US Interest Alive In St Louis

Latasha Khan and Olivia Blatchford kept home hopes of success in the Women's Racquet Club Invitational alive after straight games wins in the opening round of the WISPA World Tour 8 squash event at The Racquet Club in St Louis, USA.

Second seed Khan, the world No31 from Seattle, despatched Canadian Genevieve Lessard 11-4, 11-6, 11-5 - while fourth seed Blatchford, the 18-year-old world No42 from New York, ousted Australian qualifier Heidi Mather 11-2, 11-8, 11-5.

Both now face Canadians in a bid to make the semi-finals - Khan will line up against sixth seed Miranda Ranieri and Blatchford eighth seed Stephanie Edmison.

Quarter-final line-up:
[1] Line Hansen (DEN) v [7] Samantha Cornett (CAN)
[4] Olivia Blatchford (USA) v [8] Stephanie Edmison (CAN)
[3] Victoria Lust (ENG) v [5] Nicolette Fernandes (GUY)
[2] Latasha Khan (USA) v [6] Miranda Ranieri (CAN)