Squash: Nicol survives as seeds tumble out

PETER NICOL, the world No 1, one was the sole seed to survive the quarter- finals as a series of upsets surrounded his progress into the last four of the Austrian Open in Linz yesterday.

Even the Scot had to fight for his place in the semis, coming from two games down to beat Alex Gough, the fifth-seeded Welsh No 1, 13-15, 8-15, 15-6, 15-9, 15-9.

The Australian world champion, Rodney Eyles, seeded No 2, went down in another five-game marathon, relinquishing a 2-1 lead to lose 15-12, 11- 15, 16-17, 15-5, 15-13 to the English world doubles champion, Mark Cairns, who was only in the draw as a lucky loser because Jansher Khan, of Pakistan, withdrew from the event at the last minute to seek advice from a knee specialist.