KUALA LUMPUR: Asian champion Ng Eain Yow was stretched to the limit by world junior champion Mohamed Zakaria of Egypt before reaching the semi-finals of the US$75,000 China Open in Shanghai today (Nov 1).
The world 15th ranked Malaysian lost the first set 11-9 before winning 11-5, 11-9, 11-2 in a gruelling 64 minutes match.
The German Open winner will face either world No. 10 Marwan El Shorbagy of England or Mohamed Abouelghar of Egypt for a place in the final.
In the women's competition, world No. 9 S. Sivasangari reached the semi-finals by defeating seventh seed Georgia Adderley of Scotland 11-9, 11-9, 6-11, 11-9.
The second seeded Malaysian will take on world No. 15 and third seed Farida Mohamed of Egypt in the last four.
National chief coach Ajaz Azmat said that Eain Yow faced a strong challenge from Zakaria but he played well to win the match.
"The real challenge starts tomorrow for the duo to fight for a place in the final."