The 1st four matches of the 2nd round at the El Gouna International Open showed very different action. While Egyptian world No1 Ramy Ashour and his compatriot Karim Abdel Gawad had more problems with the slippery court-floor than with their opponent, all other matches have been escaped from the humid conditions. After several brakes Ashour overcame Gawad in straight games. In the battle of the two surprising 2nd-rounders Omar Mosaad (EGY) and Farhan Mehboob (PAK), the Egyptian was able to stay on top after 95 minutes high-class action (12-10, 9-11, 11-6, 5-11, 11-6). French star Greg Gaultier came back from one game down to beat young Egyptian Mohamed El Shorbagy in a 78 minutes encounter (11-13, 11-6, 11-5, 12-10). England’s 5th seed James Willstrop did not face any problems to pass Mohd Ali Anwar Reda from Egypt 11-6, 11-3, 11-8.
