WORLD SQUASH NEWS

RESULTS: Pace Credit Union Canadian Squash Classic, Toronto, Canada

Qualifying finals:
Paul Price (AUS) bt Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) 11-6, 11-10 (2-0), 6-11, 11-8
Jonathan Kemp (ENG) bt Joey Barrington (ENG) 9-11, 7-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-10 (6-4)
Rodney Durbach (RSA) bt Martin Heath (SCO) 7-11, 11-9, 3-11, 11-5, 11-1
Peter Barker (ENG) bt Jan Koukal (CZE) 11-4, 11-6, 11-4

Injured Palmer Pulls Out Of Canadian Classic

A shoulder injury sustained during the successful defence of his British Open title in Nottingham earlier this month has led David Palmer to withdraw from the Pace Credit Union Canadian Squash Classic, which gets underway in Toronto, Canada, today (Monday).

The world No4 from Australia will be replaced in the draw of the $50,000 PSA Tour event by 'lucky loser' Joey Barrington.  The 24-year-old Englishman squandered a 2/0 lead in the qualifying finals against compatriot Jonathan Kemp to go down 9-11 7-11 11-5 11-9 11-10 after Kemp survived the dramatic last game tie-break 6-4.

Barrington takes on unseeded Canadian Graham Ryding while Kemp meets third seed Peter Nicol in the first round.

Former world No1 Nicol is making his PSA Tour return in Toronto after missing the British Open with an ankle injury.  Winner of the title in 2001, Nicol is expected to face three-times champion Jonathon Power, the title-holder from Canada, in the quarter-finals. 

Should the anticipated meeting take place - Nicol would first have to overcome Kemp and Power the fast-improving young Englishman James Willstrop - the clash would be the 39th battle of their careers and a repeat of the Canadian Classic finals in 2000 and 2002.

The Englishman currently has the upper hand in their head-to-head tally, with a lead of 21-17, but Power - with the benefit of 'home' advantage - will be looking for his first win since his victory in the 2002 final.

England's world No1 Lee Beachill is seeded to win his first Canadian Classic title - and takes on South African qualifier Rodney Durbach in the first round.

Updated 1st round draw:
[1] Lee Beachill (ENG) v [Q] Rodney Durbach (RSA)
[5] Nick Matthew (ENG) v Anthony Ricketts (AUS)
[3] Peter Nicol (ENG) v [Q] Jonathan Kemp (ENG)
[7] Jonathon Power (CAN) v James Willstrop (ENG)
[6] Karim Darwish (EGY) v [Q] Paul Price (AUS)
Joey Barrington (ENG) v Graham Ryding (CAN)
[8] Joseph Kneipp (AUS) v [Q] Peter Barker (ENG)
[2] Thierry Lincou (FRA) v Dan Jenson (AUS)