World Squash Stars Blow Into Windy City

The world's top squash players have arrived in the 'windy city' of Chicago to compete in the SSA Global Windy City Open, the richest PSA Tour event in North America.

France's Thierry Lincou is top seed, and meets English qualifier Mark Chaloner in the first round. The former world No7 needed 64 minutes to beat young compatriot Daryl Selby 11-9 11-10 7-11 11-3 in the qualifying finals.

Scotland's defending champion John White, the seventh seed, takes on another English qualifier Ben Garner, the 11-10 7-11 11-9 1-11 11-9 winner over Colombian Miguel Angel Rodriguez.

England's world No8 Lee Beachill has been forced to withdraw from the $100,000 event following 'exploratory knee surgery'. Fellow Yorkshireman Nick Matthew has been elevated to eighth seed in the event, and has taken Beachill's place in the draw against Australian Stewart Boswell.

England's No2 seed James Willstrop faces Laurens Jan Anjema, from the Netherlands, in the first round.

North American interest is led by Canada's world No1 Jonathon Power, the fifth seed who takes on Irish qualifier Liam Kenny in the opening round.

Qualifying finals:
Liam Kenny (IRL) bt Laurent Elriani (FRA) 11-9, 11-10 (3-1), 11-10 (3-1) (57m)
Gavin Jones (WAL) bt Christopher Gordon (USA) 4-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-5 (51m)
Simon Parke (ENG) bt Mark Heather (ENG) 11-6, 11-10 (3-1), 11-9 (50m)
Davide Bianchetti (ITA) bt Arshad Iqbal Burki (PAK) 11-4, 11-4, 11-6 (27m)
Mark Chaloner (ENG) bt Daryl Selby (ENG) 11-9, 11-10 (5-3), 7-11, 11-3 (64m)
Ben Garner (ENG) bt Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) 11-10 (5-3), 7-11, 11-9, 1-11, 11-9 (62m)
Dan Jenson (AUS) bt Patrick Bedore (CAN) 11-4, 10-11 (2-4), 11-5, 11-2 (34m)
Borja Golan (ESP) bt Renan Lavigne (FRA) 11-5, 11-4, 11-5 (34m)