Squash: Shahid Zaman overcomes determined Garner
MANCHESTER, Oct 11: Pakistan’s best hope Shahid Zaman overcame a determined challenge from England’s qualifier Ben Garner to advance to the second round of the British Open squash championship on Tuesday.
Shahid, seeded 14th in the prestigious tournament, had to be at his best in carving out a five-game 11-9, 8-11, 11-3, 5-11, 11-6 victory over Garner.
World number one and topseed Frenchman Therry Lincou, showed no mercy to local favourite Stacey Ross in a common canter. He won 11-8, 11-8, 11-5.
Former champion England’s Peter Nicol was also in devastating form as he pulverized fellow countryman Laurence Delasaux in three straight games 11-6, 11-6, 11-2.
Scotland’s John White ended India’s interest in the competition with an emphatic win over Saurav Ghosal in an one-sided affair. White advanced to the next round with 11-6, 11-7, 11-2 success.
RESULTS:
Thierry Lincou (France) bt Stacey Ross (England) 11-8 11-8 11-5; Alex Gough (Wales) bt Joe Kneipp (Australia) 4-11 11-1 11-6 11-5; Peter Nicol (England) bt Laurence Delasaux (England) 11-6 11-6 11-2; Shahid Zaman (Pakistan) bt Ben Garner (England) 11-9 8-11 11-3 5-11 11-6; David Palmer (Australia) bt Joey Barrington (England) 11-10 8-11 11-3 11-8; Beng Hee Ong (Malaysia) bt Simon Parke (England) 6-11 11-8 11-8 11-5; Anthony Ricketts (Australia) bt Rodney Durbach (South Africa) 11-9 11-8 11-3; Graham Ryding (Canada) bt Peter Barker (England) 11-9 11-9 11-6 John White (Scotland) bt Saurav Ghosal (India) 11-6 11-7 11-2.
Earlier on Monday Garner beat Pakistan’s Aamir Atlas Khan, Asian junior champion in men’s qualifying finals of British Open Squash Championships at National Squash Centre, and claimed a place in main draw of world’s most famous event for the first time in four attempts.
“I remember being a ball-boy at British Open when it was held at Wembley, wondering whether I would ever be able to play in this world-renowned event, with all its tradition,” said Garner after his 11-7 10-11 11-5 11-5 dismissal of 15-year-old Pakistani Aamir.
Garner, who reached 40 in the world two months ago now faces another Pakistani, 14th seed Shahid Zaman in the first round.
In a bumper day for hosts, Garner was one of four Englishmen who survived men’s qualifying finals: Essex’s Phillip Barker, twice came from behind to beat Pakistan’s Farhan Mehboob 7-11 11-6 9-11 11-9 11-10 in 64 minutes, while Gloucestershire’s Alister Walker defeated Farrukh Zaman 11-8 11-6 11-10 in 43 minutes.
Another Surrey player Stacey Ross was giving 14 years to his younger opponent Yasir Butt. But 31-year-old Ross proved that experience ultimately counts as he beat 17-year-old Butt 11-3 11-3 11-4 in fourth Anglo-Pakistan clash of the day which went the hosts’ way.
Ross was later handed toughest first round opponent, France’s world No1 Thierry Lincou.
In qualifying women’s event Laura-Jane Lengthorn, ranked 19 in the world, beat Sarah Kippax 9-5 9-4 10-8 to earn place in qualifying finals against compatriot Dominique Lloyd-Walter.
But Rebecca Botwright caused biggest upset venue when she ousted Pakistan No1 Carla Khan. Rebecca, battled for 69 minutes to overcome Carla, ranked 24 in the world, 9-4 4-9 9-3 10-9.
The world No32 now faces another English opponent Alison Waters for a place in Thursday’s first round.—Agencies