Mighty Max Shocks Darwish At Canary Wharf

Max Lee, a qualifier from Hong Kong, pulled off an astonishing upset in the first round of the Canary Wharf Classic, recording an emphatic straight games victory over No4 seed Karim Darwish, the world No1 from Egypt.

The 26-year-old world No33, who earned his berth in the first round of the PSA International 50 squash event after progressing through two qualifying rounds, delighted the packed house at London's spectacular East Wintergarden as his attacking approach saw him complete a dramatic and tense 11-8, 13-11, 19-17 win.

Lee, who reached a career-high world No30 ranking in 2012, produced some of his best squash in recent years to open up a one-game lead in just eight minutes and he then showed his steel to see out two tie-breaks and earn the victory.

"I had nothing to lose so I had no fear to play him," said Lee. "I have played him since I was 22 and he has beaten me quite a few times.

"He is one of the best players in the world but I have learnt from every match against him and I've watched his recent matches to find some areas where I could attack.

"I just tried to get to the ball early and try and be positive. It can be a fear to attack against the top players but it's an awesome feeling to win and I'm very happy."

Having previously failed to reach the main draw at any PSA World Tour event in 2014, Lee will now take on world No14 Miguel Angel Rodriguez after the Colombian beat London's Adrian Grant, ranked 20 in the world.

"Miguel and I train together so we know each other very well," said Lee.

"We are similar players and I think we have some of the same strong points so I have to get focused and prepared but I'm ready for it."

England's world No1 and current world champion Nick Matthew eased through his opening match-up, taking just 39 minutes to see off Scotland's Alan Clyne 3/0.

Matthew, who will be hoping to add to the Canary Wharf titles he won in 2010, 2011 and 2013, was at his aggressive, attritional best to pull off the 11-6, 11-7, 11-5 victory.

"Alan seemed to have his best patches at the end of each game so it was lucky that I got a good start in each game to help see me through," said Yorkshireman Matthew.

"He plays at a fast pace and is very tenacious so I'm happy to get that win."

In the day's final match-up, Egypt's world No11 Omar Mosaad beat compatriot Karim Abdel Gawad 3/1 to book his place against Matthew in the quarter-finals.