March 24, 2002	Sunday	Muharram 9, 1423

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LAHORE, March 23: The world No 2 David Palmer of Australia, stormed into the next round of the 19th Pakistan Open Squash Championship by defeating qualifier Mansoor Zaman in three straight games at the Fortress Stadium on Saturday.

With Mansoor Zaman’s defeat, three Pakistani players out of a total of four, have been ousted from the competition. The other two joining Mansoor were Muhammad Ilyas and Aijaz Azmat. Wild card entry Amjad Khan’s match was in progress when this report was filed.

Lanky David Palmer looked in a hurry while clinching his first match of the event which lasted only 26 minutes. Palmer carved out victory 15-6, 15-3, 15-8.

Tipped to meet the top seed Peter Nicol of England in the final of this competition, Palmer played like a true champion. His court-craft and powerful back hand shots earned him several points which frustrated the erratic Mansoor who began the game in a reckless manner.

Palmer took only 10 minutes to win the first game as Mansoor failed to prevent the Aussie from building up the points.

Continuing to keep up the pressure Palmer was more offensive in the second game. He needed just six minutes to double the lead by winning the game 15-3. Showing absolutely no mercy, Palmer completed victory by winning the third game 15-8 in 10 minutes.

Earlier, at the Punjab Squash Complex court, World No 15, from Del Harris from England worked hard to topple qualifier Aijaz Azmat from Pakistan in four games.

The score in Harris’s favour was 13-15, 15-5, 15-8, 15-13.

Aijaz tried hard to make a match of it, but his stamina let him down with unforced errors contributing to his downfall. He was completely exhausted in the fourth game but continued to fight back desperately to stem the tide, leading 11-8 in the final game. Harris however, a more superior rival caught up a 13-13 and with two winners sealed the fate of the match.

In the opening game, Aijaz trailing 5-10, caught up with Harris 12-12, with elegant forehand and drop shots. Harris with a couple of unforced errors paid the penalty as Aijaz with two fine cross court shots grabbed the first game 15-13 after 20 minutes.

A game down Harris came back strongly on even keel winning the next game 15-5 in 11 minutes. Gaining momentum, Harris went ahead 2-1, by picking up the third game 15-8 in 17 minutes.

Although exhausted, Aijaz put up a spirited fightback and caught up with the English player 5-5. Then for the first time in the fourth game, Aijaz with powerful forehand shots breezed ahead 8-5 and increased his lead 13-9 as Harris hit the tin twice.

Harris then argued with the referee for a point but the referee stuck to his decision of “let” and it now seemed that Aijaz would take the match into the fifth game.

But Harris showing no mercy launched a gallant recovery and picking up six points on the trot, won the game and the match which lasted 68 minutes.

Qualifier Amr Shabana from Egypt caused a big upset an upset when he toppled the world No 5 Stewart Bosewell from Australia, in straight games. Shabana came through a 15-9, 15-11, 15-10 victor.

Bosewell took a 4-2 lead in the first game. However, several unforced errors allowed Shabana to earn useful points. Keeping Bosewell at bay, Shabana continued pile up the points winning the first game 15-9.

Maintaining the pressure with fine strokes, Shabana picked up the second game 15-11, and picking up the third frame 15-10, came through a delighted winner.

World No 15, Paul Johnson (England) also faced a good fight before disposing off Tomy Berden, the world No 24 from The Netherlands 3-1. Johnson won 15-6, 15-9, 8-15, 15-8.

Starting the match in a stormy fashion Johnson won the first two games with great ease 15-6, 15-9. But his Dutch opponent came back with some splendid backhand shots in the third game to cut down the deficit 1-2, after picking up the game 15-8. But it was to be Berden’s last challenge as the Englishman bagged the fourth game and match 15-8.

Ong Beng Hee from Malaysia, the world No.7 seed was declared winner after Stefan Casteleyan (Belgium) conceded the match after trailing 11-1 in the first game. Casteleyan faced a back problem and took the decision of conceding the match.

On late Friday night, qualifier Muhammad Ilyas (Pakistan) lost to Mark Chaloner (England) 15-5, 15-9, 15-4. In other matches John White (England) ousted Wael El Hindi (Egypt) 15-10, 12-15, 15-11, 15-12, and Anthony Ricketts (Australia) proved too good for Dean Jensen (Australia) 15-7, 6-15, 15-8, 15-12.

Following are the results on Saturday.

Amr Shabana (Egypt) bt Stewart Bosewell (Australia) 15-9, 15-11, 15-10. Paul Johnson (England) bt Tomy Berden (Netherlands) 15-6, 15-9, 8-15, 15-8. Ong Beng Hee (Malaysia) was declared winner after Stefan Casteleyn (Belgium) conceded the match in first game at 11-1. Del Harris (England) bt Aijaz Azmat (Pakistan) 13-15, 15-5, 15-8, 15-13. David Palmer (Australia) bt Mansoor Zaman (Pakistan) 15-6, 15-3, 15-8.

Late Friday’s result: Anthony Ricketts (Australia) bt Dan Jansen (Australia) 15-7, 6-15, 15-8, 15-12.