Nick Matthew will face James Willstrop tonight in New York. photo © 2005 Debra Tessier.

MATTHEW - WILLSTROP SHOWDOWN ON TAP FOR TONIGHT

A good crowd surrounding the all-glass court at New York's Grand Central Terminal, but they were treated to only the briefest of performances by North America's greatest ever squash player when Canadian Jonathon Power crushed compatriot Matthew Giuffre in just 15 minutes on the second day of first round action in the Bear Stearns Tournament of Champions.

The 15 minute encounter may be a record for brevity under the new PSA scoring system which has been in place now for over a year.

Meanwhile, wins by Nick Matthew and James Willstrop sets up a potentially electric second-round repeat of the two's clash at the Windy CIty Open in Chicago in January. Matthew, whose bid in Chicago was stopped by a startlingly bad referees decision (one writer Martin Bronstein called "The worst decision I have ever seen") will be looking for revenge Monday night.

Power, the four-times champion from Montreal, the second seed, allowed his opponent, a qualifier from Edmonton, just two points as he cruised to an 11-1, 11-0, 11-1 win. 

Colombian qualifier Bernardo Samper, who was a national intercollegiate champion at Trinity University in Connecticut, had a very vocal cheering section - but opponent Gregory Gaultier of France was undaunted.  The first Colombian player ever to make the main draw at the Tournament of Champions, Samper was thunderstruck by his opponent’s speed. “The pace at which the top guys play is just another stratosphere“, said the 23-year-old from Bogotá after his 11-7, 11-3, 11-7 defeat in 28 minutes. 

Defending champion Anthony Ricketts needed four games to dismiss Ireland’s qualifier Liam Kenny.  “I had some good patches and some bad patches out there today,” said the Australian, for whom winning the 2005 championship was a major turning point in his career.  “Winning this tournament last year really got my career back on track, and I’d be thrilled to win it again, but I have to take it one match at a time.” 

English qualifier Mark Heather, an assistant teaching pro at New York Athletic Club where the qualifying matches were played, had a big contingent in the stands who were thrilled when he snatched a game from compatriot Nick Matthew, the ninth seed. 

Three-times champion Peter Nicol, playing in his 12th and last Tournament of Champions, took almost an hour to defeat the young Aussie Cameron Pilley.  “I am feeling quite strong and fit,” said Nicol, “but I will certainly have to play better in the next round.” 

The day started with the most improved player of the past year, 28-year-old Australian Stewart Boswell, facing 33-year-old Englishman Mark Chaloner.  Boswell, who reached a career high No4 ranking three years ago and then was off the tour for two years with a back injury, secured a place in the second round with consistent play.  

England’s top player, 22-year-old James Willstrop, described his straight game victory over Egyptian Mohammed Abbas as the “best possible result”, keeping him fresh for his second round encounter with fellow Yorkshireman Nick Matthew.  “I want to win this tournament, and to do that, I’ll have to beat five bloody hard blokes in a row,“ said Willstrop.  

Fittingly, the day’s play ended with 18-year-old qualifier Simon Rosner of Germany, who surprised everyone (including himself) by qualifying to play in the marble halls of Grand Central against 35-year-old Alex Gough. The veteran Welshman knows Grand Central well, having played in every Tournament of Champions held there.  Although the young German made everyone sit up and take notice with his attacking style of play, quickness and fast stroke work, it was the veteran who carried the day for the opportunity to play Jonathon Power in the second round.