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Willstrop wins Novartis Invitation

By Howard Harding © 2003; [draw/results] all rights of reproduction reserved.
June 9, 2003 

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Novartis Invitation, Cleethorpes, England

Final:
[4] James Willstrop (ENG) bt [3] Rodney Durbach (RSA) 13-15, 15-6, 15-12, 15-5

England's Former World Junior Squash Champion James Willstrop claimed another impressive scalp in his rapid rise through the sport's senior ranks when he beat England captain Mark Chaloner and long-time professional, the world No. 14, in straight games in the semi-finals of the Novartis Invitation in Cleethorpes, England.

The 19-year-old from Pontefract in Yorkshire, seeded four, overcame Paul Lord in the first round of the eight-man event in an expected result.

Chaloner, the top seed who is ranked 24 places higher in the world list and three positions above in the domestic rankings, was the teenager's next victim.

Willstrop wasted no time in defeating his England team-mate, the defending champion, 15-11 15-10 15-12 to reach the final.

After a nervous start against South Africa's Rodney Durbach, last year's beaten finalist, the youngster recovered his composure and his touch and rallied to a 13-15 15-6 15-12 15-5 victory to claim the title.

"Rodney is never easy and he won a close first game, but when I went 2/1 up I felt confident, since he looked more tired than me," said Willstrop. "Cleethorpes pulled together a high-class field and this gave me ideal match practice in preparation for my next event on the PSA World Tour, the Spanish Open in Seville later this month.

"I have been training hard this summer, and I'm pleased to demonstrate the progress I am making with this great win over Mark," Willstrop added. "I now look forward to making further strides on the PSA Tour and improving my world ranking."

Semi-finals:
[4] James Willstrop (ENG) bt [1] Mark Chaloner (ENG) 15-11, 15-10, 15-12
[3] Rodney Durbach (RSA) bt Ben Howell (ENG) 15-8, 8-15, 15-11, 11-15, 15-5

1st round:
[1] Mark Chaloner (ENG) bt Stacey Ross (ENG) 17-16, 15-8, 15-9
[4] James Willstrop (ENG) bt Paul Lord (ENG) 15-12, 15-12, 13-15, 15-6
[3] Rodney Durbach (RSA) bt Tim Garner (ENG) 15-6, 7-15, 15-3, 15-7
Ben Howell (ENG) bt [2] Nick Taylor (ENG) 15-10, 15-9, 15-6

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