There will be home interest in all but one match in the first round of the Hithercroft Open after Englishmen claimed all four qualifying places in the $10,000 PSA Tour squash event in its third year in Wallingford in the English county of Oxfordshire.
Lewis Walters survived the longest battle, beating Frenchman Joan Lezaud 11-7, 11-9, 10-11 (0-2), 11-7 in 77 minutes. The 20-year-old from Nottingham will now face Egypt's rising star Mohamed El Shorbagy, the 17-year-old second seed from Alexandria who trains in the UK under Jonah Barrington at Millfield School in Somerset.
Joe Lee became the youngest qualifier. The 18-year-old British Junior champion from Surrey beat compatriot Darren Lewis 9-11, 11-9, 11-2, 11-5 and will now line up against Welshman Rob Sutherland, the sixth seed.
The last-minute withdrawal of Dutchman Tom Hoevenaars, the fourth seed, opened the way for lucky loser Chris Truswell to claim a place in the first round. The 23-year-old from Birmingham will take on Irish international Arthur Gaskin.
Qualifying finals:
Lewis Walters (ENG) bt Joan Lezaud (FRA) 11-7, 11-9, 10-11 (0-2), 11-7 (77m)
Joe Lee (ENG) bt Darren Lewis (ENG) 9-11, 11-9, 11-2, 11-5 (44m)
Tom Pashley (ENG) bt Jason Barry (RSA) 11-6, 11-7, 7-11, 11-1 (40m)
Olivier Pett (ENG) bt Chris Truswell (ENG) 11-4, 8-11, 11-2, 11-5 (34m)