Paul Drinkhall picked up two brilliant victories today to move into the semi-finals of the WTT Feeder Dusseldorf.

Drinkhall earned his last-four spot with a four-game victory over Youssef Abdel-Aziz of Egypt. His opponent is ranked No 616 in the world but has picked up some eye-catching results in this tournament, including defeating third seed Yaroslav Zhmudenko of Ukraine (WR 60).

Sixth seed Drinkhall generally had too much class for his left-handed opponent, taking the first 11-7 and forcing an early timeout from Abdel-Aziz, who took it while leading 6-5 in the second, Drinkhall having closed from 6-3.

Abdel-Aziz was able to stay in front in taking that game 11-8, but was largely held at arm’s length from then on, Drinkhall claiming the third 11-7 and then winning five points on the spin from 6-6 in the fourth to seal his victory.

He will face Martin Allegro (WR 105) of Belgium in the semi-finals at 10.45am UK time on Friday on Table 1. Watch on the WTT YouTube channel.

Earlier, Drinkhall held off a late rally by France’s Jules Rolland in the last 16. It was another five-game match for Drinkhall after his opening triumph over Deni Kozul. He led the first 9-8 only to lose it 11-9, but hit back by the same margin in the second.

Rolland picked up the third 11-8 but Drinkhall again levelled and the Englishman made the best start in the decider, pulling out a 9-4 lead.

That was in danger of evaporating as Rolland (WR 130) reeled off a succession of points either side of a Drinkhall timeout, but from 9-8, Drinkhall brought up two match points and took the second of them to move into the last eight.

Result

Men’s Singles
Round of 16
Paul Drinkhall bt Jules Rolland (FRA) 3-2 (9-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9)

Quarter-finals
Drinkhall bt Youssef Abdel-Aziz (EGY) 3-1 (11-7, 8-11, 11-7, 11-6)