Home Hero Illingworth Makes Berkshire Quarters

US squash star Julian Illingworth celebrated his best match win in more than a year when he upset fourth seed Stephen Coppinger in the first round of the Berkshire Open, the PSA World Tour International 35 event in its eighth year at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, USA.

"Julian continues to show improvement, and his control of the court and the points evidences the professionalism of his dedication to his craft," said tournament organiser Zafi Levy, the college's Head Squash Coach. "No longer the talented US kid who is giving a run at the game after an Ivy education, Julian is now a hardened pro with serious world-class credentials and a steadily improving ranking to go with them."

Illingworth, ranked 36 in the world, recovered from a game down to beat Coppinger, the world No26 from South Africa, 8-11, 13-11, 11-6, 11-6 in 70 minutes.

"While his four-gamer over Coppinger was an upset on paper, Julian's level of play was a touch higher than Steve's in every category, although if Steve had converted one of his game-ball opportunities at 10-7 in the second (or later that same game at 11-10) to secure a 2/0 lead, the outcome might have been different," added Levy.

Illingworth, the record eight-time US national champion from New York, goes on to meet Yasir Butt after the Pakistani won eight points in a row from 2-6 down in the fifth game to beat higher-ranked Mexican Arturo Salazar 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-3, 11-9 in 56 minutes.

Top-ranked Colombian Miguel Angel Rodriguez denied the crowd double US interest in the last eight when he beat New York qualifier Christopher Gordon 11-7, 12-10, 11-7.

"Watching Chris Gordon battle one of the most dynamic and electric players on tour, it was hard to believe that his world ranking is only #81," explained Levy. "While the 3/0 game scores suggests otherwise, the length of the match at 44 minutes tells the true story. He contested with unqualified hustle, solid shot selection and total responsibility to his talent, playing within himself and affecting total commitment to.

"But, in Rodriguez he faced a whirlwind of energy and racquet work; his quickness, strength over the ball and shot-selection creativity make him a force to be reckoned with."

Rodriguez, the world No28 from Bogota, now takes on second seed Tom Richards for a place in the last four.

Englishman Richards, the 25-year-old world No15 from Surrey, was stretched to four games and 65 minutes before quashing the challenge of India's Siddharth Suchde 7-11, 11-4, 11-8, 12-10.

Quarter-final line-up:
[1] Alister Walker (BOT) v [Q] Olivier Pett (ENG)
[3] Borja Golan (ESP) v Shawn Delierre (CAN)
Julian Illingworth (USA) v Yasir Butt (PAK)
[2] Tom Richards (ENG) v Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)

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