Locals continue to flourish in El Gouna!

Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) and Amr Shabana (EGY) took their time out to follow the video review on the player’s monitor (photo: Steve Cubbins, SquashSite)

Local interest in the El Gouna International remains high as former world number ones Amr Shabana (ri) and Ramy Ashour led four Egyptians through the 2nd day of 1st round action in the in the Red Sea resort of El Gouna.

Fifth seed, four-time world champion Shabana beat young compatriot Karim Abdel Gawad (le) 11-4, 11-9, 11-9 to secure his place in the next round.

Shabana progresses to meet another fellow countryman after Hisham Ashour came back from a game down to beat French qualifier Mathieu Castagnet 9-11, 11-8, 14-12, 11-9.

Later in the day, Hisham's younger brother Ramy Ashour came through 11-7, 11-9, 11-7 against his fellow former world junior champion Amr Khaled Khalifa.

England's 2 times world champion Nick Matthew, seeded 3, moved smoothly through with a comfortable 11-5, 11-5, 11-3 win over Egyptian qualifier Andrew Wagih Shoukry.

Further 1st round (lower half of draw):
Mohd Ali Anwar Reda (EGY) bt [Q] Wael Farag (EGY) 11-5, 11-6, 11-5 (32m)
Adrian Grant (ENG) bt Omar Mosaad (EGY) 9-11, 11-3, 5-11, 11-1, 11-3 (61m)
Simon Rosner (GER) bt Gregoire Marche (FRA) 10-12, 11-6, 12-14, 11-9, 11-6 (87m)
[2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt Marwan El Shorbagy (EGY) 11-4, 11-9, 11-2 (33m)