(8) Tarek Momen (Egypt) beat Chris Gordon (USA) 11-9, 11-7, 10-12, 19-21, 11-5 (85 mins).
Tarek Momen clinched a second round clash with No.2 seed Nick Matthew after overcoming a phenomenal fightback from American Chris Gordon.
With Momen leading by two games to love, and seemingly in control, Gordon stepped up the pace, improved his accuracy and reduced his error count.
He won the third 12-10 and saved five match balls in an astonishing fourth game before winning it 21-19.
It was raw, compelling drama all the way through.
A passionate crowd at the Westwood Club cheered every rally Gordon won but Momen stuck to his task in the fifth and powered home 11-5 after 85 minutes of superb sporting entertainment.
We need American television executives, and every IOC official in the States, to see a tape of this match to understand the excitement and energy that squash can bring to the TV screen and the Olympic Games.
After the match a relieved Momen said; "I played Chris here six years ago and that was a 3-2, and that was at the back of my mind the whole time.
"Chris kept coming back and played a great match.
"Plus, he had the support of a fantastic home crowd, and I just hope they can cheer for me tomorrow against Nick Matthew."
Gordon, who said he had stumbled around the court like a primate during his qualifying final victory against Zac Alexander, added; "I feel I may have evolved a little over the past two days. I
"It was a very special occasion, playing on the glass court in a major world tournament here on American soil, and the crowd were simply amazing.
"Tarek is a superb squash player, but from my point of view I think I played well and felt that I deserved to be here."
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