Harrity & Tomlinson Produce Stunning Fightbacks In Optasia Openers

USA's world No.54 Todd Harrity produced the biggest shock on the opening day of the Optasia Championships in London when he came from two games down to upset world No.22 Nicolas Mueller 3/2 in the PSA World Tour Gold event at the Wimbledon Club.

Swiss No.1 Mueller, who boasted a 100 per cent Tour record over Harrity coming into the London meeting, made a strong start with a 2/0 lead in just 16 minutes.

Harrity reduced the arrears by clinching the third 11-8 before rounding off an impressive comeback to take the fourth and fifth games both 11-4.

"I'm really happy with my win today and how I fought back from 2/0 down," said the American.

"Nicky Mueller is very talented and I've never beaten him before. I didn't feel much pressure, especially when I was down 2/0 I thought I have nothing to lose and I was going to take the opportunity to keep fighting and try be a better player.

"Winning the third game was crucial and I was back in it. I focused on one point at a time, climbing my way back and I'm excited to get through that match. It's my first time playing Optasia, I'm in the second round and I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

In the women's draw, England's Millie Tomlinson also overturned a two-game deficit to progress to round two.

The world No.56 trailed to Nardine Garas as the Egyptian stormed into a 2/0 lead, before Tomlinson went on to level the match by taking the next two games.

In the pair's first-ever meeting on the PSA World Tour, it was Tomlinson who prevailed as she completed a superb comeback to book her place in the next round, taking the fifth 12-10.

"I'm very happy with that, to be honest," she said afterwards.

"I've had a few tough tournaments and a few little injuries and niggles, so I was due a good win. I was very pleased to come from 2/0 down fighting through that one.

"I had Ally Thomson coaching me and she was telling me to be a bit more positive. I was trying to stay motivated mentally and execute that game plan.

"I was getting chopped in the first two games, so it was definitely a slow start. I'm not sure why but she came out and played very well, she's coming off a tournament win so has plenty of confidence and she just played amazing in the first two games."