Qualifier Syed Hamzah Shah Bukhari and unseeded Tayyab Aslam won their respective quarterfinal matches and secured their unexpected place in Phoenix Open - PSA World Tour Challenger 10 squash event at Life Time Fitness in Tempe in the US state of Arizona. Hamzah, who took the scalp of second seeded compatriot Farhan Zaman in the first round, put another impressive show beating Englishman Robert Downer in straight sets registering a convincing 11-3, 11-9, 11-8 victory to secure his place in the semifinals.
Hamzah will now face Canadian qualifier Nick Sachvie, who defeated unseeded Aqib Hanif by 11-9, 11-5, 11-8 score. Meanwhile, Tayyab Aslam found stiff resistance from compatriot Shahjahan Khan in the other quarterfinal encounter before he recorded a 12-10, 5-11, 8-11, 11-9, 12-10 after a marathon 115-minute see-saw battle. Tayyab will now take on favourite Rex Hendrick of Australia. Hendrick defeated Egyptian Mohammad Elshirbini by 11-9, 11-7, 11-5 scores to confirm his expected place in the semifinals.