Gordon Provides Home Interest In Merritt Open

A four-game win by Christopher Gordon in the qualifying finals of the Merritt Properties Open ensured US interest in the first round of the $40,000 PSA Tour squash event at the Merritt Athletic Club in Baltimore.

The 22-year-old from New York defeated Canadian David Phillips 3-11, 11-8, 13-11, 11-9 and will now line up against US-based favourite David Palmer in the opening round. The 32-year-old four-time British Open champion from Australia is expected to reach the 50th PSA Tour final of his career in the Baltimore championship.

Irishman Liam Kenny denied double US interest in the event when he beat Gilly Lane 11-7, 9-11, 4-11, 12-10, 11-5. The Dublin-based 30-year-old now faces Australian Stewart Boswell, the third seed.

Fifth seed John White will be aiming to win the title for the second time in three years. The US-based Scot - one of two former world number ones in the event - meets Mexican Eric Galvez in the opening round.

A victory would be likely to take White into a quarter-final clash with Peter Barker, the second seed from England who celebrates his 25th birthday on the second day of the tournament.

London left-hander Barker, who faces a first round clash with Egyptian Omar Abdel Aziz, arrives in Baltimore fresh from his title triumph in last week's Chicago Open.

Qualifying finals:
Liam Kenny (IRL) bt Gilly Lane (USA) 11-7, 9-11, 4-11, 12-10, 11-5
Christopher Gordon (USA) bt David Phillips (CAN) 3-11, 11-8, 13-11, 11-9
Jonathan Harford (ENG) bt Wade Johnstone (AUS) 10-12, 11-2, 12-10, 7-11, 11-7
Chris Simpson (ENG) bt John Rooney (IRL) 11-6, 11-7, 5-11, 11-4