World number one El Shorbagy headed into his match against fellow Egyptian Ali Farag without having dropped a game in the tournament but remained wary after his rival had triumphed at their most recent meeting in September.

The top seed won the first game 11-8 and then took further control by racing into a 7-1 advantage in the second.

El Shorbagy went on to seal the two game lead and, while Farag battled valiantly in an effort to get back into the tie, he ultimately fell to a 11-8, 11-5, 11-8 defeat.

"In the last match he was the better player, I raise my hands to that and I won't give myself any excuses," said El Shorbagy.

"I worked on a few things and after I did that I felt I got a bit better, I felt sharp and I'm really happy I got to the semis because it was a big match for me mentally today.

"Winning the first game gave me a huge advantage.

"I think if he had won the first game it would have given him a huge advantage as well.

"I'm just really happy I'm into the semis, especially in Egypt and I'm looking forward to my next match, I'll enjoy it and I'll focus."

El Shorbagy will hope to record a third consecutive victory over a fellow Egyptian at the tournament as he seeks to earn the first world title of his career.

He is due to meet world number three Gawad, who eliminated the ailing Nick Matthew of England in their quarter-final match.

Matthew, a three-time winner of the tournament, was suffering from illness but played on against Gawad and gave his opponent a strong test.

The Egyptian player claimed an 11-9, 11-4, 11-9 victory and reached the semi-finals for the first time in his career.

Defending champion Gregory Gaultier of France is scheduled to take on Egypt’s Tarek Momen in their quarter-final match tomorrow.

Should Momen triumph the home crowd would be guaranteed to witness a local winner of the tournament as three-time winner Ramy Ashour will take on Fares Dessouky in the other quarter-final.