Egypt’s Mohamed Safwat is one victory away from claiming a historic Challenger title following an impressive three-set success over third-seeded Jordan Thompson in Anning on Saturday.

The 27-year-old from Mansoura is looking to become the first Egyptian to win a Challenger trophy since Tamer El Sawy’s triumph in 1996, when he lifted the Bronx crown.

Safwat had entered the Anning Challenger carrying a five-match losing streak but turned things around with a series of battling wins this week.

“I wouldn’t say I was having a tough couple of weeks. I was always playing close matches, I’ve made a lot of changes and changes take time to settle in. I took the positives from them and just kept on working and looking forward,” Safwat told Sport360 of his tight losses over the past few weeks.

His 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Australian world No. 98 Thompson on Saturday was his third three-setter of the tournament.

“I think I handled the big moments of the match pretty solid,” Safwat said of his win over Thompson. “I managed to play them well and I think that was the key. The key moments were 4-3 in the third set and the beginning of the third set, I think those were the important ones.”

Safwat’s exploits in China will see him rise from 229 to a new career-high ranking on Monday. He will stand at around 176 if he loses the final and could hit 154 if he clinches the title. His previous career-high ranking is 187.

This is Safwat’s second appearance in a Challenger final and first since September 2016, when he finished as runner-up in Kenitra.

“It’s always a good feeling (to reach a final). I’m happy for the progress I made in my performance. It’s very good to be in the final of a big Challenger,” added Safwat.

“I’ve been playing okay so far. Tomorrow it’s another challenge and I’ll see how things will go, I’ll try to find a way for tomorrow and I hope I can manage to go through.”

Standing in his way in Sunday’s final is Indian world No.260 Prajanesh Gunneswaran, who is also searching for a first Challenger trophy.

Safwat and Gunneswaran have never faced off before.

The Anning Challenger is a $150,000 tournament and should Safwat win, he would pocket $21,600 in prize money, which would be the biggest pay day of his professional career.