The seventh seeded played began far the sharper of the two players, quickly securing the opening two games 11-8.

Gawad, however, rallied to win the third game 11-4 and maintained the momentum throughout the duration of the fourth to level the scores and force a decider.

Having dragged his way back into the contest, Gawad was expected to go on to secure the victory.

Elshorbagy, though, regained his composure and claimed the final game 11-6.

“Karim and I know each other’s game very well so we knew what to expect from each other today,” said Elshorbagy.

“I think I managed to play better in the first two games and he was the better player in the second two.

“I know how good he is at winning five-game matches so I just told myself to keep hitting and running and giving it my all and I’m very happy to win especially because this is a big tournament for me.”

The result keeps Elshorbagy’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals for the second successive year alive, where he could meet his brother Mohamed.

Mohamed Elshorbagy enjoyed far easier progression to the last eight of the tournament as he cruised past his compatriot Mohamed Abouelghar 11-9, 11-6, 18-16.

Colombia’s Miguel Angel Rodriguez overcame England’s Tom Richards 11-8, 6-11, 12-10, 12-10 and Germany’s Simon Rösner secured a 11-7, 11-4, 10-12, 12-10 win over Hong Kong’s Max Lee to reach the quarter-finals.

The final set of second round competitions are scheduled to take place tomorrow.

In the women’s event, world number one Laura Massaro brushed aside the challenge of fellow Englishwoman Victoria Lust 11-5, 11-2, 11-9.

Lust was one of three English players to see their runs ended, as Sarah-Jane Perry lost 11-6, 11-9, 11-5 to world number three Nicol David of Malaysia.

Egypt’s Omneya Abdel Kawy defeated England’s Emily Whitlock by a score of 12-10, 5-11, 11-9, 11-4 to reach the quarter-final, while team-mate Nour El Sherbini beat Malaysia’s Delia Arnold 11-5, 11-9, 11-8.