Simpson Heads English Saudi Successes

Guernsey's Chris Simpson led a group of five Englishmen who came through today's qualifying finals of the Saudi International at St George's Hill Club in Weybridge, England, and will now head to Saudi Arabia in October to compete in the richest squash tournament of the year in Al Khobar.

Simpson, the 2005 European Junior Champion, secured one of the biggest scalps of his career when he beat France's Renan Lavigne - ranked more than 20 places higher in the world - 11-6, 2-11, 11-6, 11-4 in 57 minutes.

"Lavigne was seeded to qualify and Simpson hung on in the fourth game to quash an attempted comeback by his spirited opponent - it was definitely the win of the day," said Danny Lee, Head Coach at the Surrey club.

Alister Walker, the number one in the St George's Hill's Premier Squash League (PSL) squad, delighted the local squash fans with a determined performance against fellow Englishman Chris Ryder. The World University champion looked to have the flow when he stormed through the fourth to level the match at two games all - but it was Walker who came out of the blocks faster in the fifth and, gamely though Ryder battled, the local hero's physical presence proved decisive in gaining the early lead.

Ryder was left pointless as Walker romped to a 5-11, 11-2, 11-10 (2-0), 6-11, 11-0 victory in 61 minutes.

Qualifying finals:
Hisham Mohd Ashour (EGY) bt Aaron Frankcomb (AUS) 11-7, 11-4, 11-3 (28m)
Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt Jonathan Harford (ENG) 11-9, 5-11, 11-6, 11-4 (45m)
Jonathan Kemp (ENG) bt Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) 11-10 (2-0), 11-6, 11-7 (26m)
Chris Simpson (ENG) bt Renan Lavigne (FRA) 11-6, 2-11, 11-6, 11-4 (57m)
Davide Bianchetti (ITA) bt Scott Handley (ENG) 11-10 (4-2), 11-8, 11-8 (43m)
Joey Barrington (ENG) bt Robbie Temple (ENG) 11-7, 11-5, 11-2 (25m)
Daryl Selby (ENG) bt Jan Koukal (CZE) 11-6, 11-3, 11-8 (37m)
Alister Walker (ENG) bt Chris Ryder (ENG) 5-11, 11-2, 11-10 (2-0), 6-11, 11-0 (61m)