Mixed Fortunes For Home Hopes In British Open Openers

England's top squash stars suffered a day of mixed fortunes during the opening round of the 2015 Allam British Open, PSA World Series event, with three-time World Champion Nick Matthew the only representative to progress on day one of action at Hull's Airco Arena.

Dubbed the 'Wimbledon of squash', the British Open is the most prestigious tournament to take place in the United Kingdom but it was a disappointing day for home talent, with Peter Barker, the World No.6, James Willstrop, the World No.15 and World No.77 Ben Coleman all suffering first round defeats.

Former World No.1 Willstrop lost out in a gigantic opener against current World No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy, the Bristol-based Egyptian, with Coleman falling to German Simon Rösner and injury ending Barker's hopes of progress, but there was joy for Matthew as he saw off Dutchman Laurens Jan Anjema 3-1 to continue his recovery from a recent ankle-injury.

"I'm delighted to get off the court in one piece today and it feels like I've just won a tournament at the minute because you can take being healthy for granted at times," said the 34-year-old from Sheffield three-time British Open winner.

"A lot of work has gone in with my physio and the team behind the scenes to get me here to the start line. I've got 48 hours rest and recovery now and the amount of improvement my ankle has been making every day this week is great so hopefully we can keep that moving on now over the next 48 hours."

Matthew came into the tournament with question marks over his fitness after limping off court during April's El Gouna International but the tenacious Yorkshireman utilised his wealth of experience to move into the second round where he will face Frenchman Gregoire Marche.

Elsewhere on day one there were impressive victories for Spaniard Borja Golan and Egyptian pairing Fares Dessouki and Marwan Elshorbagy.

The second half of first round action continues tomorrow from 12noon at both the Airco Arena and University of Hull.

Results - First Round (Top Half): Allam British Open - PSA World Series Event

[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) bt James Willstrop (ENG) 3-1: 11-7, 5-11, 11-4, 11-7 (49m)

Borja Golan (ESP) bt Saurav Ghosal (IND) 3-0: 11-9, 11-9, 11-6 (53m)

Fares Dessouki (EGY) bt [Q] Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) 3-2: 11-2, 10-12, 7-11, 11-7, 11-5 (72m)

[7] Simon Rösner (GER) bt [Q] Ben Coleman (ENG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-6, 11-7 (40m)

Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) bt [6] Peter Barker (ENG) 3-0: 12-10, 11-2, 0-0 retired (27m)

Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) bt Alister Walker (BOT) 3-1: 10-12, 11-6, 11-5, 11-5 (43m)

Gregoire Marche (FRA) bt [Q] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 3-0: 11-3, 13-11, 11-5 (44m)

[3] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [Q] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) 3-1: 6-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-9 (61m)

Draw - First Round (Bottom Half)

[4] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) v Chris Simpson (ENG)

Cameron Pilley (AUS) v Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)

Stephen Coppinger (RSA) v [Q] Zahed Mohamed (EGY)

[WC] Adrian Waller (ENG) v [5] Tarek Momen (EGY)

[8] Omar Mosaad (EGY) v Max Lee (HKG)

Mazen Hesham (EGY) v [Q] Leo Au (HKG)

Daryl Selby (ENG) v [Q] Tom Richards (ENG)

[Q] Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) v [2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA)

For more information, contact:

Nathan Clarke | PSA PR & Communications Manager

+44 7885 638858 | nathan@psaworldtour.com

www.psaworldtour.com | www.psasquashtv.com

Facebook/psaworldtour | @PSAWorldTour

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