Elnawasany Stuns Top Seed ElShorbagy To Reach Canadian Open Semis

Egypt's Yahya Elnawasany staged an unbelievable comeback to eliminate the No.1 seed Marwan ElShorbagy in the quarter-finals of the AirSprint Private Aviation Canadian Open in Calgary.

In the opening match of the day, the No.7 seed booked his surprise place in the last four after beating his first top 10-ranked player on the PSA Squash Tour, winning 6-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-5.

ElShorbagy stormed out of the blocks in the opening game, taking a comfortable 5-0 lead against Elnawasany. Despite the attempts from the Egyptian to get back into the first, the world No.8 was able to keep Elnawasany at arm's length, winning 11-6.

Moving in the second game, 'The Jackal' would once again grow a healthy advantage over his opponent, taking control of the tie to lead 7-3. Surviving the early threats and challenges from Elnawasany, the No.1 seed claimed the second 11-7.

With a 2/0 lead, it looked as if the semi-final spot was secured for the English favourite, but his 24-year-old opponent had other ideas, as he began to dig deep, preventing ElShorbagy from growing a sizeable lead.

The world No.25 was able to battle hard in the third, sharing the opening 14 points of the game, with Elnawasany going on to claim the next four to win 11-7.

With momentum turning in favour of the No.7 seed, he was able to grind his way back into the contest, securing the fourth 11-7 - forcing his 32-year-old opponent into a fifth and final game.

In the decider, it seemed that the match was only going to go one way, with the Egyptian growing his lead to 9-4. The world No.25 would close out the game to secure a monumental victory and a place in the last four in Calgary.

Elnawasany said later: "I can't process it just yet, I am feeling over the moon. I can't put it into words, it was my first-ever win against a Top 10 player, and even a Top 8 player.

"I am happy with how I am progressing, and I am happy with how I am improving every day and improving over every tournament.

"I had to change some technical things as well as tactical things, and then it just clicked, he was leading in the third, and then it clicked, and I was able to hold on to it," he continued: "It is really, really special"

Elnawasany will now face Leonel Cardenas in the semi-final. The No.3 seed advanced to the last four after beating Adrian Waller in straight games, impressing the Calgary crowd with an inspiring and determined victory over the Englishman.

Despite Waller's best efforts throughout the contest, the Mexican was able to find a good balance between attack and defence, making life very difficult for his opponent to build any momentum, winning the match 11-6, 11-7, 11-6.

Elsewhere, world No.5 Victor Crouin was able to advance into the semi-finals, following an entertaining match against Miguel Rodriguez, winning in three games.

However, the scoreboard didn't reflect the full match, as Rodriguez and Crouin battled hard on court for 51 minutes, with the Colombian maintaining constant pressure on his opponent.

Nonetheless, Crouin was able to overcome the hurdle of the No.5 seed, who sustained an injury late into the third game, to reach tomorrow's semi-final where he will play No.6 seed Juan Vargas.

Vargas, who will be seeking revenge for his fellow countryman, reached the semi-finals after a dramatic straight-game upset over fourth seed Greg Lobban. Despite winning in three games, the Colombian had to come back on two separate occasions to get the best of the Scot.

In the opening game, Lobban held a 9-4 advantage, forcing the No.6 seed to dig deep to secure the next seven points, winning 11-9. With the wind in his sails, Vargas was able to continue this winning form into the second, blowing his opponent away, winning 11-1.

This dominance would not be repeated in the third, as Lobban would push the world No.31 to the limit, being rewarded with a 10-7 lead - and with three game balls, it looked like the contest would go to a fourth game.

However, Vargas, who had already shown his comeback ability in the match, was able to round off an incredible performance. The Colombian was able to recover the three match balls, sending the game to a tie-break, before winning the next two points to clinch the match 3/0.