Waller & Simpson Boost Home Grand Prix Interest

Englishmen Adrian Waller and Chris Simpson will boost home interest in the main draw of the Springfield Solutions British Grand Prix in Manchester after claiming straight games victories in the qualifying finals of the PSA World Tour International 70 squash event at the Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash Club in Wolverhampton.

In the opening match of the evening, Waller overcome compatriot Chris Ryder after an epic first game which finally concluded in a 17-15 victory for the tall left-hander in 25-minutes. The effect of Ryder's recent illness took its toll as he became slower on the ball and the following two games were more straightforward with Waller concluding the match 12-10, 11-5.

Guernsey-born Simpson ended the brave run of fellow countryman Joe Lee - the London-born 22-year-old who produced the biggest shock in the first round by ousting Scotland's Alan Clyne. The game was played in great spirit with both players ensuring that the referee's job was easy - with Simpson easing to an 11-6, 11-6, 11-5 win in 50 minutes.

A significant upset took place on an adjacent court where Mathieu Castagnet, the world No37 from France, battled for exactly an hour to overcome Egypt's Marwan El Shorbagy, the reigning world junior champion ranked 11 places higher, 14-12, 12-10, 11-7.

In the only match which went the full distance, India's Saurav Ghosal, fresh from a bye in the previous round, dashed local hopes by beating Wolverhampton-born Jonathan Kemp 5-11, 11-4, 11-8, 5-11, 11-9 in 54 minutes.

Updated 1st round draw:
[1] James Willstrop (ENG) v Daryl Selby (ENG)
Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) v Jens Schoor (GER)
Simon Rosner (GER) v [Q] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v [Q] Adrian Waller (ENG)
[4] Peter Barker (ENG) v Borja Golan (ESP)
Adrian Grant (ENG) v [Q] Saurav Ghosal (IND)
Alister Walker (BOT) v [Q] Chris Simpson (ENG)
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) v Tom Richards (ENG)

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