Parke Progresses In Vancouver

Celebrating her illustrious older brother Simon Parke's 35th birthday in fine style, English qualifier Emma Parke battled to a notable victory in the first round of the Women's Sun & Surf Jericho Open when she upset No7 seed Karina Herrera Zuniga to claim an unexpected place in the quarter-finals of the WISPA World Tour squash event at Jericho Tennis Club in Vancouver, Canada.

The 33-year-old from Yorkshire, now a PE teacher in Vancouver, beat the Mexican 7-9, 9-6, 9-3, 9-7 and will now face top seed Latasha Khan for a place in the semi-finals.

Khan, the seven-times US national champion from Seattle, dismissed Canada's Rebecca Hazell 9-2, 9-0, 9-0.

There was a disappointing return to WISPA Tour action after almost two years for Khan's sister, however, when qualifier Shabana Khan went down 9-1, 9-1, 9-2 to Canada's No3 seed Alana Miller.

Miller, in her first WISPA event since securing a surprise silver medal in the Pan American Games last month in Brazil, will face compatriot Tara Mullins in the next round.

1st round:
[1] Latasha Khan (USA) bt Rebecca Hazell (CAN) 9-2, 9-0, 9-0
[Q] Emma Parke (ENG) bt [7] Karina Herrera Zuniga (MEX) 7-9, 9-6, 9-3, 9-7
[3] Alana Miller (CAN) bt [Q] Shabana Khan (USA) 9-1, 9-1, 9-2
[5] Tara Mullins (CAN) bt Leona Grigg (CAN) 9-2, 9-1, 9-1
[8] Birgit Coufal (AUT) bt Stephanie Edmison (CAN) 9-4, 9-1, 7-9, 6-9, 9-5
[4] Carolyn Russell (CAN) bt [Q] Kyla Grigg (CAN) 9-6, 9-2, 4-9, 9-3
[6] Emma Beddoes (ENG) bt [Q] Nicola Martin (CAN) 9-1, 9-3, 9-0
[2] Runa Reta (CAN) bt Ashley Clackson (CAN) 9-2, 9-2, 9-4