Illingworth Ousted as Casteleyn Claims US Open Qualifier

US hope Julian Illingworth's bid to reach the main draw of a PSA Super Series squash event for the second time this year on home soil failed when he went down in four games to Belgium's Stefan Casteleyn in the qualifying finals of the US Open in New York City.

The experienced Belgian, now coaching in New York, used a dazzling array of shots to thwart US champion Illingworth in the 58-minute clash. Casteleyn, cleverly mixing boasts and drop shots, never let Illingworth establish any rhythm en route to his surprise 11-8, 11-5, 2-11, 11-6 victory.

The 33-year-old from Brussels, who retired from the Tour early last year, now advances to the main draw of the $120,000 Super Series Platinum tournament to face Amr Shabana, the world number one from Egypt who is the event favourite.

England's Alister Walker came from two games behind to defeat Egyptian Omar Elborolossy 9-11, 10-11 (0-2), 11-8, 11-7, 11-1 in 83 minutes, while his compatriot Joey Barrington defeated Hungarian Mark Krajcsak 11-2, 11-2, 11-5 in 53 minutes.

Barrington is drawn to face 12th seed Mohammed Abbas for the second time this month. The 27-year-old son of squash legend Jonah Barrington extended the Egyptian to five games in the opening round of the British Open before going down in a 70-minute encounter.

Further English qualifying successes came from Daryl Selby and Jonathan Kemp. Selby outlasted Colombian star Miguel Angel Rodriguez 11-9, 8-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9 in a 120-minute marathon, while Kemp despatched Dutchman Dylan Bennett 11-9, 11-8, 11-7 in just 31 minutes.

Australia's Scott Arnold will make his debut in a Super Series event after an impressive 6-11, 11-8, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6 victory over Indian Ritwik Bhattacharya in 66 minutes. The 21-year-old from Brisbane will now face the sport's rising star Ramy Ashour, the 19-year-old second seed from Egypt who already has five PSA Tour title successes to his name this year.

But interest in the first US Open to be held in New York since 1991 is likely to be led by third seed Gregory Gaultier. The 24-year-old from Aix-en-Provence is the defending champion - but, earlier this month, also became the first Frenchman in the event's 77-year history to win the British Open crown.

Qualifying finals:
Alister Walker (ENG) bt Omar Elborolossy (EGY) 9-11, 10-11 (0-2), 11-8, 11-7, 11-1 (83m)
Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt Saurav Ghosal (IND) 11-5, 11-5, 11-1 (21m)
Renan Lavigne (FRA) bt Stacey Ross (ENG) 11-8, 11-6, 11-1 (37m)
Stefan Casteleyn (BEL) bt Julian Illingworth (USA) 11-8, 11-5, 2-11, 11-6 (58m)
Daryl Selby (ENG) bt Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) 11-9, 8-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9 (120m)
Jonathan Kemp (ENG) bt Dylan Bennett (NED) 11-9, 11-8, 11-7 (31m)
Scott Arnold (AUS) bt Ritwik Bhattacharya (IND) 6-11, 11-8, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6 (66m)
Joey Barrington (ENG) bt Mark Krajcsak (HUN) 11-2, 11-2, 11-5 (53m)