Defending champion Karim Darwish won't be able to stay on course for a third consecutive final after losing to Frenchman Gregory Gaultier in straight games 11/8, 11/4 and 11/1 in the 2011 Qatar classic semi-finals on Thursday. Sixth seed Gregory Gaultier produced one of his finest ever performances and dominated Darwish, world number three, who was the top favourite to claim this year's title. It is a major disappointment for the Egyptian delegation who totally dominated last year's showdown with an all Egyptian final that saw Darwish beating Amr Shabana. Gaultier will play the winner between James Willstrop and Stewart Boswell in the final tomorrow. In the women contest Madeleine Perry world number four from Ireland had to fight for 61 minutes to beat Egyptian Nour El-Tayeb, the world number 13, 11/9, 19/17, 11/9. “I don't think I played badly today but she is the one that played better on the crucial points and deserved to win. I think I didn't have as much experience as she has, but I've learnt so much in this tournament,” El-Tayeb said after the game. Perry will have a huge challenge when she'll play world number one Nicol David in the final.
