Illingworth & Prockop Reach Berkshire Main Draw

US interest in the Berkshire Open will be boosted in both the men's and women's events after success by Julian Illingworth and Hope Prockop in the qualifying finals in Williamstown, Mass.

Illingworth, the US national champion from Yale, beat Australia's Raj Nanda 11-7, 6-11, 11-9, 11-1 and will now face Dutchman Laurens Jan Anjema, the top seed, in the main draw.

Hope Prockop, from Groton, Mass, took 45 minutes to overcome compatriot Toby Eyre 9-3, 9-5, 2-9, 10-8 to set up a first round encounter with New Zealand's sixth seed Louise Crome.

Men's qualifying finals:
Chris Ryder (ENG) bt Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) 11-2, 11-4, 11-0 (25m)
Regardt Schonborn (RSA) bt Wade Johnstone (AUS) 11-10 (5-3), 11-1, 7-11, 11-9 (55m)
Amr Ramzy Swelim (EGY) bt David Phillips (CAN) 11-9, 10-11 (0-2), 7-11, 11-3, 11-5 (55m)
Julian Illingworth (USA) bt Raj Nanda (AUS) 11-7, 6-11, 11-9, 11-1 (45m)

Women's qualifying finals:
Sachiko Shinta (JPN) bt Fernanda Rocha (ARG) 9-3, 9-3, 6-9, 9-4 (40m)
Neha Kumar (CAN) bt Jo-Ann Jee (MAS) 9-5, 8-10, 9-4, 9-2 (40m)
Hope Prockop (USA) bt Toby Eyre (USA) 9-3, 9-5, 2-9, 10-8 (45m)
Lauren Polonich (CAN) bt Ashley Clackson (CAN) 1-9, 9-5, 9-6, 9-4 (55m)