Dessouki Despatches Dark Prince In British Open Upset

Egyptian qualifier Fares Dessouki will compete in the quarter-finals of a PSA World Series event for the first time in his career after he pulled off arguably the biggest upset of the tournament so far to take out compatriot Karim Darwish, the world No9, in five games at the 2014 Allam British Open.

Dessouki, the 19-year-old world No55, was a late entry into the competition as the beneficiary of Tom Richards's withdrawal due to injury - but the youngster showed no sign of nerves as stunned his experienced compatriot, racing into an early 2/0 lead before holding on to eek out a win despite a late surge from the former world No1.

Dessouki will now face three-time British Open champion and current World Champion Nick Matthew in Friday's quarter-finals after the Englishman came through a testing encounter with compatriot Daryl Selby.

"This is the biggest win in my career," said Dessouki.

"To beat a legend like Karim Darwish is huge. I dreamed of these moments when I was young and I'm very happy that it has happened.

"My focus was up and down in the fifth game and I was very lucky because he is a player who can finish a match from any situation so I'm very happy with this win."

Matthew, who disposed another Englishman, Joe Lee, in the first round on Monday, remains on course to win the prestigious 'Wimbledon of Squash' for the fourth time - a win which would see him equal the achievement of David Palmer, Azam Khan and Mahmoud Karim.

"It was a huge relief to get the win tonight," said Matthew following the 76-minute battle.

"It was a bit of a topsy-turvy match. We normally have very attritional matches but it was a dead court today and we both adapted and fortunately I got the better start in the fifth game and just saw it through."