Marche Makes It Three For France In World Championship Last 16

For the first time in 12 years, there will be three Frenchmen competing in the third round of the Men's PSA World Squash Championship after unseeded Gregoire Marche upset South African Stephen Coppinger to join compatriots Gregory Gaultier and Mathieu Castagnet in the closing stages of the sport's premier event in Bellevue, Washington, USA.

The 25-year-old world No.36 recorded one of the biggest wins of his career to overcome world No.15 Coppinger after a gruelling 88-minute battle at the Meydenbauer Centre to make the last 16 for the first time in his career.

"I have been waiting a long time for this kind of significant victory and what a time to do it, here at the biggest tournament," said Marche.

"I arrived here in a poor shape and feeling a bit sick and struggling with jetlag. But today I was feeling really good on the court thanks to the work the French team here have down with me this tournament.

"I started really poorly today but I'm quite proud of the way I dealt with it and managed to come back. I just focused on the job to be done and did it so I'm pleased."

Marche will now face Tarek Momen after the Egyptian ended the surge of Peruvian Diego Elias on the eve of the World Junior Champion's 19th birthday.

Egypt's 2014 World Champion Ramy Ashour continued the defence of his crown with a polished victory over fellow countryman Mohamed Abouelghar.

Ashour took just 37 minutes to overcome the 22-year-old in straight games on a day that also saw England's world No.2 Nick Matthew move comfortably into the next round with victory over Karim El Hammamy.

On a great day for North African squash, Egyptian trio Omar Mosaad, Marwan Elshorbagy and Karim Abdel Gawad also triumphed.

"I'm pleased with the way I played today and hopefully I can just keep it going now," said Ashour.

"Mohamed is not an easy guy to play - he just goes for his shots and tries to do something different with every shot, which reminds me of someone I know! He's a very good player and a guy who will be top ten soon and he made me earn my points but it's good to have those kind of matches."

Ashour moves on the face Karim Abdel Gawad - his third successive Egyptian opponent.

World Championship image courtesy of www.squashpics.com