Coppinger grabs another scalp to make quarters in Doha (updated)

PETALING JAYA: South Africa’s Stephen Coppinger copped yet another major scalp to reach the quarter-finals of the Men’s World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

The 30-year-old Coppinger, ranked 24th in the world, grabbed a 12-10, 9-11, 14-12, 8-11, 11-8 win over world No. 9 Tarek Momen in the third round on Tuesday.

Coppinger has been in buoyant mood, having beaten eighth seed Daryl Selby of England in the first round and Malaysian No. 1 Ong Beng Hee 11-5, 11-6, 11-6 in the second round on Monday.

The lanky South African’s first quarter-final appearance at the world meet will see him take on either world No. 1 Mohamed El Shorbagy of Egypt or 11th seed Simon Rosner of Germany.

While Coppinger is on a high, the 34-year-old Beng Hee was at an all-time low, knowing that he has probably played in his last world meet – his 14th appearance.

And he was clearly disappointed at his early exit.

“It’s always disappointing not to progress when you have been playing well lately,” said Beng Hee.

“But I had a very bad day against Steve and he completely outplayed me... he didn’t let me to settle into my game.”

Another experienced player – 32-year-old Cameron Pilley of Australia also earned his first breakthrough in the world meet, beating Botswana’s Alister Walker to reach the last eight.

Pilley, who has endured a topsy-turvy season, was at his best to notch an 11-7, 11-6, 12-10 win over Walker to make the quarter-finals for the first time.

“I’m absolutely stoked to be in the quarter-finals of the world meet. I had reached the quarter-finals of the British Open before but I’m happier now ... especially since I had a rough patch this year,” said Pilley.

In other results, four-time world champion Amr Shabana sailed into the last eight after defeating Hong Kong’s Max Lee 11-6, 11-7, 11-4.

Spain’s world No. 7 Borja Golan also made the last eight after downing Egyptian youngster Fares Dessouki 11-8, 11-4, 6-11, 11-5 in 60 minutes.