The top seed, who overturned a deficit to defeat Iranian Sajad Zareian in the quarter-finals, was leading the opening game 6-4 when his racket clipped Aubert's face. 

On resumption of play following a stoppage for treatment, Abouaish quickly closed it out before losing a close second game which involved another clash on the head and another blood injury break for Aubert.

Abouaish found himself 2-1 down for the second day in a row after Aubert took the third, however, the Cairo-based 18-year-old raced through the fourth to set up a decider.

Aubert fought back from 4-0 behind to level at 6-6, but Abouaish ultimately prevailed 11-5, 12-14, 6-11, 11-2, 11-9 after 80 minutes to reach the last four for the second successive year.

"I've never played a match like that before," said Abouaish.

"So many stoppages, so long, and such a tough match.

"I'm relieved to come from 2-1 down again.

"I'm sure it was great entertainment - but not great to play in."

Next up for Abouaish is 18-year-old Israr Ahmed, who kept Pakistan's hopes alive by defeating Egypt’s Marwan Tarek Abdelhamid 11-6, 11-9, 8-11, 7-11, 11-5 after 72 minutes.

Hopes of Japanese interest in the semi-finals for the first time ever were dashed when Egypt's Youssef Ibrahim Abdallah beat Yokohama-based Ryunosuke Tsukue 11-7, 2-11, 11-6, 11-8.

Abdallah now faces Eain Yow Ng, the number two seed from Malaysia, who reached the semi-finals for the second time in a row after defeating India's Velavan Senthilkumar 11-6, 11-4, 9-11, 11-5.

There will also be Malaysian interest in the women’s semi-finals after Sivasangari Subramaniam denied the event an all-Egyptian semi-final line-up for the first time in four years.

The 17-year-old twice came from behind to record a 6-11, 11-9, 5-11, 11-7, 11-7 victory over Amina Yousry.

Subramaniam progresses to meet top seed Nouran Gohar, the world number five from Egypt, who crushed New Zealander Eleanor Epke 11-1, 11-1, 11-3.

Gohar's predicted opponent in the final also came through in straight games as second-seeded compatriot Hania El Hammamy overcame England’s Amelia Henley 11-7, 11-7, 11-7.

El Hammamy, who is ranked 43 in the world, now faces fellow Egyptian Rowan Reda Araby - an 11-5, 11-7, 9-11, 11-8 winner over Malaysian Andrea Lee.