Both players were on the attack for the most part of the match taking turns for the lead. But Mohazebnia appeared stronger in latter parts of both sets to clinch victory

Second seed Gregory Howe of the UK was also tested by Abdullah Haji of Qatar in another quarter-final encounter. The Briton went down 1-6 in the opening set but he recovered to beat the Qatari 6-4, 6-1 in the second and third sets respectively to book a place in the semifinals.

Troy Gilham of Australia made it to the same round by beating UAE’s Hamed Abbas in two straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. The Aussie will now face top seed Mohazebna of Iran.

UAE national team player, Mahmood Nader, retired in the second set in the match against Pakistan’s Asim Shafiq. The Pakistani was leading 6-3, 2-0 when Nader retired.

The men’s doubles semifinal matches, meanwhile, produced a lot of thrills as both went into three sets. Iran’s Mohazebnia and his partner Shafiq battled back from 3-6 down to oust Neil Boulilan of the Philippines and compatriot, Ilic Taboura 7-6, 10-4.

UK’s Howe and Troy of Australia were also stretched by Hamed Abbas (UAE)/Abdullah Haji (Qatar) before scraping to a 2-6, 6-2, 17-15 victory.

Results: Men’s singles quarterfinals: Mohammed Mohazebnia (Iran) bt Iic Taboura (Philippines) 7-5, 6-4; Troy Gilham (Australia) bt Hamed Abbas (UAE) 6-4, 6-4; Asim Shafiq (Pakistan) bt Mahmood Nader (UAE) 6-3, 2-0 (retired); Gregory Howe (UK) bt Abdullah Haji (Qatar) 1-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Men’s doubles semifinals: Mohammed Mohazebnia (Iran)/Asim Shafiq (Pakistan) bt Neil Boulilan (Philippines)/Ilac Taboura (Philippines) 3-6, 7-6, 10-4; Troy Gilham (Australia)/Howe Gregory (UK) bt Hamed Abbas (UAE)/Abdullah Haji (Qatar) 2-6, 6-2, 17-15.