Just 24 hours after wife Veronika gave birth to the couple’s second son, Gaultier registered an 11-6, 11-5, 11-4 win after 44 minutes at the English city's Central Convention Complex.

It is the ninth time in the Frenchman's career that he has reached the last four.

"With my wife giving birth yesterday I have been a bit tense so it has been difficult to concentrate and think straight," Gaultier, who has yet to drop a game in the tournament, said.

"The past few months have been tough, but at the end of the day I’ve played for 30 years so I know I can turn it on when needed.

"My great team around me do everything to make me feel good, but you’re the one responsible and you’re the one who has to do the job.

"I’m taking it one game at a time, so I don’t want to think about the trophy or the final because when I did that in the past that’s when I fail.

"Now we have entered the later rounds anyone can win so I need to stay focused."

Awaiting Gaultier in the semi-finals is Egypt's Mohamed Elshorbagy after the third seed brought an end to England's Nick Matthews last-ever World Championships with an 11-7, 11-6, 5-11, 11-6 win.

Three-time world champion Matthew announced in September his decision to retire at the end of the season.

The 37-year-old was the only English player left standing across both the men's and women's draws.

World number two Elshorbagy, who improved his head-to-head record over Matthew to 14-9, is due to meet Gaultier in the semi-finals on Saturday (December 16).

Two-time reigning world champion Nour El Sherbini became the first woman to book her place in the semi-finals after beating fellow Egyptian Nouran Gohar 11-7, 11-3, 11-4 in just 30 minutes.

Victory moves the current world number one to within a single win of a third successive World Championship final.

"I think it is very hard to play against someone that you are so used to playing against," El Sherbini, who like Gaultier is yet to drop a game all tournament, said.

"You know she makes a plan based on the last match.

"It's hard to play players so close together because it makes it hard to change game plans. 

"I try to mix the pace with her a lot.

"It’s always like a game of chess. 

"You always try to change your tactics and mix it up and guess what they're thinking.

"There’s no pressure on me - I'm approaching it like a normal tournament."

Next up for El Sherbini is compatriot Nour El Tayeb, who defeated Wales' Tesni Evans 11-9, 11-7, 11-9 to reach the semi-finals for the first time.

Evans upset 2013 world champion Laura Massaro of England in the previous round, but was no match for the US Open winner today.

The remaining men's and women's quarter-finals are scheduled to take place tomorrow.