Top seed Ali Farag fell two games behind to Mohamed Abouelghar, but recovered to progress to the men's quarter-finals ©Getty Images

The third round ties in the top half of the men’s and women’s draws at the British Open squash took place today, with the seeded players all progressing, although men’s top seed Ali Farag of Egypt had to come from two games behind.

World number two and reigning world champion Farag fell 10-12 and 9-11 behind to his compatriot Mohamed Abouelghar, but displayed all his character and ability to take the final three games 11-5, 11-6 and 11-9 and progress to the quarter-finals.

There he will face another Egyptian in eighth seed Mostafa Asal, as he defeated his compatriot and world number 17 Omar Mosaad in straight games 11-8, 11-3, 11-6.

In a 101-minute five-game encounter, 2018 British Open winner Miguel Rodriguez of Colombia edged past Malaysia’s Eain Yow Ng 15-13, 11-13, 14-12, 8-11, 11-4.

Fourth seed and world number five Marwan ElShorbagy awaits Rodriguez, as the Egyptian progressed past Germany’s Raphael Kandra 12-10, 11-8, 12-10.

The four matches in the bottom half of the draw will be held tomorrow, including world number one Mohamed ElShorbagy of Egypt against Baptiste Masotti of France, and the tie between third seed Paul Coll of New Zealand and world number 14 Mazen Hesham of Egypt.

Women's top seed Nour El Sherbini took just 23 minutes to defeat India’s Joshna Chinappa ©Getty Images
Women's top seed Nour El Sherbini took just 23 minutes to defeat India’s Joshna Chinappa ©Getty Images

In the women’s draw, top seed and world number one Nour El Sherbini of Egypt was through in 23 minutes as she beat India’s Joshna Chinappa 11-4, 11-9, 11-1.

El Sherbini will face compatriot Nadine Shahin in the last eight, as she recovered from losing the first game 11-8 to Malaysia’s Rachel Arnold, and clinched each of the following three games 11-9.

The United States’ Amanda Sobhy was the other seeded player in action, and the world number five eased past fellow American Olivia Clyne in straight sets 11-5, 11-4, 11-4.

Egypt’s Rowan Elaraby will be her quarter-final opponent after the 21-year-old notched an impressive 11-4, 11-3, 11-3 victory over Canada’s Danielle Letourneau.

Second seed Nouran Gohar of Egypt faces world number 11 Tesni Evans of Wales tomorrow in what looks an exciting encounter, with fourth, fifth and seventh seeds Hania El Hammamy of Egypt, Sarah-Jane Perry of England and Joelle King of New Zealand playing France’s Melissa Alves, Australia’s Donna Lobban and America's Sabrina Sobhy respectively.

Quarter-finals in both competitions are scheduled for Friday (August 20), with the bottom half of the third round draws due to take place tomorrow.