Borja Powers Through In Portland

Spanish number one Borja Golan had to fight back from 2/1 down to overcome Australia's Dan Jenson in the Evergreen Oregon Open in what was described as the "highlight" first round match of the 3-star PSA Tour event at Multomah Athletic Club in Portland in the US state of Oregon.

The third seed dominated the first game, punishing Jenson with the tight balls to the front court after long, tough rallies. The unseeded Australian started the second game well, moving up to game-ball at 10-9. Golan evened the score at 10-all on a stroke, but Jenson took the next two points to close out the game.

The 31-year-old from Adelaide continued his strong play in the third, playing to great width to take the game and go ahead in the match. In the fourth, however, the 24-year-old from Santiago struck back to lead 9-5 - but Jenson closed the gap to 9-9. Jenson, a former world No5, controlled the next rally, but hit the tin on a cross-court drop to give Golan game ball. The Spaniard closed out the game on a controversial stroke call - then in the fifth continued to punish Jenson to secure the match 11-3, 10-11 (0-2), 8-11, 11-9, 11-5 after 70 minutes.

By contrast, Golan's opponent in the quarter-finals survived the shortest first round match - beating Colombian qualifier Bernardo Samper 11-8, 11-1, 11-2 in just 35 minutes.

England's second seed Peter Barker disappointed local crowds when he beat Portland squash hero Julian Illingworth, the US National champion, 11-7, 11-5, 11-5. Barker's opponent in the next round will another north American, eighth seed Matthew Giuffre, who beat fellow Canadian Shawn Delierre 9-11, 11-4, 11-3, 11-8 in 60 minutes.

1st round:
[1] Mohd Azlan Iskandar (MAS) bt [Q] David Phillips (CAN) 11-6, 11-4, 11-6 (40m)
[6] Shahier Razik (CAN) bt [Q] Yasser El Halaby (EGY) 11-3, 11-10 (2-0), 11-8 (45m)
[3] Borja Golan (ESP) bt Dan Jenson (AUS) 11-3, 10-11 (0-2), 8-11, 11-9, 11-5 (70m)
[5] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt [Q] Bernardo Samper (COL) 11-8, 11-1, 11-2 (35m)
[7] Bradley Ball (ENG) bt [Q] Jan Koukal (CZE) 11-6, 11-8, 5-11, 11-6 (65m)
[4] Joey Barrington (ENG) bt Amr Mansi (EGY) 11-4, 11-2, 7-11, 11-9 (70m)
[8] Matthew Giuffre (CAN) bt Shawn Delierre (CAN) 9-11, 11-4, 11-3, 11-8 (60m)
[2] Peter Barker (ENG) bt Julian Illingworth (USA) 11-7, 11-5, 11-5 (40m)