Willstrop put title-holders England head against Switzerland before drama unfolded when team-mate Nick Matthew faced his first ever defeat to Nicolas Müller when the Swiss No.1 built up a 2/0 and 8-7 lead and was just three points away from an historic upset.
With three world individual titles to his name and more than 100 caps for England, 37-year-old Matthew called upon his vast experience in the game to weather the storm and assert his authority on his opponent to close out the match 9-11 9-11 11-8 11-5 11-7 in 53 minutes to carry England into the last eight.
Joel Makin of Wales put in another impressive performance by extending World No.1 Gregory Gaultier for 54 minutes before eventually losing 11-9 9-11 11-5 4-11 11-7 as Wales were defeated 3-0 by the hosts.
Iker Pajares Bernabeu also produced an impressive performance before losing in 65 minutes to New Zealand No.2 Campbell Grayson 11-8 8-11 11-5 11-6.
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