DOHA, Dec 4: England’s Nick Matthew, World No21, has taken his best scalp in the game so far by removing the world champion, David Palmer of Australia, from the quarterfinals of Qatar Squash Classic here.

Matthew, taking full advantage of Palmer’s problems with leg injuries, upset the third seeded Australian 11/15 17/16 15/12 15/8 in 72 minutes and will now play fellow countryman Lee Beachill in the top half semifinal.

Beachill, ninth seed, defeated top seeded World No1, Peter Nicol, his Commonmwealth Games doubles partner, 15/11 15/10 15/7 in 40 minutes.

The bottom half semifinal will feature Scotland’s second seeded John White against Thierry Lincou of France, fourth seed.

The women’s semifinals will feature all four top seeds in the semifinals, Carol Owens facing Fiona Geaves and Natalie Grainger taking on Cassie Jackman.

Results: Men’s quarterfinal

(9) Lee Beachill (Eng) bt (1) Peter Nicol (Eng) 15/11, 15/10, 15/7 (40m); Nick Matthew (Eng) bt (3) David Palmer (Aus) 11/15, 17/16, 15/12, 15/8 (72m); (4) Thierry Lincou (Fra) bt Adrian Grant (Eng) 15/11, 15/9, 15/6 (52m); (2) John White (Sco) bt Omar El Borolossy (Egy) 15/12, 15/9, 15/9 (38m)

Women’s quarterfinal:

(1) Carol Owens (Nzl) bt (13) Fiona Geaves (Eng) 9/4, 9/0, 9/3 (27m); (3) Rachael Grinham (Aus) bt (6) Vanessa Atkinson (Ned) 7/9, 9/6,9/0,6/9,9/3 (60m); (4) Cassie Jackman (Eng) bt (7) Natalie Grinham (Aus) 10/8, 7/9, 9/5, 9/2 (56m); (2) Natalie Grainger (Usa) bt Isabelle Stoehr (Fra) 9/4, 9/7, 0/9, 9/2 (40m).—PPI