Smith Advances To Maiden Bronze Quarter-Final In Qatar

England's world No.74 Ben Smith battled into the quarter-finals of a PSA Squash Tour Bronze event for the first time after upsetting fellow countryman George Parker in five games in the QSF 5 Open in the Qatar capital Doha.

The 22-year-old, who was two games up against the tournament's No.6 seed Parker, was finding the back corners well as he moved into a commanding position before being pegged back to two-all by the world No.45.

However, Smith was able to recompose himself in the fifth, despite seeing a number of match balls saved, to secure his maiden appearance in the last eight of a Bronze event.

"It feels great to get to my first quarter-final at a PSA [Squash Tour] event," said Smith afterwards.

"Me and George know each other well and to beat a player like him is a good feeling.

"It means a lot. I just need to keep pushing now and I can't wait for tomorrow."

Smith's quarter-final opponent and home favourite Abdulla Mohd Al-Tamimi booked his place in the last eight with a 3/0 success over Emyr Evans.

Welshman Evans took the game to Al-Tamimi, with the Qatari edging a tiebreak in the opening game 13-11, before the world No.27 claimed 11-4, 11-6 wins in the ensuing games to progress to the quarter-finals.