03-Dec-2011
The News
KARACHI: Pakistan squash No 1 Aamir Atlas Khan defeated New Zealander Campbell Grayson in Coronation London Open to confirm his presence in the semifinals of PSA World Tour Challenger 15 at the Cumberland Lawn Tennis Club in London.
Khan, top seeded in the event and ranked 26th in the world circuit, overpowered 34 places lower ranked opponent Campbell Grayson 11-7, 11-4, 9-11, 12-10.
In the semifinal, Aamir will face World No 51 Englishman Chris Simpson, who defeated qualifier Steven Finitsis of Australia 11-9, 14-12, 3-11, 11-1 in a 75-mimute encounter.
Meanwhile, English qualifier Eddie Charlton produced the only upset on the opening day of the main draw action when he ousted fellow countryman Robbie Temple.
Temple, ranked 37 places above his opponent, started the match well. A shaky start from Charlton eased him into a first game lead. But 23-year-old Charlton, ranked 99th in the world, fought back to take the next three to claim a surprise 6-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-5 win.
Charlton will now face 20-year-old Egyptian Karim Abdel Gawad who saw off French qualifier Fabien Verseille 11-7, 11-9, 11-5 in 42 minutes.
1st round: [1] Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) bt Campbell Grayson (NZL) 11-7, 11-4, 9-11, 12-10. Chris Simpson (ENG) bt [Q] Steven Finitsis (AUS) 11-9, 14-12, 3-11, 11-1 (75m). Andrew Wagih Shoukry (EGY) bt [Q] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 12-10, 11-9, 11-9 (45m). [3] Borja Golan (ESP) bt Joe Lee (ENG) 11-9, 11-6, 11-6. [4] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [Q] Fabien Verseille (FRA) 11-7, 11-9, 11-5 (42m). [Q] Eddie Charlton (ENG) bt Robbie Temple (ENG) 6-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-5. Mark Krajcsak (HUN) bt Reuben Phillips (ENG) 11-5, 11-4, 11-2. [2] Stephen Coppinger (RSA) bt Davide Bianchetti (ITA) 11-4, 9-11, 11-4, 13-11. |
