The world number five's victory meant she ended a seven-match losing streak against the player who won the world title in 2017.

Serme, who won the Tournament of Champions in the same year, came from behind twice to prevail 13-15, 11-4, 7-11, 11-5, 11-6 at Grand Central Terminal.

It was a clash between two former winners as El Welily triumphed in New York in 2015.

"It's funny because today I was the challenger and she had the pressure," said Serme.

"It's kind of easier to play your best squash because you think you have nothing to lose. 

"You play free and I proved to myself that I can play those shots as well as they can do.

"It's the kind of match you want to enjoy, I'm playing the world number one here in Grand Central, it's going to be a great match. 

"Raneem is the fairest player on tour so you know it's going to be a clean and good match. 

"I just enjoyed it so much and it's not that often I beat Raneem, I think it's only the fourth time in my career."

Serme will meet another Egyptian in third seed Nouran Gohar in the last four, after her 11-6, 11-8, 11-7 win over England's 13th seed Alison Waters.

In the men's quarter-finals, Egypt's top seed Ali Farag knocked out New Zealand's fifth seed Paul Coll, the World Championship runner-up, in five games.

Coll battled back from 2-0 down but former world champion Farag got over the line 11-5, 11-8, 6-11, 5-11, 11-6.

"I started off really well," said Farag.

"The ball was quite bouncy, so I couldn't really go for those killing shots, I just had to move it around and try to dominate the T area which I think I did well for the first game and part of the second game."

Egypt's reigning world champion Tarek Momen, seeded fourth, enjoyed a more straightforward passage in his quarter-final as he saw off compatriot Mostafa Asal 11-8, 11-2, 11-5.

The event continues tomorrow.