Egypt's Farag was twice pegged back by Peruvian fifth seed Diego Elías, but squeezed out an 11-6, 6-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7 win in 69 minutes to reach the last four.

All four quarter-finals went the distance and lasted more than an hour on a day of high-class squash at the PSA World Tour Platinum tournament.

Tarek Momen, the world number three, awaits compatriot Farag in the semi-finals after a come-from-behind win over Joel Makin.

Momen beat the Welshman 9-11, 11-7, 11-5, 8-11, 11-7, and Farag expects a tough match when the semi-finals are played tomorrow.

"I don't have to praise him [Momen] much because the way he has been playing has been amazing," Farag said.

"I don't know how you can play so many balls to the front and still be so consistent. 

"He is a very unique player and is very talented, I am looking forward to a clean match, but not looking forward to how much running I will have to do tomorrow."

Doha is the city where Momen, the current world champion, earned that title in November of last year.

The runner-up that night, Paul Coll, is also into the semi-finals.

Coll is the only non-Egyptian in the final four, but defeated another player from Egypt, Marwan ElShorbagy, 8-11, 11-4, 5-11, 11-9, 11-5 to get there.

Unseeded Fares Dessouky, the world number 12, stands between the Kiwi and a place in the final.

Dessouky saw off 21-year-old compatriot Youssef Ibrahim 11-4, 12-14, 11-2, 10-12, 11-5 today, as Ibrahim was unable to replicate the heroics which saw him knock out top seed Mohamed ElShorbagy.