Sean Downie August 18, 2012
Some rotten luck and a brilliant display by Irishwoman Madeleine Perry ended Australia's women's title hopes at the Australian Open.
A freak ankle injury meant Donna Urquhart had to withdraw from her quarter-final against England's Laura Massaro yesterday.
Urquhart didn't even know she was carrying the injury, apparently caused during her match with Rachael Grinham on Thursday.
Australia's world No.18 was officially ruled out after undergoing a medical late last night. It was a cruel blow for Urquhart, who is in the best form of her career.
Meanwhile, 10-seeded Australian Kasey Brown was blown away in three games by Perry. The world No.5 won 11-4, 11-5, 11-6.
Brown was disappointed with the result but didn't think there was a lot she could have done. ''I don't think I played badly, she just didn't give me a chance to really hurt her at all,'' she said. ''Her length was perfect and she cut everything off - everything went her way.''
Perry, the 2010 champion, will meet world No.1 Nicol David in the semi-finals today. David accounted for world No.16 Alison Waters 10-12, 11-1, 11-7, 15-13.
Massaro faces Indian Dipika Pallikal, who is the only player outside the top five still in contention. The 15th-seeded Pallikal dispatched Amanda Sobhy of the United States 11-5, 11-7, 12-10.
In the men's competition, Tom Richards was too good for Alan Clyne, winning in straight sets 11-7, 11-6, 11-4 to set up a match against Omar Mosaad after he beat Ong Beng Hee 13-11, 11-5, 12-10.