Egyptian player Ramy Ashour (Photo: Ahram)
Squash world number five Rami Ashour defeated French player Gregory Gaultier 3-2 (12-10,10-12,11-6, 9-11, 11-3) on Wednesday to qualify for the Qatar PSA World Championship semi-finals.
The Egyptian player fought fiercely against a resilient Gaultier (3) to decide the game in his favour in 92 minutes.
Mohamed El-Shorbagy (8) made his first appearance in World Championship semis following to 3-0 (11-9, 12-10, 11-9) win over compatriot Karim Darwish (4).
"I am out of words right now. I am in the semis of the world," El-Shorbagy told the tournament’s official website after the game.
"I have so much respect for Karim. When I was a junior, he helped me. He got on court with me; all the generation — Karim, Shabana — they mean a lot to me, and to beat such a player, and 3/0 as well, is just unbelievable," he added.
Four-time world champion Amr Shabana (7) was eliminated from the World Tournament following to a 3-1 loss to defending champion Nick Matthew (2).
In Thursday's semis, El-Shorbagy will meet world number one James Willstrop who thrashed Borja Golan 3-0 in the quarters. Ashour will take on Nick Matthew.
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