Comeback king James Willstrop staged another thrilling revival to secure his passage to the quarter-finals of the Squash World Open.

The Englishman clawed his way back from 2-0 down against Egyptian Mohammed Abbas, winning three straight games to claim victory in last night's second round match at the Fairmont Southampton.

Just as he had against Laurens Jan Anjema in the previous stage, Willstrop made a sluggish start but once again dug deep to pull off what seemed an unlikely victory.

"It was an almost identical game to the first round," said an exhausted Willstrop.

"I came out rusty again and Abbas was really on his game, but I just dug deep and it paid off. I'm thrilled to progress."

In-form Englishman Nick Matthew knocked out the last remaining qualifier Omar Mosaad in three straight games earlier in the night.

Matthew, ranked 10th in the world, beat the Egyptian 11-6, 11-9,11-7 to march on to the quarters where he will meet fellow countryman Willstrop later today.

When asked about his chances of adding the World Open title to his 2006 British Open and 2007 US Open titles, Matthew adhered to the age-old sporting adage of "taking each match as it comes".

"I'm just pleased to have progressed to the next stage and put myself in contention," he said.

"You have to take each match as it comes and although that sounds boring that's all you can do.

"The conditions are tough out there and it's so sweaty I was finding it hard to hold onto my racket at times."

Malaysian number one Mohammed Azlan Iskandar was narrowly beaten by John White by 3-2 in an absorbing encounter.

Iskandar started the stronger claiming the first game 11-7, before White, an Australian playing for Scotland, drew level winning the second 11-5.

But up and coming talent Iskandar regained his lead with another 11-7 victory, but could not prevent the powerful Aussie triumphing in an epic fourth game 13-11, to set up a deciding fifth game which he took 11-5.

"I'm feeling physically ok and comfortable with the way the court is playing," said White.

"It was a tough game and Iskandar is knocking on of the top ten. I was lucky to get the fourth game and lucky to get through."

In the final game of the second round Gregory Gaultier reinforced his pedigree as a championship favourite defeating Hisham Mohammed Ashour 11-4, 11-8, 11-4. He will now take on John White in the quarters.