Raphael Kandra of Germany pulled off a stunning win over fourth seed Marwan ElShorbagy to reach the quarter-finals of the Qatar QTerminals Classic in Doha on Tuesday.
Besides Kandra, others who advanced into the last eight stage of the PSA Tour Platinum event were World No.8 Diego Elias of Peru, Joel Makin of Wales and World No.13 Mazen Hesham of Egypt.
Kandra giant-killing act in Qatar on Tuesday will mean that he will be playing his first quarterfinals in Doha and his first major PSA quarter final since the 2018 British Open.
Elias challenge awaits the German in the last-eight clash.
The World No.22 from Paderborn is not new to Marwan having inflicted a similar shock 11-7, 11-13, 6-11, 13-11, 11-6 defeat on the Egyptian three years back at the British Open while making his way to the semi-finals as a qualifier.
Once again in Doha, the 30-year-old came up with a display full of grit and endeavour as he claimed a stunning 12-14, 11-3, 10-12, 11-5, 11-7 victory sending Marwan to a shock defeat.
Going into the match, Marwan was a hot favouritie having won five of their previous six matches, with Kandra’s sole victory coming during a stunning run to the semi finals of the 2018 British Open.
“I feel a little shaky because we’ve had so many matches like this when I’ve been leading, he’s been leading, and it’s always quick-fire squash against him,” Kandra said after the match
“You don’t get any time to relax. I think I need to settle a little bit to realise I am in the quarter finals of the Qatar Classic, it means a lot to me.
“I’ve been working for such a long time on the steps to make not only the last 16, to make the last eight, which is a big difference.
“I have a good plan to play him and I want to show that on the court. I’m feeling comfortable here in Qatar, so I hope I can continue feeling like that.”
Earlier, Hesham reached the quarterfinals following a 3-2 victory over compatriot Youssef Ibrahim.
Ibrahim came into the match off the back of a superb win over top seed Mohamed ElShorbagy could not maintain the same tempo and lost the five-game encounter 9-11, 11-4, 11-13, 11-6, 11-8
Hesham will now take on No.8 seed Makin for a place in the semi finals.
The Welshman put in an assured display to see off the dangerous Englishman Patrick Rooney and make it to the next stage.
Makin nullified Rooney’s spirited effort which saw him triumph by an 11-5, 11-5, 11-8 scoreline.
Elsewhere, Peruvian Elias came back from two games down to avoid a third round exit at the hands of Frenchman Gregoire Marche, winning 5-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-4.
