Willstrop Upsets Palmer On Opening Day Of Super Series Finals

England's James Willstrop pulled off a sensational victory over Australia's No2 seed David Palmer on the opening day of the Brit Insurance Super Series Finals at London's Broadgate Arena tonight.

The 21-year-old Yorkshireman, making his debut appearance in the prestigious eight-man tournament, put in a phenomenal performance against the 2001 champion to record a 65-minute 7-11 11-3 11-9 6-11 11-7 victory in their opening Harrow Group match.

"That was pretty awesome," said fifth seed Willstrop, who was voted Young Player of the Year at last week's World Squash Awards. "I was just happy the way I played. It was fast, though it's cold here tonight, so in a way it suits the way I play. It was weird squash, but enjoyable when you win."

In the first all-English clash of the tournament, third seed Lee Beachill defeated Sheffield's No6 seed Nick Matthew 3-2 to get his title challenge off to winning start.

In a hard-fought Harrow Group encounter Beachill, No2 in the May world rankings, twice went ahead yet on each occasion saw his lead disappear as Matthew drew level to take the match into a fifth and deciding game. From then on, however, Beachill dominated, conceding just two points in six minutes to take the match 11-4, 9-11, 11-6, 10-11, 11-2.

England's Peter Nicol got his campaign off to a flying start with an impressive 3-1 victory over Egypt's Amr Shabana.

Making a record 10th appearance at the event, Nicol lost the first game 8-11 but fought back brilliantly to take the next three in just over half an hour, moving superbly around the court to kill off the challenge of the 2003 World Champion.

"My game is getting better," said Nicol, who slipped to No5 in the May world rankings - his lowest position for 10 years. "I struggled last year but since the start of this year I've been getting better and better. I'm fitter, stronger and more disciplined and I'm enjoying it more again, so it's all coming together nicely."

Nicol's win puts him at the top of the Fleet Group alongside No.1 seed, Thierry Lincou, who launched his title defence in perfect fashion with a solid 3-1 victory over the eighth seed Jonathon Power.

The 29-year-old Frenchman wrapped up an 11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9 victory in 72 minutes to put a serious dent in Power's title ambitions.

"I was terrible today," said Power, winner of a sixth Canadian National title last weekend. "I really wasn't in good shape at all. It was too bad I had to play Thierry first day because I was really tired and stiff from my week in Toronto. But, it's ok, I can still win my next two matches and get in and win the tournament."

Lincou was thrilled to avenge the defeat he suffered at the hands of Power in the quarter-finals of last month's Bermuda Masters. "He's really unpredictable," said the world No1. "When he's really on form he can beat anyone on the circuit. I think today I played it pretty tight and didn't give him many opportunities to attack the ball."

1st qualifying round:

Fleet group:
[1] Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt [8] Jonathon Power (CAN) 11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9 (72m)
[4] Peter Nicol (ENG) bt [7] Amr Shabana (EGY) 8-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-5 (44m)
Harrow group:
[3] Lee Beachill (ENG) bt [6] Nick Matthew (ENG) 11-4, 9-11, 11-6, 10-11 (0-2), 11-2 (65m)
[5] James Willstrop (ENG) bt [2] David Palmer (AUS) 7-11, 11-3, 11-9, 6-11, 11-7 (65m)