Arcucci Crashes Into First Major PSA Event of the Year

France's Jean-Michel Arcucci upset Englishman Ben Garner in the qualifying finals of the $50,000 Pace Canadian Classic to claim an unexpected place in the opening round of the first major PSA Tour event of the year in Toronto, Canada.

The 30-year-old French international from Aix-en-Provence beat Garner, ranked eight places higher in the world, 11-7 6-11 11-10 11-9 in 57 minutes to earn a first round draw against another Briton, sixth seed Alex Gough from Wales.

Canada's new world number one Jonathon Power heads a strong field in this established North American event being staged at the John Bassett Theatre at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The 31-year-old top seed from Montreal faces Italian qualifier Davide Bianchetti in the first round.

An appearance in the climax on Saturday would mark Power's 60th PSA Tour final appearance - and he is scheduled to meet No2 seed Amr Shabana, the Egyptian who became World Open champion for the second time in December.

Qualifying finals:
Davide Bianchetti (ITA) bt Shawn Delierre (CAN) 11-8, 11-3, 11-3 (42m)
Alister Walker (ENG) bt Dylan Bennett (NED) 9-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-7, 11-7 (53m)
Borja Golan (ESP) bt Daryl Selby (ENG) 11-9, 11-3, 1-11, 11-6 (63m)
Jean-Michel Arcucci (FRA) bt Ben Garner (ENG) 11-7, 6-11, 11-10 (4-2), 11-9 (57m)