The tournament in Durban saw Assar defeat Tomislav Pucar of Croatia 11-6, 11-9, 12-10 and 11-8.

Nigerian Quadri Aruna is the only other player from the continent to achieve the feat.

"I think I am following in the footsteps of my big brother Quadri Aruna," Assar said.

"His support today really means a lot to me, and I would like to thank him.

"I really wanted to hug him after the match, it was not planned at all.

"I would like to express my appreciation to him, my brother Khalid Assar, my family, Egypt and team Africa." 

It was business as usual for reigning Olympic champion Ma Long of China, who eased past Lim Jong-hoon of South Korea 11-7, 11-5, 11-3 and 11-6.

Fourth seed Tomokazu Harimoto of Japan was stretched by Mihai Bobocica of Italy.

Harimoto won the first game 11-5 but had to sweat it out with 12-10 wins in the next three to progress to the quarter-finals.

Second seed Wand Chuqin was no match for Joao Geraldo of Portugal, defeating him 11-4, 11-4, 11-4, 12-10.

Harimoto teamed up with Hina Hayta to reach the final of the mixed doubles later.

The 2021 silver medallists got the better of Lin Shidong and Kuai Man of China 7-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-6.

Chuqin also reached the mixed doubles final after paring with Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Sun Yingsha to

Wong Chun-ting and Doo Hoi Kem of Hong Kong 9-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-5, 11-5.

Sun reached the women’s singles quarterfinals, brushing past Yubin Shin of South Korea 11-6, 11-8, 11-8, 11-5.

World team champion Chen Xingtong of China had to work hard against Cheng I-Ching of Chinese Taipei.

Chen lost the first two games 8-11 and 9-11 before getting a 11-6 win.

She went down 9-11 again before sealing the match with a 12-10, 12-10, 11-7 victory.