|
| |
| FINALS, Sun
13th Feb |
TODAY |
Men's final:
[1] Lee Beachill (Yorks) bt [3] James Willstrop (Yorks)
11-3, 11-6, 11-3 (45m)
Women's final:
[1] Linda Elriani (Sussex) bt Alison Waters (Middx)
9-2, 9-4, 9-3 (30m)
Beachill Bags Third National Title
Yorkshire's world No2 Lee Beachill beat his Pontefract club team-mate
James Willstrop in straight games in today's final of the
British National Squash Championships at the National Squash Centre at
Sportcity in Manchester to become only the third player in the event's
history to win the men's title three times.
The 27-year-old top seed celebrated his fifth successive appearance in the
final by playing at the very top of his game. It took just 45 minutes for
the former world number one to claim an 11-3 11-6 11-3 victory over
Willstrop, his closest friend in the game.
"We know each other's game inside out," said the new three-times champion.
"We practise together every day, we travel together to events and room
together when we're away. So it's difficult when we have to play against
each other like today.
"But I played very well, my length was good and I kept the ball tight and
got it past him - and I think he was a bit drained from his tough battles
over the previous two days," Beachill added.
When it was pointed out that he made only five errors over the whole match,
the Yorkshireman quickly responded: "If there were only five errors against
a player of James's quality, then I'm more than happy with that.
"I think I'm one of the only players in the world top ten that James hasn't
beaten - but he's getting better by the day and my advantage isn't going to
last."
Willstrop, the 21-year-old from Pontefract who catapulted to five in the
world rankings at the beginning of the year, was utterly downcast by his
performance. "I am desperately disappointed - I am very unhappy at the way I
played. It was a massive match and I just didn't perform.
"Lee was just too good tonight - he was giving me absolutely nothing," added
the former world junior champion. "I hit the nick in the left corner, and
that was probably the only good shot of the match."
Fifth Time Lucky For Linda
It was fifth time lucky for Sussex's Linda Elriani in the other final
on the all-glass court at Sportcity. The top seed from Eastbourne, ranked
five in the world, beat London's unseeded Alison Waters in straight
games to win the women's title for the first time in her fifth final
appearance since 1995.
The 33-year-old former Miss Charman was celebrating her 17th appearance in
the event since 1987, but her first since marrying French international
Laurent Elriani last summer. It took just 30 minutes for the favourite to
overcome her unexpected opponent 9-2 9-4 9-3 in 30 minutes.
"People kept saying to me it was my year," said the jubilant champion
afterwards. "I'm completely thrilled that that I've finally done it - I'm
almost lost for words, which is unusual for me.
"Alison has played so well all week, there was no way I was going to take
her lightly," added Elriani of 20-year-old Waters, the first unseeded player
to reach the women's final in the event's 30-year history.
"I played her in the Greenwich Open at the beginning of the year, and beat
her 3/1 in a harder game than today. I think she was a bit nervous today,
which is not surprising in her first final."
The new champion recalled that she had calculated that her opponent must
have been around three years old when she first made her debut in the event!
"Alison's got lots of potential, and has obviously got a great mental
approach," added the new champion.
Waters, who was recently voted the most improved player on the WISPA World
Tour, admitted that she had been nervous: "It's been a great week and I've
learned that I can beat seeded players. I hope I can get through to the
final again next year," said Waters.
|
 |
| Day SEVEN, Sat
12th Feb |
TODAY |
Men's semi-finals:
[1] Lee Beachill (Yorks) bt [4] Nick Matthew (Yorks)
6-11, 11-10 (5-3), 11-5, 9-11, 11-6 (90m)
[3] James Willstrop (Yorks) bt [5] John White (Scotland)
8-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-10 (2-0) (61m)
Women's semi-finals:
[1] Linda Elriani (Sussex) bt [3] Jenny Tranfield (Yorks)
9-2, 4-9, 9-4, 9-1 (42m)
Alison Waters (Middx) bt [2] Rebecca Macree (Essex)
9-6, 10-8, 9-2 (45m)
Waters Waltzes Into
Nationals Record Books
In a sensational upset in today's semi-finals of the British National Squash
Championships at the National Squash Centre at Sportcity in Manchester,
London's Alison Waters beat second seed Rebecca Macree 9-6
10-8 9-2 to become the first unseeded player to reach the women's final in
the event's 30-year history.
The 20-year-old from Southgate will meet top seed Linda Elriani, the
world No5 from Eastbourne, who beat England team-mate Jenny Tranfield
9-2 4-9 9-4 9-1 in 42 minutes to reach her fifth final in ten years.
The men's semi-finals set up the dream final for Manchester squash
enthusiasts - between top seed Lee Beachill and No3 seed James
Willstrop, both of whom represent the local Manchester/Pontefract team
in the National League.
World No2 Lee Beachill made it through to his fifth successive final - but
only after edging past Yorkshire county team-mate Nick Matthew in a
five-game thriller. Sixth-ranked Willstrop came back from a game behind to
beat Scotland's defending champion John White 8-11 11-6 11-9 11-10.
Record Breaker Waters
Waters, the youngest women's finalist for twelve years, was celebrating her
first ever win over Macree, the world No9 who was runner-up two years ago.
"I've taken single games off her before, but never more than that.
"The second game was crucial - she led three times, but if she had won it,
it would have been a different match. I think Rebecca was nervous, the
pressure was on her," added the delighted history-maker.
Elriani, one game away from winning her maiden title in her 17th appearance
in the event since 1987, was full of praise for her opponent: "Jenny played
very well today and I had to play the right game to beat her - it was very
open," said the 33-year-old former Miss Charman, now married to French
international Laurent Elriani.
All-Pontefract Final
The first men's semi-final entertained the packed crowd for 90 minutes.
Fourth seed Matthew, from Sheffield and ranked just four places below his
top-seeded England team-mate, took the first game and had four game-balls to
go into a 2/0 lead. But twice champion Beachill maintained his focus and
levelled the match before racing to a 2/1 lead.
The gritty Matthew fought back, however, and forced the match into a fifth
game decider. But, undeterred, Beachill bounced back to win the match 6-11
11-10 11-5 9-11 11-6 in the longest match of the tournament.
"It's the toughest match I've ever played against him - Nick played really
well, moving well and making very few errors," said the relieved former
champion from Pontefract.
"I didn't play badly, but I had to dig deep to come through - and winning
the second game was very crucial. If I'd gone 2/0 down, things would have
been very different," added the 27-year-old from Pontefract.
Matthew was pleased to have come back in the fourth game. "The fact that I
didn't let him run away with it showed the strength of my character. I was
pleased with that," said the 24-year-old from Sheffield who was hoping to
make his final debut.
After his victory over title-holder White, James Willstrop admitted that he
was pleasantly surprised that he felt all right after his five-game
semi-final marathon the previous evening against fellow Yorkshireman Simon
Parke.
"I did everything right after that match - had some Physio, an ice bath, I
ate well, drunk loads and then slept well," explained the 21-year-old. "But
the match really did take it out of me, so I was pleased with the way I
played today against John.
"It's all down to having confidence in your own ability," added Willstrop,
now in his first Nationals final.
White was downcast after missing out on his second successive final: "We
both stuck to our game plans - but he did so better than I did. He played
really well. His retrieval is great, and his reach is unbelievable."
|
 |
| Day SIX, Fri
11th Feb |
TODAY |
Men's
quarter-finals:
[5] John White (Scotland) bt [10] Marcus Berrett (Yorks)
11-10 (2-0), 11-6, 11-6 (32m)
[3] James Willstrop (Yorks) bt [7] Simon Parke (Yorks)
7-11, 11-10 (4-2), 11-6, 6-11, 11-6 (70m)
Women's quarter-finals:
Alison Waters (Middx) bt [4] Vicky Botwright (Lancs)
9-3, 6-9, 0-9, 9-3, 9-7 (70m)
[2] Rebecca Macree (Essex) bt [Q] Rebecca Botwright (Lancs)
9-1, 9-4, 9-2 (30m)
White Hot Champion Into
Nationals Semi-finals
Back on the all-glass court for the first time since winning the title last
year, champion John White took just 32 minutes to reserve his place
in the last four of the British National Squash Championships in Manchester
today (Friday) after defeating Yorkshire's Marcus Berrett in the
quarter-finals.
It was a noticeably different performance from the former world No1 from
Scotland who struggled to victories in the earlier rounds on the
conventional plaster courts at the National Squash Centre at Sportcity.
"I love playing on this all-glass court - and as soon as I had a practice
hit on it this afternoon, it felt good," said the 31-year-old from
Nottingham after his 11-10 11-6 11-6 victory over Halifax-based Berrett.
"I was moving freely and playing well - the best I've played all week. And
if you're playing well, you can produce good rallies," explained the
title-holder, the game's hardest-hitter of the ball.
"I'm very pleased with the way it went - especially to do it 3-0."
Sensational Finish From Willstrop
The packed Sportcity crowd was treated to a sensational display of squash
artistry and athleticism when third seed James Willstrop took on
former champion Simon Parke, the No7 seed, in the final game of the
day.
Since Parke, 32, won the title in 1998, his younger Yorkshire county
team-mate has increasingly had the upper hand. But 21-year-old Willstrop
dropped the first game as Parke went on the offensive - and despite pulling
2/1 ahead, Willstrop was again cut back by his more experienced opponent as
Parke forced the match into a fifth game.
As Parke became more exhausted in the decider, Pontefract-based Willstrop
piled on the pressure to claim a 7-11 11-10 11-6 6-11 11-6 victory in 70
minutes.
"I rate Simon a lot, and knew it would be a tough game," said Willstrop, the
world No8, afterwards. "I got a really good start in the fifth game which I
needed. I was happy to win the match."
Nottingham-based Parke admitted that he had approached this match a bit
differently: "I tried to be a bit more attacking - but a lot more sensible,
by avoiding going 'headless'," explained the former world No3. "I was a bit
stronger on the ball.
"But at least it will be good training for New York," added Parke, whose
next outing on the PSA Tour will be at the Tournament of Champions at the US
city's Grand Central Station later this month.
Waters and Macree deny Botwrights
Earlier, Manchester star Vicky Botwright, the fourth seed in the
women's event, suffered her fourth defeat in the quarter-finals since 2001
when she was beaten in five games by Middlesex's unseeded Alison Waters.
The world No10 led after the third game - but Waters, the 20-year-old world
No23 from London, fought back to clinch a significant upset 9-3 6-9 0-9 9-3
9-7 in 70 minutes.
"I was a bit nervous at the start and there were a few cheap shots at
times," said Waters, who reached the last eight after an 84-minute marathon
victory over eighth seed Tania Bailey. "This will be my first semi-final,
but tonight's win has given me more confidence."
Botwright was downhearted to have failed in front of her home crowd: "It
looks as if I'm going to be permanently stuck in the quarter-finals here!
"It was a bit of a strange game - I had a bit of a run, then she did. But
Alison played really well.
"I just hope I can do better than this soon - before they decide to move the
event somewhere else," added the local squash star.
There was double disappointment for the Botwright family when Vicky's
younger sister Rebecca Botwright lost in straight games to second
seed Rebecca Macree in the other women's quarter-final.
"I felt confident," said the 33-year-old from Essex after her 9-1 9-4 9-2
win. "I played the right shot at the right time, and that's what it's all
about," added Macree.
"Alison and I play each other a lot at my club - but I'm looking forward to
playing her in tomorrow's semi-finals."
|
 |
| Day FIVE, Thu
10th Feb |
TODAY |
Men's
quarter-finals:
[1] Lee Beachill (Yorks) bt [8] Alex Gough (Wales)
11-9, 11-5, 11-5 (41m)
[4] Nick Matthew (Yorks) bt [6] Adrian Grant (Kent)
11-5, 11-10 (2-0), 11-4 (54m)
Women's quarter-finals:
[1] Linda Elriani (Sussex) bt Dominique L/Walter (Middx)
9-0, 9-0, 9-1 (25m)
[3] Jenny Tranfield (Yorks) bt [6] Jenny Duncalf (Yorks)
8-10, 9-6, 9-1, 9-0 (53m)
Beachill Bounds Through To
Semi-finals At Sportcity
Top seed Lee Beachill, the world No2 from Yorkshire, coasted into the
last four of the British National Squash Championships in Manchester today
after a straight games victory over Welsh champion Alex Gough, the
No8 seed, on the all-glass court at the National Squash Centre at Sportcity.
After a close first game, the 27-year-old from Pontefract led throughout the
second - and after Gough fought back to take a brief 5-2 lead in the third,
Beachill stormed through in a single hand to wrap up his 11-9 11-5 11-5
victory in 41 minutes.
"That game was pretty good," conceded the twice champion who is seeded to
reach his fifth successive final. "I got the ball passed him from the world
go and got him tired, but winning 3-0 is always a bonus.
"It's unusual for me to be the top seed - and frankly I don't like that.
There's a pressure that I haven't experienced before, but I'm coming to
terms with that and just concentrating on playing well," added the
favourite.
"I'm really excited - I love the Nationals, it's one of my favourite
events."
Matthew Reaps Revenge
In the later men's quarter-final, Yorkshire's fourth seed Nick Matthew
reaped revenge for his defeat by Adrian Grant at the same stage in
the event last year when he beat the sixth seed from Kent 11-5 11-10 11-4 in
54 minutes.
The 24-year-old from Sheffield will take on Beachill in an all-Yorkshire
semi-final on Saturday.
Elriani & Tranfield in semis
Linda Elriani, the favourite in the
women's event, dropped just a single point as she despatched unseeded
Dominique Lloyd-Walter to reach the semi-finals for the fourth year in a
row.
After upsetting fifth seed Fiona Geaves in the previous round, 23-year-old
Lloyd-Walter, from Harrow in Middlesex, conceded that this was a
'make-or-break year' for her.
But Elriani, the 33-year-old world No5 from Eastbourne in Sussex, crushed
her unexpected opponent 9-0 9-0 9-1 in 25 minutes.
"Dominique played well - I saw her playing against Fiona yesterday. She
didn't belt it, she got in early and hung in there - it was a good
performance," said the former Miss Charman, now married to French
international Laurent Elriani.
"But I've been training hard over the past month, working with Laurent, and
am enjoying my squash more than ever. But even though I'm top seed, I'm not
looking further than the next round and giving each opponent the respect
they deserve," added the champion-in-waiting.
Earlier, in an all-Yorkshire clash, third seed Jenny Tranfield fought
back from a game down to beat Jenny Duncalf, the sixth seed, 8-10 9-6
9-1 9-0 in 53 minutes to reach her second semi-final - where she will face
Elriani.
|
 |
| Day FOUR, Wed
9th Feb |
TODAY |
Botwrights
Battle Into Women's Quarter-Finals At Sportcity
Manchester sisters Vicky and Rebecca Botwright survived first round
battles in the British National Squash Championships at Sportcity today in
their home city - and could meet in the last four if successful in their
quarter-finals on Friday on the all-glass court at the National Squash
Centre.
Fourth seed Vicky Botwright squandered a two-game lead in her match against
unseeded Stephanie Brind - then had to fight back from 3-7 down in
the fifth game decider to beat the 27-year-old former world No4 from Kent
9-6 9-3 4-9 4-9 9-7 in 61 minutes.
"At two games up, I got a bit anxious and edgy and started to make a few
mistakes," said the 27-year-old world No10 from Worsley. "I felt as if my
legs had gone and I began to have breathing difficulties - I was just
putting pressure on myself.
"At 3-7 down in the fifth, Steph made a couple of errors and suddenly
everything I tried worked. At match-ball I played a cross-court flick which
went straight into the nick - and that just summed up the last half of the
game, as previously nothing like that had gone right for me," explained
Botwright senior.
Later, 23-year-old Rebecca, a qualifier, fully exploited the gap in
the draw created by the withdrawal of seventh seed Madeline Perry when she
beat lucky loser Lauren Briggs, from Essex, 9-4 9-8 9-2 in 37
minutes.
Walters and Lloyd-Walter in Shockers
Gloucestershire's fifth seed Fiona Geaves, in her 19th appearance in
the event since 1984, made a shock early exit after losing in straight games
to unseeded compatriot Dominique Lloyd-Walter, from Middlesex.
The 37-year-old world No12 from Gloucester, who also holds both the British
National and British Open Over-35 titles, is the only former champion in the
women's field. Her 10-8 9-9 9-6 defeat by Lloyd-Walter, 14 years her junior
and 17 places lower in the world rankings, will lead therefore to the
crowning of a new women's champion on Sunday.
"I just wasn't able to prepare well," said a dejected Geaves afterwards. "I
only flew back from a WISPA event in the USA on Monday and arrived in
Manchester yesterday - and, at my age, I just can't do that anymore. I
didn't feel 100%, I wasn't coordinated and I was lethargic - and that's all
down to the travelling.
"I am really disappointed because I know that just wasn't me out there. But
she played really well," conceded the Nationals stalwart.
Lloyd-Walter, from Harrow, felt that the first game was decisive - and
whoever won it would probably have gone on to win the match. "I sneaked it
and then won the next game 9-0," said the 23-year-old who had never before
beaten her senior compatriot and lost the last meeting 27-0!
"I said to myself last month 'it's make-or-break time for me this year' - so
I'm delighted to have recorded my best ever win."
There was another women's upset later in the evening when unseeded Alison
Waters, also from Middlesex, defeated Lincolnshire's eighth seed
Tania Bailey, a former British Open finalist, 10-9 6-9 9-1 3-9 9-5 in an
84-minute marathon.
Londoner Waters, at 20 the youngest player in the draw, is enjoying an
excellent first year on the WISPA World Tour - but admitted: "This is
probably my best ever win. And I finally get to play on the glass court,"
added the world No23 who will meet Vicky Botwright in the quarter-finals on
Friday.
White does it the hard way
Men's defending champion John White, the fifth seed, came through the
hard way for the second night in a row when he edged to a 10-11 11-2 11-6
8-11 11-7 win over Suffolk's 11th seed Bradley Ball in 72 minutes.
At match-ball in the fifth game, the ball burst. During the ensuing knock-up
to warm up the new ball, a string broke in White's racquet - and the tension
was extended further as the Scot sought a replacement.
"Another scrape, but at least I've got a day off," sighed the relieved
White, a former world No1, after his second narrow escape on the
conventional plaster courts at the National Squash Centre - before the
action moves onto the all-glass court from the quarter-finals onwards.
"I can't wait to get back onto the glass court," said the title-holder as he
headed for the station and a train journey back to Nottingham and his
seven-month old twins Max and Sam. "I look forward to chilling out at home
with the twins."
White's opponent on Friday will be Yorkshire's Marcus Berrett, who
beat Laurence Delasaux in straight games, taking advantage of the withdrawal
of second seed Peter Nicol.
Another Yorkshireman, third seed James Willstrop, beat
Manchester/Pontefract team-mate Nick Taylor in the final match of the
day before a packed crowd of supporters of the local National League team.
Within minutes of his 11-8 10-11 11-6 11-5 victory on the conventional
court, 21-year-old Willstrop was 'warming down' on the nearby all-glass
court - already preparing for his quarter-final clash with Simon Parke in less
than 48 hours.
"I wanted to be really free on the other court, but it's so bouncy and that
made it difficult," said the world No8. "I didn't play that well, but did so
in patches," conceded Willstrop.
Taylor was downhearted - "but not too disappointed".
"I played better than I thought I would after yesterday's match, but I just
didn't have the confidence to keep up the pace of the game," said the
two-times runner-up from Stalybridge who is now retired from the
international circuit and fully devoted to coaching at the Sportcity Centre.
"I wish I could have pushed a bit harder - especially as James wasn't
playing to his capacity."
|
 |
| Day THREE, Tue
8th Feb |
TODAY |
Champion White Survives Stern
Test
Defending champion John White survived a tough test in today's
(Tuesday) opening round of the British National Squash Championships,
ultimately winning in 56 minutes over four games against unranked Irishman
Derek Ryan at the National Squash Centre at Sportcity in Manchester.
Bury-based Ryan, an eight-times Irish champion and former world No7, is now
retired from the international circuit and midway through training to become
a physiotherapist. Showing all the skills that took him into the world top
ten in the late nineties, the 35-year-old made White fight hard for his 11-7
9-11 11-10 11-10 victory.
"I always have a tough game against Derek," said the champion from Scotland.
"He played very well and his short balls just hugged the wall, making them
almost impossible to play.
"It's always good to get a good decent hit to start with - but I'm glad I'm
through it," added the 31-year-old from Nottingham who won the title for the
first time last year.
Ryan admitted that the game suited him better: "I was more relaxed and had
zero pressure on me - and that court doesn't suit John, so it was a bit of a
leveller all round," said the popular former pro who now only plays North
West County league squash for Rochdale and Yorkshire league for Pontefract.
Manchester Derby
The later all-Manchester battle between twice runner-up Nick Taylor,
the ninth seed, and Andrew Whipp, a qualifier, had the packed crowd
on the edges of their seats for a full five games. Though underdog Whipp, a
23-year-old from Stockport in his third appearance in the event, led 2/1, it
was favourite Taylor who eventually prevailed 7-11 11-4 5-11 11-6 11-6 in 63
minutes.
"I didn't play well at all tonight," said Taylor, from Stalybridge,
afterwards. "But I'm only playing once a week nowadays, so I should have
enjoyed it more than I did - I was simply too edgy, conscious of the great
expectation there was on me.
"But Whippy played well in patches and made errors in patches too - and
probably deserved to win. I'm just happy to be through to the next round -
the pressure's off now!"
Whipp admitted that he was angry with himself after the match: "At 2/1 up
and 2-0 up in the fourth, I suddenly got so nervous. I tightened up and saw
that he was getting tired.
"But I'm so angry - I just hate losing, and had two horrible decisions in
the last game. But Nick played really well in the fifth game," conceded the
disappointed loser.
Top seed Lee Beachill cruised through his opening encounter to
register an 11-8 11-4 11-5 victory in 32 minutes over Gloucestershire's
Alister Walker. The 27-year-old world No2 from Yorkshire, who leads the
local Manchester/Pontefract team National League attack, claimed it was the
ideal start.
"A perfect first round match - it wasn't too easy, but I wasn't too
stretched," said the two-times champion who is seeded to reach the final for
the fifth successive year.
"This event means a lot to me - it was where I made my breakthrough some
years ago, and I would really like to win the title again. It's very local
for me and the tournament always brings out the best in me," Beachill added.
Two seeds down
Two seeds bit the dust on day one of the men's event - Alex Stait,
from Gloucestershire, fought back from a game down to beat 15th seed Joey
Barrington, from Somerset, 8-11 11-8 11-8 11-4 in 59 minutes, while
Essex's Phillip Barker took 75 minutes to quash Sussex's 13th seed
Peter Genever 11-2 10-11 8-11 11-10 11-4.
Phillip, 23, from Upminster, joins his higher-ranked younger brother Peter
Barker in the second round. The 21-year-old, seeded for the first time at
14, defeated Lancashire qualifier Peter Billson 8-11 11-9 11-8 11-7 in 48
minutes.
The men's event suffered a setback in the morning when it was announced that
No2 seed Peter Nicol had withdrawn, suffering with flu. "I'm very
disappointed not to be playing again in Manchester, especially coming off my
win in Dayton, Ohio, last week," said the twice former champion from London.
Women's Qualifiers
The final line-up for the first round of the women's event was also decided
today at the National Squash Centre. Rebecca Botwright (Lancs),
Sarah Kippax (Cheshire) and Amina Helal (Lancs) provided further
north west interest in the event after winning their qualifying final
matches - joining Derbyshire firewoman Laura Hill who beat Sussex's
Suzie Pierrepont 9-4 4-9 9-10 9-7 9-7 in a 63-minute marathon.
The late withdrawal of Ireland's seventh seed Madeline Perry (suffering from
blisters) provided Essex's Lauren Briggs with an unexpected 'lucky
loser' spot, in which she takes on qualifier Rebecca Botwright, from
Manchester, for a place in the women's last eight.
|
 |
| Day TWO, Mon
7th Feb |
|
Taylor Whipps Up Local Clash
In Nationals Opener
Manchester's Andrew Whipp fought through today's (Monday) qualifying
finals of the British National Squash Championships at the National Squash
Centre at Sportcity in Manchester for the third successive year - only to be
drawn to face local star Nick Taylor, the No9 seed, in Tuesday's
first round.
Whipp, 23, from Stockport, will perhaps count himself lucky - as his
opponent both in 2003 and 2004 was England's former world No1 Peter Nicol
who, after the first of their meetings, went on to win the title for the
second time.
The Manchester Northern stalwart beat Gloucestershire's Rob Shepherd in
straight games in the first match of the day, then triumphed 11-10 11-5 11-5
over Derbyshire's Joel Hinds to earn his place in the main draw.
Twice a runner-up in the Nationals, Taylor is now retired from the
international circuit and coaching at the National Centre at Sportcity. But
the 33-year-old from Stalybridge is still a formidable force on a squash
court - and a full-house is guaranteed for the all-Manchester battle at
8.00pm on Tuesday.
Manchester favourite Derek Ryan also came through the qualifying
finals in style, beating Nottingham's Nick Douglas 7-11 11-4 11-6 11-10 to
earn a first round clash with Scotland's defending champion John White.
A Nationals veteran since 1992, Irishman Ryan is based in Bury and
represents Rochdale in the North West Counties league.
It was fifth time lucky for Manchester Northern coach Peter Billson,
who further boosted north west interest in the men's main draw by beating
Leicestershire's Darren Lewis 11-8 11-7 4-11 11-7 in the qualifying finals.
The 24-year-old from Manchester will face Essex's Peter Barker in the
first round.
Qualifying in the women's event began on Monday with Sussex's Rachel
Willmott surviving the longest battle when she beat Hampshire's Susannah
King 9-1 8-10 3-9 9-6 9-3 in 54 minutes.
Twice champion Lee Beachill, the world No2 from Pontefract in
Yorkshire who is seeded to reach his fifth successive final, begins his
campaign against Gloucestershire's Alister Walker at 1.00pm on
Tuesday. The 27-year-old is expected to face fellow Englishman Peter
Nicol, the second seed, in the men's final on Sunday.
Nicol, also a two-times champion, takes on Yorkshireman Laurence Delasaux
in the first round. Delasaux claimed the final qualifying final victory
at Sportcity when he beat Oliver Davidson 11-4 11-5 11-9.
Immediately after the match, Davidson, from Hayes in Middlesex, discovered
that he had been picked as 'lucky loser' - and given a place in the main
draw against former champion Stephen Meads. The Berkshire player's
original opponent had been upgraded to 16th seed, and moved elsewhere in the
draw, following the last-minute withdrawal of ninth seed Mark Chaloner, from
Lincolnshire, with a calf injury.
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| Day ONE, Sun
6th Feb |
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Scot Crawford Survives Marathon
Tie-Break In Nationals Qualifier
In the longest tie-break score recorded since the new men's professional
game scoring system was introduced last year, Scotland's Stuart Crawford
survived a marathon match in today's first round qualifying round of the
British National Squash Championships at the National Squash Centre at
Sportcity in Manchester.
More than 40 players from all over Britain are competing for eight places in
the men's draw of the world-class event which gets underway with the first
round on Tuesday. Twice champion Lee Beachill, the world No2 from
Pontefract in Yorkshire, is seeded to reach his fifth successive final,
where he is expected to face fellow Englishman Peter Nicol, the
second seed who is also a two-times champion.
Such is the quality of the men's draw that three former world number ones
will line up in the first round - two of whom, Peter Nicol and defending
champion John White, of Scotland, are drawn to meet in a
quarter-final!
Scottish international Crawford was taken to three tie-breaks by
Staffordshire's Richard Davies - but after match-balls see-sawed
between the pair in the fifth-game decider, Crawford ultimately secured his
victory after 71 minutes in an incredible 11-6 10-11 5-11 11-10 11-10
scoreline, where the final tie-break was only settled at 11-9!
Crawford now faces Yorkshire's Simon Pickering - the recipient of a
first round bye - for a place in the qualifying finals.
Monday's action will see the men's qualifying field reduced from 32 to eight
over two rounds.
Also in action will be players competing for qualifying places in the
women's first main draw. Sussex's Linda Elriani is seeded to put four
runners-up successes behind her to claim her first title in her 17th
appearance since 1987. The 33-year-old from Eastbourne, who has already
collected two WISPA titles in the USA this year, is expected to face second
seed Rebecca Macree, from Essex, in the final on Sunday.
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