Jenson Makes White See Black In Boston

Scotland's fifth seed John White became the first major casualty on the opening day's play in the US Open in Boston when he was dismissed in straight games by Australian qualifier Dan Jenson.

White, a former semi-finalist, arrived in the US direct from Slovakia where he had contested the final of the European Championship - but he was no match for the 29-year-old from Adelaide who has just returned to the world top 20 after a four-year absence.

Jenson went up 4-1 in the first game, but White came right back and the score was evenly-balanced until Jenson pulled ahead 9-6. A stroke to White made it 9-7, but it was too little too late and Jenson took the game 11-7. In game two, Jenson's ability to retrieve the ball was clearly putting White on edge and the Australian soon went 2/0 up.

White scored just once in the quick third game, and after just 39 minutes of play the awesome Aussie had earned a berth in the quarter-finals with an 11-7 11-9 11-1 triumph.

While White was left to reflect on the sixth PSA Tour event this year in which he has failed to achieve his seeding, former world No5 Jenson said: "Earlier in the year, I wasn¹t having the greatest of tournaments. But this past month it's all come together. I'm moving well, my body feels great and I'm getting results."

Canada's unseeded Graham Ryding also earned an upset when he despatched Egypt's world champion Amr Shabana, fighting back from a game down to beat the sixth seed 6-11 11-1 11-8 11-8 in 50 minutes.

"I'm playing some of my best squash and am quite confident," agreed the 29-year-old world No17 from Toronto afterwards. "Regardless, I never really relaxed during the match, but I had a game plan, executed it and now I'm going to the quarterfinals - yes, I'm happy," he concluded.

In earlier matches, England's world No8 Nick Matthew enjoyed a 11-3 11-9 11-8 victory over qualifier Renan Lavigne - after which the Frenchman conceded "I lacked confidence and Nick knew it" - and eighth-seeded Australian Joseph Kneipp defeated Egypt's Omar Elborolossy 11-7 11-4 11-5.

World No10 Kneipp, runner-up in the Super Series Finals earlier in the year, attributed his success to his technical game. "With my brother (Dan) back at university, I've taken the great physical discipline he taught me and am now working with Ronnie Martin on my technical game. I think it¹s working!"

The remaining first round matches take place at the Boston Symphony Hall today.

1st round:
[7] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [Q] Renan Lavigne (FRA) 11-3, 11-9, 11-8 (44m)
[8] Joseph Kneipp (AUS) bt Omar Elborolossy (EGY) 11-7, 11-4, 11-5 (32m)
[Q] Dan Jenson (AUS) bt [5] John White (SCO) 11-7, 11-9, 11-1 (39m)
Graham Ryding (CAN) bt [6] Amr Shabana (EGY) 6-11, 11-1, 11-8, 11-8 (50m)