Cuskelly on cusp of career-best result

Australian Ryan Cuskelly has celebrated his escalation into the world top 20 by winning his way into the quarter finals of squash's Qatar Open.

The 28-year-old has been one of the form players on the world tour this season, further underlining his rapid rise up the international rankings with a straight games win over England's Chris Simpson on Monday night in Doha.

Last week Cuskelly recorded the biggest win of his career, winning the $35,000 Bluenose Classic in Canada, which helped him rise to his highest ever world ranking of 20.

He had to win his way through qualifying to make the main draw of the $150,000 Qatar tournament and celebrated with a win over world number nine, Frenchman Mathieu Castagnet, in the opening round.

His win over England's Simpson was even more emphatic, 11-4 11-6 11-7.

"I maybe didn't have the confidence before that I could beat anyone in the world and I've had a few good wins and results in big tournament so I've got that belief now," Cuskelly said.

"There was a time when I was stuck at 40 in the world for nine years or so and I thought maybe I wouldn't actually make it.

"But I stuck in and worked really hard and the last six months have been really good.

"I've been really aggressive in my training and matches and it's been paying off."

Cuskelly, who is the only Australian left in the men's draw after world number 19 Cameron Pilley had a first round loss, will now meet Colombian world number five Miguel Angel Rodriguez in the quarter finals.

"I can't believe I'm there," he said.

"I've been coming here for a few years and I've always watched the quarters and the semis, so to be part of it now is awesome."