Australia's Anthony Ricketts caused a major upset at the Tournament of Champions squash tournament by defeating England's defending champion Peter Nicol to reach the semi-finals.

The New South Wales 10th seed beat Nicol, the world's most dominant player of recent years, 7-11 11-8 11-9 6-11 11-8 in 80 minutes.

Ricketts, still on the road back to full match fitness after missing much of last year through injury, will face a tough test in his bid to qualify for his first Tournament of Champions final when he takes on Egyptian ninth seed Amr Shabana in Saturday's semi-finals.

An all-Australian final is still on the cards following David Palmer's victory the previous evening to book a semi-final place against French world No.1 Thierry Lincou.

Nicol, after winning the first game, and with a big lead in the second, appeared to be in control of the match but Ricketts was just getting started.

"I felt that I was playing within myself and keeping a reserve," said the 25-year-old world No.11 from Sydney.

The fiery Australian stepped up his play and nabbed the second game 11-8. Again in the third, Nicol jumped out to a big lead but Ricketts came back to lead 2-1.

The three-time champion who occupied the No.1 spot in the game for 60 months since 1998 was unbowed and won the fourth game 11-5.

But Ricketts closed out the match 11-8 to avenge his defeat by Nicol in his last appearance in the event two years ago.

In the women's draw, Australia's top seed Rachael Grinham made short work of English seventh seed Jenny Tranfield - winning 9-0 9-3 9-5 - even though the world No.1 wasn't thrilled with her play.

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