Simpson Shocks Shabana In El Gouna

Egypt's four-time World Champion Amr Shabana suffered a shock first round exit during the second day of action at the 2015 El Gouna International, falling to England's unseeded Chris Simpson in a topsy-turvy 57-minute encounter in the third PSA World Series squash event of the year.

The former world No.1 had cruised to an early two-game lead against Simpson, ranked 22 in the world, and looked odds on to seal a straightforward straight games victory. But the 34-year-old from Cairo then appeared to self-destruct, recording a catalogue of errors as Guernsey-born Simpson fought back and levelled the match.

The 28-year-old then held his nerve to complete the 5-11, 7-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-5 triumph and inflict Shabana's first PSA World Series first round defeat since the 2011 Qatar Classic.

"After the second game I thought that was going to be one of my worst ever defeats to him," said Simpson after his first win over the illustrious left-hander in six Tour meetings.

"But I'm not sure what even happened after that. I managed to get some long rallies in and he seemed to lose a bit of interest which worked in my favour and I'm incredibly happy to win that match.

"Amr has been my idol since I first started playing and it's very hard to get over the respect you have for someone like that and be competitive but I managed to do that and it's a strange feeling for me to get a win over him."

Simpson will now face compatriot James Willstrop, another former world No.1, in his second round encounter after the man from Pontefract came from one game down to see off South African Stephen Coppinger.

"James and I train together a lot and he's been No.1 before as well so it's two classy players one after the other for me," added Simpson.

"I'm going to recover tonight and do my best for tomorrow."

Elsewhere on day two of action, defending El Gouna International champion Ramy Ashour, the 2014 World Champion, survived a double scare against Marwan Elshorbagy, losing the opening game and suffering an initially potentially troublesome knee injury before surging through to a 3/1 win.

Ashour has not competed on the PSA World Tour since winning the World Championship in November - but is hoping to return to winning ways again in his home country.

"It's great to be here and playing in Egypt again," said Ashour. "It's a big deal for us and we're proud to have such a world class event taking place here and it's a just a privilege to be competing.

"Marwan is doing well at the minute and I knew it would be tough match. He gave me a hard game and I'm happy he pushed me that way.

"I was a little off at the start of the match. I'm coming back from a brutal period in my life with injuries and I'm fighting every day with myself and the injuries but I have been doing this all of my life and I will keep on pushing."