The Englishman was stretched the distance in an epic encounter with German opponent Raphael Kendra which lasted 64 minutes.

He edged the first two sets 12-10, 11-9 before losing the next two, 5-11, 8-11.

All of Matthew's experience was then required as he took the decider 11-8 at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.

This match was over in the blink of an eye in comparison with the one that followed, however.

Egypt's Omar Mosaad required 108 minutes to take a thrilling victory over Colombia's Miguel Rodriguez.

He eventually triumphed 13-15, 11-5, 12-10, 10-12, 14-12.

Eighth seed Tarek Momen was another Egyptian winner on the second day of competition as he beat compatriot Mohamed Abouelghar 11-4, 11-6, 7-11, 11-7.

Australia's Cameron Pilley and France's Mathieu Castagnet were other players to march into the second round.

Pilley beat England's Adrian Waller 11-3, 11-13, 11-9, 11-6 while Castagnet prevailed 9-11, 11-9, 14-12, 11-3 against Alan Clyne of Scotland.