Rafael Extends Rodney In Cleveland

Sixth seed Rodney Durbach claimed his predicted place in the last eight of the Cleveland Classic in Ohio, USA - but not without an 82-minute battle against unseeded Rafael F Alarcon in which the Brazilian star stretched him to four games.

Durbach showed his consistency and rallying ability in the toughest and longest match of the night and ultimately triumphed 11-7 6-11 11-4 11-9. The England-based South African next meets third seed Paul Price after the Australian brushed aside French qualifier Laurent Elriani 11-8 11-5 11-3 in 32 minutes.

Favourite Jonathon Power, the world No9 from Canada playing his third PSA Tour event of the month, dominated his match against English qualifier Julian Wellings from the start, with variations in pace and great ball control. Power won 11-4 11-5 11-1 in 32 minutes to set up a quarter-final clash with Scotland's seventh seed Martin Heath.

The Cleveland club coach Scott Denne enjoyed the biggest crowd of the night as he took on Italy's fifth seed Davide Bianchetti. The Australian showed glimpses of brilliance at times but Bianchetti was just too consistent and his length was too good for the club's professional, who went down 11-3 11-5 11-5 in 38 minutes.

"It's bloody hard to organise this thing and play at the same time," said Denne in his thick "Aussie" accent. He later added that he also wished that he was 10 years younger!

1st round:
[1] Jonathon Power (CAN) bt [Q] Julian Wellings (ENG) 11-4, 11-5, 11-1 (32m)
[7] Martin Heath (SCO) bt [Q] David Phillips (CAN) 11-6, 11-5, 11-5 (35m)
[4] Dan Jenson (AUS) bt Dylan Bennett (NED) 11-7, 11-2, 11-8 (30m)
[8] Shahier Razik (CAN) bt [Q] Ben Howell (ENG) 11-7, 11-8, 11-8 (34m)
[6] Rodney Durbach (RSA) bt Rafael F Alarcon (BRA) 11-7, 6-11, 11-4, 11-9 (82m)
[3] Paul Price (AUS) bt [Q] Laurent Elriani (FRA) 11-8, 11-5, 11-3 (32m)
[5] Davide Bianchetti (ITA) bt Scott Denne (AUS) 11-3, 11-5, 11-5 (38m)
[2] Graham Ryding (CAN) bt Cameron Pilley (AUS) 11-2, 7-11, 11-5, 11-6 (72m)