Phillips Upsets Kenny In Dramatic Frisco Opener

Canadian David Phillips became the only qualifier to survive the first round of the Mayacamas Ranch North American Open in San Francisco, on the west coast of the USA, after securing a dramatic five-game upset over fifth-seeded Irishman Liam Kenny in the PSA Tour event at the San Francisco Bay Club.

After taking a 2/0 lead, Phillips stemmed a fight-back by the favoured Dubliner - then survived a tie-break in the decider to win 11-8, 11-10 (2-0), 2-11, 6-11, 11-10 (3-1).

The 27-year-old from Montreal goes on to face Scotland's John White, the US-based top seed who despatched Australian qualifier Wade Johnstone 11-8, 11-10 (2-0), 11-5.

Veteran Englishman Chris Walker enjoyed a short-lived return to PSA Tour action after three years of 'retirement'. In almost certainly his last Tour clash before celebrating his 40th birthday early next month, qualifier Walker fought back from a game down against Shawn Delierre to take a 2/1 lead over the seventh-seeded Canadian.

But the 24-year-old from Montreal capitalised on his younger legs to strike home 11-4, 9-11, 10-11 (2-4), 11-4, 11-6 - and earn a quarter-final clash with fellow Canadian Shahier Razik.

Mohd Azlan Iskandar upheld the Asian interest in the event by beating Egypt's Omar Elborolossy 8-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-10 (4-2). The third seed from Malaysia will now face England's Chris Simpson for a place in the last four.

1st round:
[1] John White (SCO) bt [Q] Wade Johnstone (AUS) 11-8, 11-10 (2-0), 11-5
[Q] David Phillips (CAN) bt [5] Liam Kenny (IRL) 11-8, 11-10 (2-0), 2-11, 6-11, 11-10 (3-1)
[4] Shahier Razik (CAN) bt Yasser El Halaby (EGY) 11-8, 11-3, 11-6
[7] Shawn Delierre (CAN) bt [Q] Chris Walker (ENG) 11-4, 9-11, 10-11 (2-4), 11-4, 11-6
[8] Chris Simpson (ENG) bt Ryan Donegan (USA) 11-6, 11-6, 11-8
[3] Mohd Azlan Iskandar (MAS) bt Omar Elborolossy (EGY) 8-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-10 (4-2)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) bt [6] Eric Galvez (MEX) w/o
[2] Adrian Grant (ENG) bt [Q] Raj Nanda (AUS) 5-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-3