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this page updated June 4, 2001 6:48 AM
Qualifier: Upsets in the Junior Ranks
June 3, 2001
Martin Bronstein reports on the British Open qualifying, Birmingham. - After two rounds of qualifying in the Eye Group British Open, it is the emerging youngsters who are causing the upsets.
Adrian Grant, former hero of the England junior squad that won the world junior men’s championship in Cairo in 1996 was the first shock result when he was beaten by England team-mate Lee Jemmett after a controversial five game marathon that featured everything but world war three. Grant, who is expected to go on to great things, was on song for straight games victory, but a collision with Jemmett put him off-stride and Jemmett evened the match at 2/2 and went on to steal the fifth 15-14.
WILLSTROP
England’s brightest prospect for a decade, James Willstrop from Yorkshire,
still hasn’t reached his 18 birthday, but has the squash brain of a veteran.
He is expected to waltz away with the world junior title next year, and even
though he has yet to start hard training because of schoolwork, is blossoming.
He beat fellow Yorkshireman Nick Matthew (an ex-England junior)in four and
could well find himself in the first round proper after the final qualifying
round match against Netherland’s Tommy Berden.
John Russell, another ex-England junior and former Grant team-mate, pulled off a very valuable win in defeating Stefan Casteleyn of Belgium, a former top ten player. Casteleyn, who trains with Jonathon Power, pushed Peter Nicol to five in Hurghada six weeks ago, so Russell should have no trouble with Stacey Ross in the final round of qualifying.
NORTH
AMERICANS HAVE SHORT VISIT
The North American challenge is finished with both David McNeeley and Beau
River knocked out in the first round of qualifying while Canadian Ian Power,
younger brother of world number one Jonathon, managed a first round victory
only to fall to the very experienced Mark Cairns of England in the second
round.
WOMENS
In Women’s qualifying Canada’s Melanie Jans had an easy 3/0 over Tina Rix
of England while Shabana Khan, the US number one, enjoyed a bye into the second
round where she should beat Vicky Lancaster.
CARLA
KHAN
Carla Khan, grand-daughter of the great Azam Khan, is now flying the Pakistani
flag despite being born and bred in London. She leads the Pakistani challenge
(regardless of gender) being the only Pakistan left in the main tournaments.
She survived a five game match to win through to the second round where she
meets former Aussie great Liz Irving who dispensed with emerging England player
Jenny Duncalf in three straight. If Khan can prolong the rallies, she could
well make it through to the main draw. Irving now coaches in Holland and tends
not to worry too much about fitness.
Malaysia’s wonder schoolgirl Nicol David had a bye in the first round and meets England’s Lauren Briggs in the second which gives her a good chance to be another candidate for the first round on Tuesday
