Australians Storm Into Berkshire Open
Australians dominated the qualifying finals of the Berkshire Open Squash Championship in Williamstown, Mass, in the USA, claiming three of the four available places in the main draw of the $20,000 PSA Tour event at Williams College.
Mike Corren, who hails from Adelaide but is now based in Salt Lake City, beat India's US-based Siddharth Suchde 7-11 11-2 11-5 9-11 11-6 – and will now face another Australian Cameron Pilley, the sixth seed, in the main draw.
Perth-born 23-year-old Wade Johnstone had the toughest battle, overcoming Canadian David Phillips 11-10 10-11 11-7 9-11 11-9 to earn a first round clash with Ireland's Liam Kenny – who was also born in Perth!
South Australian Ben Gould defeated Irishman Niall Rooney 11-7 11-4 7-11 11-6 and will now meet Dutchman Laurens Jan Anjema, the third seed.
There was home success in the qualifying finals when Julian Illingworth beat Canada's Ian Power 11-2 11-7 10-11 11-6. The Portland-born 21-year-old will now face Australia's eighth seed Raj Nanda.
RESULTS: Berkshire Open Squash Championship, Williams College, Williamstown, Mass, USA
Qualifying finals:
Mike Corren (AUS) bt Siddharth Suchde (IND) 7-11, 11-2, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6
Wade Johnstone (AUS) bt David Phillips (CAN) 11-10 (4-2), 10-11 (0-2), 11-7, 9-11, 11-9
Ben Gould (AUS) bt Niall Rooney (IRL) 11-7, 11-4, 7-11, 11-6
Julian Illingworth (USA) bt Ian Power (CAN) 11-2, 11-7, 10-11 (1-3), 11-6
Updated 1st round draw:
[1] Graham Ryding (CAN) v Christopher Gordon (USA)
[6] Gavin Jones (WAL) v Matthew Giuffre (CAN)
[4] Cameron Pilley (AUS) v [Q] Mike Corren (AUS)
[8] Raj Nanda (AUS) v [Q] Julian Illingworth (USA)
[5] Shahier Razik (CAN) v Stewart Boswell (AUS)
[3] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) v [Q] Ben Gould (AUS)
[7] Liam Kenny (IRL) v [Q] Wade Johnstone (AUS)
[2] Dan Jenson (AUS) v Jean-Michel Arcucci (FRA)