Fassi added a second round of 71 to her course-record equalling 63 on day one to finish 10-under-par, with Karlsson returning a 68 at Emirates Golf Club.

South Africa's Lee-Ann Pace is a shot off the lead after an eventful 71 which included an attempted recovery shot on the par-5 16th which hit the edge of a cart path and rebounded behind her.

Pace did well to salvage a bogey six and finish nine-under, with Germany's Olivia Cowan and Thailand's Pajaree Anannarukarn another stroke back.

New South Wales' Stephanie Kyriacou is equal-17th on four-under after a 71 while West Australian Whitney Hillier is level-35th on one-over after a 72.