Egypt’s former World No 1 Karim Abdel Gawad beat Qatari No 1 Abdulla al-Tamimi 11-7, 7-11, 11-8, 11-7 to book his spot in the quarter-finals of the QTerminals Qatar Classic.
Gawad, the 2016 Qatar Classic champion, was in fine form at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex as he took the opening game, but al-Tamimi grew into the match in the second to draw level, much to delight of the home crowd.
However, Gawad was quickly able to get back on top in the third and took the next two games without reply to earn his last eight spot.
“The Qatari audience is very aware of good shots,” Gawad said after the match. “Abdulla was on fire today and he can hit winners out of nowhere, so it was hard to read him today. Thanks to the Qatari crowd who supported him but also cheered for my good shots. It will be a hard match, Mostafa is in good form and won the last two tournaments. I’m playing better squash now too and I’m moving better on court, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Gawad will play World No 2 Mostafa Asal next, with Asal making it 12 wins in a row after getting the better of World Junior Champion Mohamad Zakaria earlier in the day.
Asal won 11-6, 11-7, 11-3.