Quarter-final Results:
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bt [6] Simon Rцsner (GER) 3-2: 5-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-6, 11-5 (66m)
[4] Ali Farag (EGY) bt [7] Ramy Ashour (EGY) 3-0: 6-5 retired (15m)
[3] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [5] Tarek Momen (EGY) 3-0: 11-5, 11-4, 11-6 (41m)
[2] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt [LL] Zahed Mohamed (EGY) 3-0: 11-2, 13-11, 11-9 (57m)

Men’s Semi-final Draw:
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) v [4] Ali Farag (EGY)
[3] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v [2] Omar Mosaad (EGY)