Local hero Abdullah Al Muzayen delighted crowds at the Jena International No2 when he secured an unexpected place in the final of the PSA World Tour Challenger 10 squash event at the Qadsia Sporting Club in Hawally, Kuwait.
After beating Italian Amr Ramsy Swelim in the quarter-finals, the unseeded Kuwaiti number one went on to defeat Egyptian qualifier Karim Ali Fathi 11-2, 11-7, 11-4 to reach the final - the tenth PSA World Tour final of his career.
Left-hander Al Muzayen, aged 23, will now face a second Egyptian, Omar Abdel Meguid.
The fourth seed from Giza faced rising compatriot Mohamed Abouelghar, a qualifier. But 23-year-old Meguid was too strong for his 17-year-old opponent, winning 2-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-5 in 44 minutes to claim the sixth Tour final appearance of his career.
RESULTS: PSA Challenger 10 Jena International No2, Hawally, Kuwait
Quarter-finals:
[Q] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) bt [Q] Bader Al Hussaini (KUW) 11-5, 6-11, 11-4, 11-5 (36m)
[4] Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) bt Leo Au (HKG) 11-8, 11-4, 7-11, 11-6 (32m)
Abdullah Al Muzayen (KUW) bt Amr Ramsy Swelim (ITA) 11-7, 11-5, 11-4 (31m)
[Q] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) bt [2] Muhd Asyraf Azan (MAS) 11-9, 11-7, 4-11, 11-8 (60m)
Semi-finals:
[4] Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) bt [Q] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 2-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-5 (44m)
Abdullah Al Muzayen (KUW) bt [Q] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) 11-2, 11-7, 11-4 (30m)