Arnold Axes Hansen in Women’s Australian Open

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Number four seed Delia Arnold came up with a stunning comeback in the quarter-final of the Australian Open, PSA W25 tournament to eliminate Line Hansen and advance through to the last four.

The Malaysian was up against it from the outset as the experienced Hansen, who reached the final of the Victorian Open last week, shot into a commanding 2-0 lead.

Arnold responded well to the pressure though and fought back to draw level to send the match into a dramatic fifth game which, after a long and bruising battle, went to Arnold courtesy of a tense tie-break.

The World No.17 will look forward to an intriguing match-up next with second seed Joelle King who defeated Australian No.2 Donna Urquhart and Annie Au will also make her presence felt at the semi-final stage after a barnstorming victory over Joshana Chinappa.

The Indian National Champion was on the hunt for back-to-back PSA World Tour titles but was stopped in her tracks by a dominant Au. Home favourite Rachael Grinham awaits her in the next round after the former World Champion dispatched Au’s compatriot Joey Chan in straight games.

Results – Quarter-Final: Australian Open 2015
[1] Annie Au (HKG) bt [6] Joshana Chinappa (IND) 3-0: 11-7, 11-4, 11-8
[3] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [7] Joey Chan (HKG) 3-0: 11-9, 11-6, 13-11
[4] Delia Arnold (MAS) bt [5] Line Hansen (DEN) 3-2: 9-11, 7-11, 11-4, 11-8 12-10
[2] Joelle King (NZL) bt [8] Donna Urquhart (AUS) 3-1: 11-4, 7-11, 12-10, 12-10

Draw – Semi-Final
[1] Annie Au (HKG) v [3] Rachael Grinham (AUS)
[4] Delia Arnold (MAS) v [2] Joelle King (NZL)