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KARACHI, Dec 1: Pakistan’s only hope left in the ongoing prestigious World open squash championship, Shahid Zaman fell in the second round when he was trounced by Englishman Peter Nicol in straight sets on Thursday in Hong Kong. Former world No1 and sixth seed, Nicol took only 24 minutes to quash Pakistan No1 11-6, 11-8, 11-5 and book his berth in the quarterfinals of the US$175000 event.
Shahid looked hapless against overwhelming English player who, with his brilliant shots, did not allow respite to him throughout the match.
Only two Pakistani players Shahid Zaman and Mansoor Zaman featured in main rounds of the coveted event. Mansoor lost to Karim Darwish (Egypt) earlier in the first round match.
Meanwhile, world No1 Theirry Lincou sailed into the last eight stage after beating 10th seed compatriot Gregory Gaultier while the second seed Jonathan Power (Canada) crushed Australian qualifier Stewart Boswell to reach the quarterfinals.
Third seed David Palmer (Australia) and fourth seed Lee Beachill (England) also entered the last-8 stage after winning their respective second round matches.
Palmer prevailed over Azlan Isakandar (Malaysia) while Lee took 73 minutes to overcome Scottish John White 3-1.
It was a good day for all the top seeds as top women’s players also enjoyed victories in the second round.
Top seed, Richeal Grinham (Australia), second seed Vanissa Atkinson (the Netherlands), third seed Malaysian Nicol David and forth seed Natalie Grinham also advanced to the quarterfinals.
Second round results:
Women: Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt Rebecca Chiu (HKG) 9-1, 9-3, 9-4; Madeline Perry (IRL) bt Jenny Duncalf (ENG) 9-0, 9-6, 8-10, 1-9, 9-5; Natalie Grinham (AUS) bt Annelize Naude (NED) 9-4, 6-9, 9-0, 9-4; Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) bt Tegwen Malik (WAL) 9-4, 6-9, 9-1, 6-9, 9-3; Linda Elriani (ENG) bt Laura-Jane Lengthorn (ENG) 9-3, 9-4, 9-6; Nicol David (MAS) bt Tania Bailey (ENG ) 9-6, 9-5, 9-7; Vicky Botwright (ENG) bt Alison Waters (ENG) 10-8, 9-4, 7-9, 7-9, 9-2; Vanessa Atkinson (NED) bt Isabelle Stoehr (FRA x15) 9-5, 9-10, 9-2, 9-2
Men: Thierry Lincou (FRA ) bt Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 7-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-4, 11-8; Peter Nicol (ENG) bt Shahid Zaman (PAK ) 11-6, 11-8, 11-5; Lee Beachill (ENG) bt John White (SCO) 11-6, 11-3, 10-11, 11-5; Amr Shabana (EGY) bt Olli Tuominen (FIN) 11-3, 11-2, 11-8; Anthony Ricketts (AUS) bt Karim Darwish (EGY) 11-8, 11-9, 11-3; David Palmer (AUS x3) bt Mohammed Azlan Iskandar (MAS x13) 11-7, 11-9, 11-7; James Willstrop (ENG ) bt Nick Matthew (ENG) 7-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-5; Jonathon Power (CAN) bt Stewart Boswell (AUS) 11-8, 5-11, 11-5, 11-9.—Agencies
