Karim Comeback Frustrates Frankcomb

Egyptian qualifier Karim Yehia fought back from two games down to upset Australia's fifth seed Aaron Frankcomb in the first round of the Baltimore City Open in the USA.

The New York-based 29-year-old won 3-11 5-11 11-4 11-6 11-7 to set up a surprise second round match against top seed Alister Walker. The English favourite despatched Australia's Wade Johnstone 11-9 11-6 11-5.

A last-minute withdrawal by Canada's sixth seed David Phillips allowed Dylan Patterson to provide unexpected local interest in the main draw as 'lucky loser'. However, the New York-born 24-year-old lost 11-6 11-4 11-5 to Colombian Bernardo Samper, who progresses to meet England's fourth seed Alex Stait.

1st round:
[1] Alister Walker (ENG) bt Wade Johnstone (AUS) 11-9, 11-6, 11-5
[Q] Karim Yehia (EGY) bt [5] Aaron Frankcomb (AUS) 3-11, 5-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-7
[3] Gavin Jones (WAL) bt Mike Corren (AUS) 11-6, 11-9, 11-6
[7] Sam Miller (ENG) bt [Q] Regardt Schonborn (RSA) 11-9, 8-11, 11-4, 4-11, 11-4
Bernardo Samper (COL) bt Dylan Patterson (USA) 11-6, 11-4, 11-5
[4] Alex Stait (ENG) bt Lucky Odeh (NGR) 11-6, 11-4, 11-5
[8] Ian Power (CAN) bt [Q] Arthur Gaskin (IRL) 11-7, 11-5, 5-0 ret.
[2] Ben Garner (ENG) bt [Q] Jesse Engelbrecht (ZIM) 11-10 (3-1), 11-6, 6-11, 11-5