DOHA, Qatar, Nov 16 — Fares Dessouki, the brilliant 20-year-old Egyptian who some influential critics believe can become a future world number one, upset the seedings today to reach the third round of the World Squash Open.

Dessouki beat Marwan El Shorbagy, a fellow Alexandrian, 11-9 11-2, 11-9, producing an eye-catching performance that highlighted his fluid movement and complete, well-balanced game.

Only briefly, when the 13th seeded El Shorbagy got to 6-4 in the third game, was Dessouki headed, which made it hard to believe that he had lost their only previous meeting in straight games.

“I was really, really nervous,” Desouki admitted. “We are friends so it is difficult for both of us. But I was trying to control it and to focus.

“He is dangerous and tricky so I needed to do that. I am really hoping to play my best squash this week.”

If he does, Dessouki is probably capable of further upsets. One of those who believes the young man is destined for great things is the Egyptian head coach, Omar El Borolossy, who predicts Dessouki will top the world rankings by 2018.

“He is mature enough to reach his full potential by then, and he is capable of going all the way to the top,” El Borolossy said.

Dessouki’s next hurdle, according to the form book, should be Borja Golan, the athletic sixth-seeded Spaniard, who was due to play a surprise survivor, Greg Lobban, a Scottish qualifier.

El Shorbagy meanwhile may reflect that he lost to a dangerously emerging player and can concentrate on helping his elder brother, Mohamed El Shorbagy, the world number one, win the World Open for the first time. Mohamed will play India’s Mahesh Mangaonkar tomorrow.

Earlier, another seed, Mathieu Castagnet, also went out. The 16th seeded Frenchman was beaten 11-6, 11-5, 8-11, 9-11, 11-4 by Alister Walker, a former England international who now represents Botswana.

This result was not entirely surprising as not so long ago Walker had reached a career-high world number 12, and his movement was clearly superior in the fifth game despite having lost a two-game lead. — AFP