The world number 14 achieved one of the surprise results of the season after coming from 2-1 behind to beat the Malaysian, 11-9, 3-11, 4-11, 11-8, 11-9.

It means she has booked a semi-final date with Egypt's former world finalist Raneem El Welily at the tournament, which is played at a dramatic location at the foot of the Great Pyramid in Giza.

"I don't know what to say," said Perry.

"She's such a fierce competitor.

"I was up in last game and I had to play some ridiculous squash to beat her.

"Nicol never stops - I've had lots of game balls against her before and lost them all, so I knew I had to keep focusing until the end because it's never over against her."

Perry added: "Then at the end I got a bit emotional because it was a big win for me. 

"It's the result of a lot of hard work paying off and also my first win against her. 

"I didn't feel my best today but I made myself put everything into it.

"If you told me pre-event I'd make the semis I wouldn't have known what to say - it's all a bit of a blur to be honest."

El Welily booked her place in the last four with victory over American Amanda Sobhy, 11-9, 4-11, 11-6, 11-3.

World champion Nour El Sherbini is due to play fellow Egyptian Nour El Tayeb in the other semi-final after both won their last eight clashes yesterday.

In the men's semi-finals all four participants will be Egyptian, with Omar Mosaad beating team-mate Zahed Mohamed 11-2, 13-11, 11-9 today to progress.

That booked a place with Karim Abdel Gawad, who was a 11-5, 11-4, 11-6 winner over compatriot Tarek Momen.

Yesterday's winners - world number one Mohamed Elshorbagy and Ali Farag - will meet in the other semi-final.