Reaching quarters in Qatar a huge boost for Rachel

PETALING JAYA: Rachel Arnold (pic) secured a big boost ahead of next week’s Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after earning her first Platinum-level quarter-final appearance.

Rachel stunned world No. 3 Nour El Sherbini of Egypt to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Qatar Classic on Monday, winning 9-11, 11-7, 11-8, 12-10 in 43 minutes.

Before the match, Rachel had never won a game against the eight-time world champion in tournaments.

Rachel, ranked 25th in the world, will play England’s Jasmine Hutton for a place in the semi-finals.

The 30-year-old Rachel said it feels amazing.

“I think I have never beaten a world top 10 player, or maybe top five before.

“I woke up today, feeling great, really happy. I think I have belief in myself the whole time,’’ she said.

“I just had to stay consistent with my game and stick with it. I was telling myself not to lose the lead. I tend to do that a lot as well, so I’m pretty happy that in the end I did well to win.”