Illingworth In Historic Tournament of Champions Breakthrough

Julian Illingworth, the US National Champion who secured a slot in the main draw of the Bear Stearns Tournament of Champions as a 'lucky loser', made squash history in New York when he became the first American ever to move into the second round of a Professional Squash Association Super Series tournament.

"I am really grateful that I took advantage of this lucky break," said the 22-year-old from Portland, Oregon, after fighting back from two games down to defeat qualifier Dan Jenson on the second day of first round action in the $70,000 event in its tenth year at Grand Central Terminal.

Showing no signs of the effects of two five-game matches in the qualifying draw, Illingworth displayed remarkable self-assurance for a player who has been on the professional tour for less than a year. "I knew that I was fitter than Dan, and if I could keep him out there long enough, I could win the match," said Illingworth after beating the former world No5 from Australia 6-11, 4-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-10 (2-0) in 76 minutes.

After dropping the first two games, Illingworth stepped up in the third, literally and figuratively, as he moved forward in the court and began attacking more balls. After he snatched the third and won the fourth comfortably, the fifth was a seesaw battle. Although the experienced Australian took a quick 4-1 lead, Illingworth evened the score at 5-5 and the lead changed hands every other point from then on.

To add to the drama, the young American broke a string in his racquet mid-game. Coming off court to get a new racquet, Illingworth was clearly disconcerted. He had lost two of his three racquets the night before and the only racquet left in his bag was one he had borrowed from a friend and never used himself.

But on returning to the court, Illingworth focused on winning the match. At 9-9, he hit a drop winner for his first match ball but he couldn't convert. A volley winner gave him his second match point and then a drop shot earned Illingworth the game, a standing ovation from the packed stands - and a second round berth against No2 seed David Palmer.

And his friend John Fulham, who had lent Illingworth the racquet with which he ultimately won the match, told him he could keep it!

Palmer, the world champion from Australia who watched the end of Illingworth's match with great interest, quickly dispatched English qualifier Mark Heather 11-5, 11-6, 11-7.

England's Lee Beachill, in his first match since withdrawing from last week's British National Championships after sustaining a freak neck injury in practice, also from had no trouble with qualifier Miguel Angel Rodriguez. Despite losing in straight games, the young Colombian delighted the crowd with several behind-the-back shots. Eighth seed Beachill will play Finland's Olli Tuominen, the tenth seed, who made short work of Indian event debutant Saurav Ghosal 11-5, 11-3, 11-8.

The evening crowd was hopeful for another American victory when 20-year-old Christopher Gordon, the tournament's wild card entry, took the first game from Borja Golan. But the 11th seed quickly rebounded to win the next three games 11-6, 11-4, 11-7. The Spaniard will face Anthony Ricketts, the 2005 champion, who had no trouble with Belgium's Stefan Casteleyn. Third seed Thierry Lincou, who defeated his best friend and French compatriot Renan Lavigne in four games, will take on Ireland's Liam Kenny, who outlasted England's Joey Barrington in an 88-minute five-game victory.

1st round (2nd day's play):
[11] Borja Golan (ESP) bt Christopher Gordon (USA) 10-11 (1-3), 11-6, 11-4, 11-7 (59m)
[7] Anthony Ricketts (AUS) bt [Q] Stefan Casteleyn (BEL) 11-9, 11-6, 11-5 (31m)
Liam Kenny (IRL) bt [13] Joey Barrington (ENG) 11-3, 11-5, 1-11, 5-11, 11-8 (88m)
[3] Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt Renan Lavigne (FRA) 8-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-7 (46m)
[10] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt [Q] Saurav Ghosal (IND) 11-5, 11-3, 11-8 (32m)
[8] Lee Beachill (ENG) bt [Q] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) 11-7, 11-5, 11-1 (33m)
Julian Illingworth (USA) bt [Q] Dan Jenson (AUS) 6-11, 4-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-10 (2-0) (76m)
[2] David Palmer (AUS) bt [Q] Mark Heather (ENG) 11-5, 11-6, 11-7 (30m)