Willstrop Wins On Wharf Return

Four-time Canary Wharf Classic champion James Willstrop began the 2015 edition of the PSA International 50 squash tournament with an assured 3/0 victory over Egyptian qualifier Omar Abdel Meguid during the second day of first round action at East Wintergarden in London.

The Englishman, who has recently returned to the PSA World Tour following a five-month injury lay-off, began the encounter with the 27-year-old from Giza in emphatic fashion, taking the opening game without the loss of a single point as he 'whitewashed' the World No.33. Thereafter, however, the former World No.1 from Yorkshire was forced to earn every point as Meguid upped his game.

But Willstrop displayed no signs of the hip injury that had kept him on the sidelines from September to February. The 31-year-old Pontefract-based player showed too much class for his opponent, seeing out the match 11-0, 11-9, 11-7 to set up a quarter-final encounter with German World No.9 Simon Rösner.

"It feels great to be back out on the court and I really enjoyed it tonight," said Willstrop.

"It's lovely to be playing here in this great atmosphere, it's one that myself and all the other players really enjoy, and I'm trying to enjoy myself more when I'm on court than I maybe I am used to.

"I've got a tough match against Simon tomorrow. He's a brilliant and ever-improving player so I'm just going to try and soak up the atmosphere and go in with the right attitude and if I can manage to get a win on there I'll be very happy."

Compatriot Peter Barker, the World No.8 and number two seed from Essex, was also victorious in his opening match against Mohamed Abouelghar, easing through 3/0 to remain in the hunt for his first Canary Wharf Classic title.

"I expected more errors from Mohamed today but he played a very mature game and I was impressed," said Barker.

Twice a runner-up in the event, Barker will now face Max Lee, the No.7 seed from Hong Kong who survived a five-game battle with Egyptian Mazen Hesham.

"It wasn't easy and I've got another tough match coming up now against Max because he's playing well at the minute and I can't afford to take him for granted," Barker continued.

"Even though it's a bit of a cliche, I'm going to focus on our match tomorrow and not think about anything further than that."

Victory for the English pair sees them join defending champion Nick Matthew, the 34-year-old from Sheffield, and 32-year-old World No.17 Daryl Selby, from Essex, in the quarter-final draw ensuring English representation in all four last eight encounters.

Canary Wharf Classic image courtesy of www.squashpics.com