Zimbabwe's leading men's squash player Ryan Gwidzima continued his impressive run at the US$6,000 Assore Tour Challenger 6 #2 after advancing to the quarter-finals of the PSA Challenger Tour event at Parkview Squash Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.
He takes on South Africa's Luhann Groenewald in the quarter-finals today.
Seeded fourth, Gwidzima received a first-round bye before overcoming South African Nhlanhla Maseko 11-6, 11-5, 11-13, 11-8 in a hard-fought second-round encounter that lasted 50 minutes.
Luhann, who eased past compatriot Nikhil Pather 11-4, 11-6, 11-8 in just 18 minutes. is seeded number six.
Gwidzima is the only Zimbabwean left in the men's draw and remains on course for a strong finish in the PSA Challenger Tour event, which has attracted some of Southern Africa's top players alongside a strong Egyptian contingent.
Top seed Damian Groenewald of South Africa progressed comfortably with an 11-6, 11-4, 11-7 victory over compatriot Luke Jacoby and will meet Egypt's fifth seed Adham Roshdy, who dispatched Judah Phillips 11-4, 11-3, 11-9.
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The other quarter-final will see third seed Ahmed Sherif of Egypt face South Africa's Ethan Robinson after Sherif survived a stern test from Dean Venter in five games, while Robinson defeated Diodivine Meluleki Mkhize in straight games.
Second seed Seif Shenawy of Egypt also advanced after beating Gareth Craigen 11-9, 14-12, 13-11 and will take on compatriot Ahmed Elbeshouty for a place in the semi-finals.
A victory over Luhann Groenewald would see Gwidzima move into the last four of the tournament and boost his standing on the PSA Challenger Tour.