Beachill Survives Longest Match Of His Life To Reach Dunlop British Open Second Round

Though the referee's score sheet recorded the match time as 36 minutes, it was almost 23 hours after beginning his first round battle with qualifier Phillip Barker that fellow Englishman Lee Beachill, the second seed, confirmed his place in the last sixteen of the Dunlop British Open Squash Championships tonight at the National Squash Centre in Manchester.

The Yorkshireman was within two points of establishing a two-games-to-love lead on Tuesday evening when a fire in an adjacent building caused a power cut which ruled out further play for the day in the National Squash Centre.

"At the time, I was disappointed by the interruption - but when I woke up this morning, I was quite pleased to have another workout today, especially as my next round match is on Friday," said Britain's leading hope in the event after his 11-8 11-9 11-2 victory.

"I was also a lot happier with the way I played tonight than I was yesterday - but I've obviously now got a tough second round match to look forward to," added Beachill.

The England number one's opponent will be Australian qualifier Stewart Boswell, the former world No4 who took another significant step forward in his comeback trail this year by beating Pakistan's 16th seed Mansoor Zaman 11-2 11-8 11-2 in 29 minutes.

Whilst Boswell's match was also delayed by the NSC power cut, it started and finished tonight - but was played on the Centre's all-glass showcourt instead of the scheduled conventional court.

"That was great for me - playing on the all-glass court - so I was happy with my match being delayed a day," admitted the 27-year-old from Canberra who become the second qualifier to make it through to the second round.

"I can't remember the last time I played Lee, but we came through juniors together so we know each other well," added Boswell, whose spectacular comeback after a mystery back ailment has included eight PSA Tour titles since April this year.

"It's great to be back in the British Open again - and if I can beat Lee, it will be the furthest I've ever got in the event," said the Aussie.

The first match in the unscheduled programme on the day originally planned as a 'rest day' featured the remaining women's qualifying final between London's Alison Waters and Manchester's Rebecca Botwright.

Waters, the world No16, was one game and 6-0 up against the younger sister of sixth seed Vicky Botwright when play resumed after the interruption.

There was no way back for Botwright junior, however, as the in-form Waters raced to a 9-4 9-1 9-4 win in 24 minutes - and a place in Friday's first round against second seed Vanessa Atkinson, the world champion from the Netherlands.

"I just wish I could have found another court to finish the match that night," said a disappointed Beccy after the match which began on a plaster court, and was completed on the Centre's all-glass showcourt.

"I didn't have the chance to practice on the all-glass court either - though it was the same for both of us, so I'm not complaining."

Thursday's programme begins at midday with the first round women's match between Australia's defending champion Rachael Grinham and Scottish qualifier Pamela Nimmo, followed by the men's second round match featuring France's world No1 Thierry Lincou and Welsh champion Alex Gough.

Men's 1st round:
[Q] Stewart Boswell (AUS) bt [16] Mansoor Zaman (PAK) 11-2, 11-8, 11-2 (29m)
[2] Lee Beachill (ENG) bt [Q] Phillip Barker (ENG) 11-8, 11-9, 11-2 (36m)

Women's qualifying finals:
Alison Waters (ENG) bt Rebecca Botwright (ENG) 9-4, 9-1, 9-4 (24m)