Brownell Singlehandedly Carries Home Interest Into Motor City L16

USA No.1 Timothy Brownell came through an entertaining five-game battle against Malaysia's Addeen Idrakie take home interest singlehandedly through to the second round of the Sturbridge Capital Motor City Open at the Birmingham Athletic Club in Detroit.

Brownell, ranked 41 in the world, took a tight opening game 11-9, before Idrakie pegged him back to make it one game apiece. The constant swings in momentum continued into the third as world No.64 Idrakie raced into a 10-6 lead, but Brownell refused to bow down, clawing his way back to a tie-break and eventually taking the game 15-13.

Although Idrakie forced a deciding game with some clinical, attacking squash, it was Brownell who held his nerve, taking the fifth by an 11-5 scoreline to set up a second-round date with No.5 seed Mohamed ElSherbini.

"I thought it was a good win," said Brownell, who was making his debut in the 24th edition of the PSA World Tour Silver event since 1999. "I thought he was playing really well, super quick, and I was having trouble getting him to the back of the court. The points were long and tough, so I'm really happy to come out on top there.

"I was 10-6 down in the third and I just didn't want to give up. It almost flicked the switch for me and took the pressure off me because I was so many points down. I opened up the racket a bit, let my skill do the talking and it was a bit of a rollercoaster, but I came out on top. There were so few decisions in the match and I think it was just such great squash."

Elsewhere, India's Abhay Singh came through an intense five-game battle against USA's Faraz Khan, eventually taking the match 7-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-6, 11-4 to secure an unexpected place in the last 16. The world No.69, who arrived in Detroit on the back of claiming the JSW Willingdon Little Masters & Senior Tournament title earlier this month, will play world No.3 Paul Coll for a spot in the quarter-finals.

The 25-year-old will also be joined by Aly Hussein in the next round after the Egyptian knocked out home favourite Shahjahan Khan in straight games. Khan's defeat leaves Brownell as the sole American player left in the draw.