(updated 21-jan-10 11:28 )    [DRAW/RESULTS]

The 2010 edition of the Tournament of Champions got underway today with qualifying play at three Manhattan squash clubs, within several blocks of the famous Grand Central Terminal Venue.

With all of the world's top players laying in wait in the main draw, a field of 32 qualifying hopefuls began play looking for eight qualifying berths.

For American audiences, two familiar stars, Colombia's Bernardo Samper, former Trinity star, advanced with a four game win over New-York based Kerim Yehia; while Yasser El Halaby defeated Pakistan's Arshaad Burki in an abbreviated match.

Also advancing is ageless Chris Walker, former British Open finalist and current ISDA doubles star.

WILY WALKER ADVANCES

Englishman Chris Walker scored a major upset in the opening round of the qualifying tournament in the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions, defeating Australia’s Matthew Karwalski (AUS) in five games in a 70 minute marathon match. The 42 –year-old former world #4, now a squash coach in Connecticut, said, “I would dearly love to get on the glass court one last time,” referring to the sparkling four walled glass court constructed under the chandeliers in Grand Central Terminal for the main draw. First, however, Walker will have to get past Australia’s Ryan Cuskelly, who defeated T.G. Raubenheimer of South Africa in four games.

Two former US intercollegiate champions are in the hunt for main draw berths. Princeton University graduate Yasser El Halaby, the only four time winner of the men’s collegiate crown, looked like he was going to be down 1-2 in games when his opponent, Pakistani Arshaad Burki, pulled up short with a pulled calf muscle and had to retire. El Halaby will face Gregoire Marche who eliminated New Zealand’s Kashif Shuja in four games with relentless retrieving and court speed.  Trinity College graduate Bernardo Samper of Colombia, also a US intercollegiate champion, defeated local pro Kerim Yehia in four games and will next play France’s Stephane Galifi who came back from an 0-2 deficit to defeat countryman Fabien Verseille.  Mathieu Castagnet completes the French trio of players into the second round and will face tour veteran Mohammad Abbas who was ranked #13 two year ago.  The 29-year-old Egyptian, coming back after a year long injury hiatus, dispatched Welshman Jethro Binns with relative ease in three straight games.

Hometown favorite Chris Gordon pleased the crowd at the Harvard Club by defeating Canada’s David Letourneau in four games. He will next play Switzerland’s Nicholas Mueller for the right to make it to the main draw and the glass court.

RESULTS, 2010 Tournament of Champions, 1st Day Qualifying  [Main Draw]

Nicholas Mueller (SUI) bt Wade Johnstone (AUS) 11-8 11-8 11-6 (42m)
Chris Gordon (USA) bt David Letourneau (CAN) 11-4 11-5 10-12 11-4 (63m)
Matthieu Castagnet (FRA) bt Esteban Casarino (PAR) 11-5 11-7 13-11 (47m)
Mo Abbas (EGY) bt Jethro Binns (WAL) 11-7 11-6 11-5 (35m)
Gregoire Marche (FRA) bt Kashif Shuja (NZL) 7-11 12-10 11-6 12-10 (58m)
Yasser El Halaby (EGY) bt Arshaad Burki (PAK) 11-4 5-11 6-10 retired ( 27m)
Stephane Galifi (FRA) bt Fabien Vereille (FRA) 8-11 9-11 11-6 11-3 11-6 (67m)
Bernardo Samper (COL) bt Karim Yehia (USA) 9-11 11-5 11-7 11-7 (49m)
Adrian Waller (ENG) bt Edward Marks (USA) 11-5 11-2 11-2 (27m)
Scott Arnold (AUS) Omar El Kashef (EGY) 12=10 11=9 11=7 (45m)
Chris Walker (ENG) bt Matthew Karwalski (AUS) 9-11 11-9 9-11 11-8 11-7 (70m)
Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) bt T G Raubenheimer (RSA) 11-8 11-5 11-5 (35m)
Alan Clyne (SCO) bt Tom Pashley (ENG) 11-9 10-12 11-3 11-7 (49m)
Yasir Butt (PAK) bt Erik Valtierra (MEX) 11-7 11-8 9-11 11-3 (33m)
Shaun LeRoux (ENG) bt Liam Kenny (IRL) 11-6 11-7 retired (20m)
Campbell Grayson (NZL)bt Johan Boquet (FRA) 11-4 11-6 11-7 (31m)