Unseeded Australian Steve Finitsis continued his giant-killing run in a day of upsets in the Five Star Finance Auckland Squash Open, earning a straight games victory in his men's quarter-final against eighth-seeded compatriot Aaron Frankcomb at the North Shore Squash Club in Takapuna, New Zealand.

The 23-year-old from Innisfail, who removed second seed Timothy Manning in the first round, dismissed Frankcomb 11-7, 11-9, 11-9 to set up a semi-final clash with a third Australian Mike Corren, the third seed.

Australia's No7 seed Jason Mudge also claimed an upset, winning in three games against fourth seed Wai Hang Wong from Hong Kong.

No such drama for top seed Jonathan Kemp from England, who proved too good for New Zealand's Kashif Shuja, beating the fifth seed 11-5 11-4 11-6.

In the women's draw, kiwi qualifier Joelle King surprised Malaysia's No7 seed Delia Arnold in the opening round, edging home in a five-game thriller.  Not to be outdone, Australian qualifier Peta Hughes is also through to the quarter-finals, after beating sixth-seeded compatriot Lisa Camilleri 9-0 in the fifth.

Top seed Shelley Kitchen and second-seeded fellow kiwi Jaclyn Hawkes have had the most convincing wins of the day, both taking just 24 minutes to win through to the last eight.

RESULTS:        Five Star Finance Auckland Squash Open, Takapuna, New Zealand 

Men's quarter-finals:
[1] Jonathan Kemp (ENG) bt [5] Kashif Shuja (NZL)                   11-5, 11-4, 11-6 (31m)
[7] Jason Mudge (AUS) bt [4] Wai Hang Wong (HKG)                11-6, 11-6, 11-10 (2-0) (45m)
[3] Mike Corren (AUS) bt [6] Simon Carruthers (AUS)               11-7, 11-3, 11-7 (35m)
Steve Finitsis (AUS) bt [8] Aaron Frankcomb (AUS)                  11-7, 11-9, 11-9 (52m)

Women's 1st round:
[1] Shelley Kitchen (NZL) bt Mami Nishio (JPN)                         9-1, 9-1, 9-3 (24m)
[Q] Joelle King (NZL) bt [7] Delia Arnold (MAS)                       9-3, 4-9, 6-9, 9-6, 9-3 (56m)
[3] Dianne Desira (AUS) bt Chinatsu Matsui (JPN)                     10-9, 9-6, 9-2 (52m)
[8] Lim Yoke Wah (MAS) bt [Q] Sachiko Shinta (JPN)               9-0, 9-5, 9-1 (37m)
[5] Louise Crome (NZL) bt Donna Urquhart (AUS)                      10-8, 9-5, 9-1 (30m)
[4] Orla Noom (NED) bt [Q] Rachel Smith (AUS)                        10-8, 9-6, 9-5 (40m)
[Q] Peta Hughes (AUS) bt [6] Lisa Camilleri (AUS)                    3-9, 7-9, 9-2, 9-2, 9-0 (51m)
[2] Jaclyn Hawkes (NZL) bt Elise Ng (HKG)                              9-2, 9-0, 9-1 (24m)