Willstrop & Beachill To Clash In ISS Canary Wharf Classic

English trio James Willstrop, Lee Beachill and Adrian Grant advanced to the quarter-finals of the ISS Canary Wharf Classic after an eventful first round at the stylish East Wintergarden venue in London.

Number three seed Willstrop was made to fight all the way by English qualifier Daryl Selby before edging home 11-2, 7-11, 11-7, 11-10 (5-3) in 62 minutes.

Selby, 24, from Essex, gave a great account of himself on his debut performance in the 5-star PSA Tour event and thrilled the packed gallery with a succession of stunning shots, including two dazzling overhead volley kills.

Sadly he conceded the match on a miss-hit volley as Willstrop served for the match. In Wednesday's quarter-finals, Willstrop will be hunting his first ever victory over his Pontefract and England team-mate Beachill, the sixth seed from Yorkshire who eased past Canadian Shahier Razik in straight games.

Londoner Grant was made to fight all the way by Frenchman Renan Lavigne. In the longest match of the night, eighth seed Grant finally triumphed 9-11, 11-4, 10-11 (1-3), 11-5, 11-4 in 75 minutes of high quality squash.
Top seed Thierry Lincou, Lavigne's French compatriot, was surprised in the opening game by Australian qualifier Aaron Frankcomb before taking control to win 9-11, 11-3, 11-1, 11-8.

1st round results:
[1] Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt [Q] Aaron Frankcomb (AUS) 9-11, 11-3, 11-1, 11-8 (48m)
[8] Adrian Grant (ENG) bt Renan Lavigne (FRA) 9-11, 11-4, 10-11 (1-3), 11-5, 11-4 (75m)
[6] Lee Beachill (ENG) bt Shahier Razik (CAN) 11-6, 11-4, 11-6 (42m)
[4] James Willstrop (ENG) bt [Q] Daryl Selby (ENG) 11-2, 7-11, 11-7, 11-10 (5-3) (62m)