After consistently failing to live up to expectations on her 'home' court at the National Squash Centre in Manchester for the past ten years, Vicky Botwright provided the dream outcome for the organisers of the Hi-Tec World Open Squash Championships by earning a place in Sunday's women's final in the English city.

The world's leading players from more than 30 countries have been competing in the Hi-Tec World Squash Championships – Manchester 2008, the first ever joint staging of the Men's World Open and Women's World Open in the UK.

Botwright, the 11th seed, is bidding farewell to the WISPA World Tour after taking up the position of Head Coach at the Centre.  But, in the second round, the Manchester-based 31-year-old stunned the squash world by ousting Australian title-holder Rachael Grinham.

The former England number one then clinched her first appearance in the world final when higher-ranked England team-mate Jenny Duncalf retired injured after two games.

"I don't know what to say - it's unbelievable," said the jubilant Mancunian afterwards.  "I thought I could beat her - but I didn't want to do it like that.

"But even if I win the title tomorrow, I will still be back at work at the centre on Monday morning!"

Duncalf, the fifth seed from Harrogate in Yorkshire, was devastated to have pulled out prematurely:  "It was in the second rally of the match that something went in my right thigh - and I didn't know what to do.  I took a three-minute injury break in the game, but the injury affected my movement and after two games I couldn't go on.

"I've never come off injured in my life before - it's not a great time to do it in a World Open!"

Botwright will face strong favourite Nicol David in the final.  The world number one from Malaysia beat surprise opponent Madeline Perry, the 14th seed from Ireland, 11-6, 11-8, 11-6 to reach her tenth successive Tour final since her shock second round defeat in the 2007 World Open a year ago in Madrid.

David acknowledged that she has raised her game over the past year:  "Every tournament I play, I learn more about myself - and with this new scoring, you have to be sharp.  You can't afford to lose concentration."

Later the capacity crowd in Manchester - which included two IOC delegates attending the event in the observation process for Squash's bid to become an Olympic sport in 2016 - witnessed a titanic all-Egyptian encounter in which 21-year-old Ramy Ashour beat defending champion Amr Shabana, the world No1, 11-6, 7-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-7.

Shabana, who celebrated his 31st month in a row as world number one this month and was looking to become only the fourth player in history to win a fourth world title, rued his missed chances when leading 5-3 and 8-6 in the fourth game.

"I had my chances and missed them - I should have won in the fourth," said the 29-year-old from Giza afterwards.  "I played all right - he had to play well to beat me."

Fourth seed Ashour, who earlier in the tournament had admitted being nervous about being back in England for the first time since an injury-beset British Open in May, was delighted with his performance. 

"I think that was my best ever match - I gave it all.  I've never been so focussed."

In his first appearance in a World Open final, Ashour will face fellow countryman Karim Darwish, after the 27-year-old from Cairo beat Australia's former champion David Palmer 11-6, 11-9, 11-8 in 46 minutes.

"I'm so happy to be in the final of the World Open - the biggest event of the year," said the seventh seed.  "And I am so pleased to be in the final against my team-mate Ramy.

"Off court, we are really good friends, but on-court we don't think about it!"
  

It was 13th time lucky for England's Jenny Duncalf in the women's quarter-finals of the Hi-Tec World Open Squash Championships when the world No5 from Yorkshire upset Dutch star Natalie Grinham to ensure the event's first English finalist for five years.

Domestic interest in the men's event expired when the English trio of Nick Matthew, James Willstrop and Adrian Grant all fell at the quarter-final hurdle - leaving Australian David Palmer and three Egyptians Amr Shabana, Ramy Ashour and Karim Darwish to contest the semi-finals.

With 12 successive wins over Duncalf over the past four years, world number two Natalie Grinham was favourite to win their match en-route to her third successive appearance in the women's final.

But a resolute Duncalf, 25, from Harrogate, fought back from two games to one down to beat her Australian-born opponent 11-8, 10-12, 5-11, 11-6, 11-7 in 65 minutes to reach her first world semi.

"I played my best ever squash in the fifth game to get to 7-1, then got the tingles when she fought back to win the next four points.  A certain English finalist?  That's brilliant for English squash," said the former British National champion.

"I'm really happy to have finally beaten Natalie!"

Duncalf now meets England team-mate and local star Vicky Botwright, the 31-year-old former England number one from Manchester who announced her retirement on the eve of the championships. 

The 11th seed, who ousted defending champion Rachael Grinham in the previous round, continued her 'giant-killing' run by taking out seventh-seeded compatriot Alison Waters 13-11, 5-11, 13-11, 11-9.

"It really is unbelievable," said Botwright later.  "The people you have to beat to get this far makes it so hard. But I think the scoring changed just in time for me!"

In an extraordinary match later in the day, Ireland's 14th seed Madeline Perry showed the guts that took her to six in the world over two years ago when she fought back from two games and 9-7 down to beat unseeded New Zealander Jaclyn Hawkes 6-11, 5-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-9 in 66 minutes.

Hawkes, who had arrived in the first major quarter-final of her career after a shock defeat of fourth seed Natalie Grainger in the previous round, failed to convert match balls from 10-5 in the fourth.

"It was pure determination, I guess," said the jubilant 31-year-old from near Belfast in Northern Ireland.  "But I really felt uncomfortable out there - probably because I knew I had such a good opportunity."

14th seed Perry is fighting back up the rankings after suffering a serious head injury in a mugging attack in Milan exactly a year ago.

"What I went through last year got me through that match.  I nearly died then.  I was told I'd never be able to concentrate. I don't think I've ever made a come back like that," said the world No16.

Perry will now take on Nicol David, the world number one from Malaysia who recovered from 5-8 down in the first game to beat Egyptian rival Omneya Abdel Kawy 11-8, 11-1, 11-9.

After narrowly losing to David Palmer in the final of the British Open in May, Englishman James Willstrop failed in his bid for revenge when he went down to the Australian 5-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-4, 11-5 in the men's quarter-finals.

Spurred on by the capacity partisan crowd, the third seed from Yorkshire led after the first and third games - but the experienced fifth seed Palmer romped to a 5-1 lead in the fourth, then a 4-1 lead in the decider before taking the match in 78 minutes.

"I'm so envious for players like James having the British Open and now the World Open here - we don't get tournaments like this in Australia." said the two-time champion from Lithgow in New South Wales.  "That felt like a final.  I can't imagine playing in front of a home crowd like this!"

"Perhaps he was under pressure.  The key for me was the start of the fourth and fifth games. As I said at the British Open, he'll win that title one day - and he'll come back to win this one too," added the former world number one.

Willstrop was devastated by the loss:  "He was awesome tonight - in those last two games he was better than me by a good distance. It was the most calm performance I've seen from him.  He handled the pressure well.

"He's a smart guy," added the England number one.  "He's managed to stay in excellent condition.  I felt more in control in the British Open final."

Palmer will now meet Karim Darwish, the No7 seed who beat England's Adrian Grant 12-10, 11-7, 11-7 in 47 minutes.

Defending champion Amr Shabana was in stunning form to beat compatriot Mohamed El Shorbagy, a 17-year-old qualifier, 11-2, 11-3, 11-6 in just 20 minutes. In one of the most exciting 'draws' in squash, the world number one will face his country's newest star Ramy Ashour, the 21-year-old fourth seed who beat England's Nick Matthew 2-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7 in 58 minutes.
 

Daily Update from Howard Harding
 
Day Six, Thu 16th Oct:
Grant Takes Greg In Major
World Championship Upset

England's Adrian Grant upset the form book in dramatic style in the third round of the Hi-Tec World Open Squash Championships after saving three match balls to beat France's No2 seed Gregory Gaultier to reach the men's quarter-finals at the National Squash Centre at Sportcity in Manchester.

The world's leading players from more than 30 countries are competing in the Hi-Tec World Squash Championships – Manchester 2008, the first ever joint staging of the Men's World Open and Women's World Open in the UK.

"My best result by far," was how Grant described his sensational five-game upset over the Frenchman who was runner-up in the last two World Opens.  The left-hander from London saved three game balls in the third game before taking a 2/1 lead in the match.

But Gaultier, the world No2 from Aix-en-Provence, struck back in the fourth to level the match for the loss of just a single point.  It was nip and tuck throughout the decider before the match favourite reached match-ball at 10-8. 

But Grant saved this, and two further match-balls, before clinching his career-best result by beating Gaultier 9-11, 12-10, 14-12, 1-11, 13-11 after 98 minutes.

"This is a massive step for me - definitely my best result by far," said the 28-year-old 14th seed.  "His record here is unbelievable.

"He came out firing in the fourth - and, before I knew it, it was all over.  But he's two in the world, so he must have felt the pressure towards the end," added the Leeds-based England international after his first ever win over the Frenchman.

It was a 'very, very upset' Gaultier that spoke to the press afterwards.  "I lost my head.  He played better - he's a much better player than me, that's it.  Good luck to him."

When asked if it was true that the pair were good friends, the Frenchman replied:  "Yes, but there are no friends on court."

Hopes of a completely unexpected all-English quarter-final were dashed in the final match of the day when Egypt's seventh seed Karim Darwish recovered from a game down to beat Gloucestershire's unseeded Alister Walker, based in Leeds, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-8.

Englishman James Willstrop will be after revenge when he faces Australia's former world champion David Palmer in the quarter-finals.

Palmer, a two-time winner of the World Open title, was extended for 83 minutes by unseeded Englishman Daryl Selby before beating the world No36 from Essex 11-5, 11-13, 11-3, 12-10.

"It's pretty hard to believe he's 36 in the world," sighed Palmer afterwards.  "It seems that all the young guys in the world have stepped up.  It's been a great tournament for him."

In a re-match of the British Open final in May in Liverpool, where Palmer saved match balls in the final to take the title for a fourth time, the 32-year-old from Lithgow in New South Wales will face England's James Willstrop

The Yorkshireman had to play one of the rallies of his life to save a game-ball in the second before going on to stop Italian number one Davide Bianchetti 11-7, 13-11, 11-8 in 48 minutes.

"It's always good to get people off as quickly as possible in a tournament like this where there are so many matches," Willstrop, the England number one, explained.  "It's extremely important not to waste energy."

When reminded that Palmer would be his next opponent, Willstrop said:  "They don't come a lot bigger. It's never going to be easy, but I do urge the crowd to get behind me - it really does help!"

Malaysian favourite Nicol David cruised through to the last eight of the women's competition after beating Rebecca Chiu, the 13th seed from Hong Kong, 11-3, 11-8, 11-7 in just 24 minutes.  It was David's 14th win in a row over her Asian rival since a shock defeat to Chiu in the Asian Games final six years ago.

In the biggest scoring match since the WISPA World Tour switched to Pro-Scoring (to 11 points per game) in July, Egypt's ninth seed Omneya Abdel Kawy upset England's Laura Lengthorn-Massaro, the eighth seed, 21-23, 19-17, 12-14, 11-6, 11-7 in 85 minutes.

But there were more significant upsets in the afternoon session - with mixed fortunes for New Zealanders:  Unseeded Kiwi Jaclyn Hawkes began the second day of second round action with a stunning 11-5, 5-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-8 defeat of Natalie Grainger, the fourth seed from the USA and a former world number one.

Later Ireland's 14th seed Madeline Perry shocked Shelley Kitchen, the sixth seed from Auckland, 11-5, 11-6, 11-2.

"I just can't believe it - I wasn't expecting to come out here today and win," admitted Hawkes.  "It is definitely my best win ever - in fact every time I've played her before she's chopped me 3/0!

"I didn't go on expecting to beat the world No4 - I've never been near her before," added the UK-based 25-year-old from Auckland.

Hawkes has been working with new national coach Anthony Ricketts, the former world No3 from Australia, since July.  "I did a lot of good work with Anthony in the summer.  And it's good having him here - he just knows what to do.

"He gave me a game plan - and I stuck to it," added Hawkes, now in her first quarter-final of a major WISPA event.

Madeline Perry, a former world No6 fighting back up the rankings after suffering a serious head injury in a mugging attack in Milan exactly a year ago, was back to her former best against Kitchen, the world No10. 

"It's only over the last couple of months that I've started to feel back to normal - it all went pretty well," said the 31-year-old from Banbridge, near Belfast, in Northern Ireland.  "What happened last year was pretty traumatic - getting up the rankings again is probably more difficult than it was the first time."
  

Local Star Botwright Beats Champion Grinham In World Championship Upset

Manchester squash star Vicky Botwright, who has always failed to live up to expectations on her 'home' court at the National Squash Centre at Sportcity, pulled off a sensational upset when she beat defending champion Rachael Grinham in the second round of the women's event in the Hi-Tec World Open Squash Championships in Manchester.

The world's leading players from more than 30 countries are competing in the Hi-Tec World Squash Championships – Manchester 2008, the first ever joint staging of the Men's World Open and Women's World Open in the UK.

Botwright, the 31-year-old former world No5, recently announced her decision to retire at the world championships after accepting the role as Head Coach at the prestigious centre.

After dropping the first game, the local heroine battled back to beat the title-holder from Australia 5-11, 13-11, 11-8, 11-8 in 47 minutes.

"That was certainly my best ever win," said the delighted 11th seed afterwards.  "It's taken me ten years to get a result like this in Manchester.

"I've always under-performed here - I've been seeded in every position from one to eight in the Nationals here, but never got beyond the quarter-finals!"

The second-seeded Queenslander was almost speechless afterwards.  "I just don't know what happened.  I just didn't feel that comfortable - I never have easy games with Vicky, she's one of those players I've never really liked playing.

"I felt in control for parts of the game - but then I panicked, I just choked."

The former world number one admitted that she is still coming to terms with the new women's 'point-a-rally' Pro-Scoring system.  "You start the game and, before you know it, it's half over - then you get into panic mode.  I think it's going to take me a while to get use to it."

Earlier, on the first of two days of second round action, Botwright's two England team-mates Alison Waters and Jenny Duncalf eased into the last eight.  Londoner Waters, the British National champion, crushed France's Isabelle Stoehr 11-3, 11-1, 11-7 in 25 minutes, while fifth seed Duncalf, from Harrogate in Yorkshire, defeated Australian national championKasey Brown 11-8, 11-2, 13-11.

England's Nick Matthew prevented it from being an all-Egyptian day in the four men's third round matches on the all-glass show court when he beat Dutchman Laurens Jan Anjema 11-7, 11-6, 11-13, 11-4 in exactly one hour.

In only his third event following a nine-month layoff after shoulder surgery, the 28-year-old from Sheffield showed the form which won him the British Open title two years ago.  "I felt pretty good - I feel I've been pretty well in the tournament so far, but not yet in a whole match.

"Physically, I'm better than I've ever been - because while I was recovering from the shoulder, fitness was all I could work on!"

In Friday's quarter-finals, Matthew will face Ramy Ashour, the fourth seed from Egypt who put paid to an all-English last eight clash by beating Londoner Peter Barker, the 12th seed, 11-8, 11-13, 11-8, 11-6.

"I was up for it today - all the work I have put in in the last couple of months has paid off," said the exuberant 21-year-old afterwards.  "But six days before the championships, I pulled a hamstring, and didn't play at all.  It actually gave me a bit of a break."

Later in the day, Mohamed El Shorbagy became the first qualifier for 22 years to reach the men's quarter-finals when he beat Hisham Mohd Ashour 11-4, 6-11, 11-8, 10-12, 13-11.

The 17-year-old Egyptian became event's giant-killer after battling through to the second round - then beating experienced Frenchman Thierry Lincou to reach the last sixteen.

"I've played five days in a row now - and tomorrow I get a day off.  Now I will chill out," said the teenager.
 

El Shorbagy Outshines Lincou In
Major World Championship Upset

A new world squash star was born in Manchester today when Egyptian teenager Mohamed El Shorbagydefeated France's world number eight Thierry Lincou in the second round of the Hi-Tec World Open Squash Championships at Sportcity in Manchester.

The world's leading players from more than 30 countries are competing in the Hi-Tec World Squash Championships – Manchester 2008, the first ever joint staging of the Men's World Open and Women's World Open in the UK.

The 17-year-old qualifier from Alexandria, who beat experienced Frenchman Renan Lavigne in the first round, shocked the crowd when he took the first two games against sixth seed Lincou, a former world champion and world number one.

But the seasoned Frenchman came back to take the third game and led 4-1 in the fourth.  El Shorbagy, a pupil at Millfield School in the UK and coached by the British legend Jonah Barrington, defied his youth by fighting back to serve at match ball at 10-9.

However, Lincou again had to call upon his vast experience to keep the world junior champion at bay - forcing the match into a decider.

But still El Shorbagy battled on - and, after failing to convert two further match-balls, clinched his fourth of the match to record his stunning 12-10, 11-6, 7-11, 10-12, 13-11 victory in 81 minutes.

"He was playing really aggressively.  I was always behind, chasing the ball - and this made me tired," said a disconsolate Lincou afterwards.  "He showed that, at his age, he's able to produce a good pace - and he maintained it without making too many mistakes.  He's potentially a top ten player."

El Shorbagy admitted that his first thought was to telephone his mother in Egypt:  "I had promised her I would get into the last sixteen.  She was crying on the phone!

"That was the best win of my career, for sure.  I was playing to win each point - I didn't concentrate on the score at all. In fact the only time I heard the score was when I was 10-9 in the fourth.

"I had to make it tough for him.  I had no pressure on me today - nobody expected me to win.  I had to play more than my best to win - and I did.

"My aim is to be world number one, one day," added the young Egyptian star.

Later, fellow countryman Amr Shabana - the current world number one - eased into the last sixteen after beating Spanish number one Borja Golan 12-10, 11-7, 11-4 in 43 minutes.

The title-holder was full of praise for his teenage compatriot:  "He had no pressure on him, and he's young and excited, and also has lots of confidence.  I have played him before, and he's tremendous - really fast.  I'm really happy for him."

While a new era in squash beckoned in the afternoon, an old one came to an end in the evening when former world number John White announced his retirement.  The 35-year-old Australian-born Scot - who lives in the USA - extended James Willstrop for four games before the England number one prevailed to win 11-2, 3-11, 12-10, 11-9 in 49 minutes.

"It was as I shook James's hand at the end of the match that I decided, this is it," admitted the Tour favourite afterwards.   "I've had a great career, but now have a full-time job as a coach in the US and a family of four.

"James and I have had some great matches - many of which have been finals and many on this court - and I feel it's time for it all to come to a halt here.

"Being number one in the world is something they will never take away from you - and I'll always be proud of that."

In an outstanding day for Egypt, El Shorbagy and Shabana's wins were followed by victories by Wael El Hindi, Karim Darwish and Cairo brothers  Ramy and Hisham Mohd Ashour.  Fourth seed Ramy Ashour punished Australian Cameron Pilley 11-5, 11-4, 11-3 in just 28 minutes, while his unseeded older sibling Hisham upset Malaysian Ong Beng Hee, the tenth seed, 10-12, 11-7, 11-9, 11-9 to earn an unexpected place in the last sixteen.

Main draw action in the women's World Open got underway today with world number one Nicol David confidently beginning her bid to reclaim the title she lost last year by crushing compatriot Sharon Wee 11-6, 11-3, 11-2 in just 19 minutes.  David now goes on to face Asian rival Rebecca Chiu, the 13th seed from Hong Kong who recovered from two games down to beat England's Lauren Briggs 8-11, 6-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-6.

Australia's defending champion Rachael Grinham also had an untroubled passage through to the last sixteen, beating New Zealander Louise Crome 11-7, 11-6, 11-2.

But there were two significant first round upsets which deprived Mexican number one Samantha Teran and former world champion Vanessa Atkinson of second round places.  Teran, the 16th seed crashed out to rising star Annie Au, a 19-year-old qualifier from Hong Kong who took 36 minutes to earn her 11-5, 11-4, 3-11, 11-5 upset.

New Zealander Jaclyn Hawkes caused Atkinson's downfall, resisting a fight back by the 10th seed from the Netherlands to win 11-9, 11-7, 8-11, 10-12, 11-5 in 56 minutes.

Selby Secures Second Round Slot In
Manchester World Championship

Unseeded Englishman Daryl Selby delighted local crowds at the National Squash Centre in Manchester when he upset Finland's world No15 Olli Tuominen in the first round of the Hi-Tec World Open Squash Championships at Sportcity.

The world's leading players from more than 30 countries are competing in the Hi-Tec World Squash Championships – Manchester 2008, the first ever joint staging of the Men's World Open and Women's World Open in the UK.

Selby, the world No36 from Essex, battled for 50 minutes to flay the Flying Finn 11-8, 11-3, 11-4.

"That was one of my best wins ever - I'm ecstatic!  Olli's a fantastic player who's been up there with the world's best for a number of years," said the 25-year-old from Witham.  "I knew I had the chance to beat him, but I had to play out of my skin to do it.

"It's nice to play in front of a home crowd.  This is a fantastic event and I really want to do well here."

Yorkshireman James Willstrop, the world No3, led a group of 10 of Britons through to the second round.  The 25-year-old England number one, in his sixth successive appearance in the event, beat compatriot Ben Ford, a 33-year-old qualifier making his maiden appearance, 11-4, 11-7, 11-5.

Willstrop's England team-mates internationals Nick Matthew and Peter Barker claimed early victories on the day's schedule - and later Lee Beachill, the fourth member of the squad which lifted the world team crown last year, also cruised into the second day after beating fellow countryman Robbie Temple, a qualifier, 11-6, 11-3, 11-1.

Nick Matthew, the world No7 from Sheffield, had the honour of competing in the opening match of the championships on the spectacular all-glass show court.  The former British Open champion, playing on home soil for the first time since undergoing shoulder surgery in January, eased to an 11-9, 11-7, 11-5 victory over Pakistan qualifier Shahid Zaman.

"I'm relaxed and relieved," said Matthew after beating the former world No14.  "I didn't really feel comfortable out there - I was a bit edgy.  But it's nice to get that one under the belt - particularly against Shahid.  No-one hits a squash ball better than he does."

Peter Barker, the world No11 from London who arrived in Manchester fresh from two major Tour wins in the USA last month, despatched Mexican number one Eric Galvez 11-4, 11-5, 11-1. 

"I'm pleased with the way I played - I managed to contain him in the back of the court - he's so dangerous at the front," said the 25-year-old.  "I'm in good shape physically - and having a couple of wins behind you gives you a lot of confidence.  But I'm really enjoying life at the moment - and that's transferring into my squash.  You could say that I'm a really happy bunny! 

"Obviously it's great having home advantage.  This is the tournament that everybody's peaking for - so there should be no excuses this week.  Everybody wants to do well but only one player can win it.  But there'll be a few upsets as there's a lot of pressure.  I'll play Joey (Barrington) tomorrow and that's all I want to think about," added Barker.

Joey Barrington, son of former great Jonah Barrington, winner of a then record six British Open titles more than three decades ago, battled for 100 minutes to beat Australian Aaron Frankcomb 11-3, 11-3, 12-10.  The victory in the longest match of the day marks Barrington junior's first World Open win at his fourth attempt.

But it was another Jonah Barrington protégé that caused the first upset in the men's event when Egyptian qualifierMohamed El Shorbagy beat experienced Frenchman Renan Lavigne in five games.  The 17-year-old pupil at Millfield School in Somerset - where he is coached by Barrington senior - twice came from behind to win 10-12, 11-6, 7-11, 11-6, 11-8 and claim an unexpected place in the second round.

A further notable upset came towards the end of the day when Jorge Isaac Baltazar Ferreira, a Mexican qualifier making his World Open debut, twice rescued game deficits to beat experienced Egyptian Mohammed Abbas 11-13, 11-7, 5-11, 12-10, 11-9 in 75 minutes.

"This is probably one of the best wins of my career - and what makes it even better is that this is the World Open, and my first one," exclaimed the 25-year-old from Mexico City.

"Abbas was in the top 10 - he’s got a lot of experience.  But today, I felt strong and fit.  He moved me a lot, send me at the front, at the back, but I was still moving well.  Now, I'm really looking forward to my next match."

Event favourite Amr Shabana overcame a shaky start to beat German qualifier Simon Rosner 6-11, 11-5, 11-3, 11-5. The defending champion from Egypt will now face Spanish number one Borja Golan for a place in the last sixteen.

The world number one's highly-rated compatriot Ramy Ashour also recorded a straightforward first round win.  The 21-year-old from Cairo, who missed the 2007 event because of injury, despatched French qualifier Yann Perrin 11-5, 11-6, 12-10.

"I really want to win the World Open - but more important to me is to reach the end of the tournament injury-free," said the exuberant fourth seed.  "All I can remember is that when I was last in England, I suffered with injury at the British Open in Liverpool. 

"I felt I was young and invincible - and could win everything - but realised that I was abusing my body," explained Ashour.  "So when I landed in England a few days ago, I said to myself, 'please let me be OK this time'. 

"But this event is fantastic - it's so well organised.  Yesterday's qualifying finals were amazing - people were killing themselves to get into the first round.  But now I need to think about my brother - I just hope Hisham wins his first match!"

Ashour senior later joined Ramy in the second round after beating England's Chris Ryder 11-9, 11-8, 11-5.

Second seed Gregory Gaultier, leading a record six-strong team of Frenchmen in the event, had to work hard to beat Switzerland's former European Junior champion Nicolas Mueller 11-6, 12-10, 11-9.

Ranked 150 in the world, Muller was the lowest-ranked player to qualify - becoming the first Swiss man for five years to compete in the first round.

"It's the first time I have played him - and he played very well," said Gaultier, the world No2.  "I was surprised - he gave me a good game, which was what I wanted.  He wasn't at all shy!

"I like it here - I like the court and have good memories.  It's a good vibe for me.

"The organisation is good - if all other tournaments were run like this, it would be good for the sport," added the five times European champion from Aix-en-Provence.  "It's what we need if we want to be an Olympic sport."

In one of the last matches of the day, Mohd Azlan Iskandar became the highest seed to fall when he was beaten by New Zealander Kashif Shuja.  The unseeded Kiwi fought back from two games down to topple the 11th seed from Malaysia 12-14, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-9 in 59 minutes.

It was a case of 'sixth time lucky' for event Ambassador Sarah Kippax in the qualifying finals of the women's championship when she beat fellow Englishwoman Laura Hill 11-9, 11-5, 11-3 to claim her maiden place in the event's first round.

"I think I've got used to her game now," said Chester-born Kippax.  "We've played so many times already this year - and I've adjusted my game to suit.

"I'm delighted to qualify for the World Open main draw for the first time - I've been in qualifying five times before and never made it, so it's great to get there at last.  It's extra special as it's in Manchester, with all the build-up."

Earlier, Manchester City Council Head of Leisure Eamonn O'Rourke welcomed the crowds in the centre at the official Opening Ceremony.  "This is Manchester's sixth world championships this year and we're delighted to be hosting the Hi-Tec World Squash Championships."

In highlighting the significance of Squash in the city, O'Rourke pointed out that "there are 6,000 kids who are part of the Manchester Squash Development Programme."

After reigning world champions Amr Shabana and Rachael Grinham, of Australia, handed over the official World Squash Federation flag to England captains Lee Beachill and Vicky Botwright, England Squash Chairman Zena Wooldridgedeclared the championships open.

Daily Update from Howard Harding

Day Two, Sun 12th: 

Home Pair Earn World Championship Debuts In Manchester

English players Ben Ford and Robbie Temple scored significant upsets in the qualifying finals of the Hi-Tec World Open Squash Championships to ensure that 14 Britons will compete in the sport's premier men's event at theNational Squash Centre at Sportcity in Manchester

The world's leading players from more than 30 countries are competing in the Hi-Tec World Squash Championships – Manchester 2008, the first ever joint staging of the Men's World Open and Women's World Open in the UK.

Ford, from Kent, beat higher-ranked Malaysian Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan - then announced that his first ever appearance in the world's most prestigious event may be his last on the professional tour.

The 33-year-old world number 89 from Welling, fought back from a game down to despatch Adnan - ranked 30 places higher - 10-12, 11-9, 11-5, 11-9 in 66 minutes to claim a place in the World Open main draw for the first time.

The squash professional at clubs in London and Surrey, Ford left it until he was over 30 before joining the PSA Tour.  "I set myself two goals last year - to get into the top 100 and win a Tour title - and I did both, so I was pretty pleased," said the England No18.

"This year I was determined to get into the World Open - especially as it was here in England - and I am delighted to have done that today.

"The last time I played Adnan, he beat me in five, so I wanted to get my revenge. 

"I'm taking on a new coaching job in Bexley shortly - and my wife is expecting our first child in January - so things are getting a bit hectic at the moment.  I'd prefer to just play tournaments in England in the future, so I may quit the Tour.

"I've looked at the draw, and I could get any one of the top five players in the world in the first round.  I'd be happy to play any of them - not because I think I could win, but just for the experience!"

Robbie Temple, who fought back from two games and 8-1 down to win his first qualifying round match, confounded the seedings in the qualifying finals with an 11-6, 11-9, 16-14 victory over South African Jesse Engelbrecht, ranked 55 in the world.

"Yesterday's match was a vital wake-up call for me - I wouldn't have won today otherwise," conceded the London-based left-hander from Gloucester.  "I've had a bit of a loss of confidence recently so it's good to be back in form.

"I really hope I get to play on the glass court tomorrow - and it would be great if it would be against Ramy Ashour," added the 22-year-old world No76.  "We played all the way through juniors and became good friends."

Egypt's world junior champion Mohamed El Shorbagy will make his debut in the senior world championship after beating Englishman Joe Lee 11-4, 11-8, 11-5.

"I'd played Joe twice before, and that was very useful to me," explained the 17-year-old UK-based Egyptian afterwards. "But what was even more useful, was what he said yesterday after his match - he said that he'd learned a lot from our last two encounters!  So, I thought and decided to play a completely different way that I would have done naturally, to surprise him!

"First, I tried and mixed my game between an English game, that he is used to, and an Egyptian one.  So I was making the rallies last as long as possible, as I knew he was going to be tired, and I also slowed down the pace, to tire him even more.

"I’m so happy to get into my first World Open," added El Shorbagy.  "For me, this is the real start of my PSA career."

After last year's men's World Open draw was devoid of Pakistanis for the first time in history, Shahid Zaman raised the total entries this year to four when he upset Egyptian Amr Mansi 11-9, 11-8, 11-6.  Zaman, once ranked 14 in the world, has dropped to an eight-year ranking low of 95 - and is now making his first appearance in the World Open for three years.

"I am living back in my home town of Quetta in Pakistan now, with my wife, and feel I still have at least four years of squash left in me," said the exuberant 26-year-old after his qualifying triumph.  "The problem with living in Pakistan is that there is not a lot of competition - but I am running in the mountains to keep fit."

Another country celebrating a record presence in the 2008 World Open is Mexico.  With just a sole player in the men's event last year, the Central American nation will be represented by three players in Manchester, with world No35 Eric Galvez joined in the main draw by qualifiers Jorge Isaac Baltazar Ferreira and Arturo Salazar.

Baltazar Ferreira, a 25-year-old from Mexico City, defeated India's Siddharth Suchde 11-7, 11-5, 11-4 while 20-year-old Salazar, from San Luis Potosi, removed Australian Steve Finitsis 7-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-7.

"That was a hard game, the scoreline really doesn't do it justice," admitted Baltazar Ferreira.  "It's my first World Open, so it's a pleasure to qualify.  I'd like to play one of the world's top eight in the main draw, but I'll be happy with whoever I get."

Nicolas Mueller became the first Swiss player to make the first round of the World Open for five years when he recorded his second successive upset in the qualifiers to beat New Zealand's Campbell Grayson 9-11, 3-11, 11-7, 11-1, 11-8.

"I got a bit nervous towards the end - it's my first World Open, my first big PSA event really, after coming out of the juniors," said the 19-year-old former European Junior champion.  "I'm really excited about it and looking forward to the draw."

Local hero Andrew Whipp was three points away from becoming the only unranked player in the main draw when Australian Ryan Cuskelly took four points in a row to claim victory.  Two games down, Manchester-based Whipp saved four match-balls in the third before taking the game.  After also winning the fourth, he led 8-7 in the decider before Cuskelly, from New South Wales, clinched his 11-8, 11-7, 11-13, 3-11, 11-8 win in 79 minutes.

Sarah Kippax survived an all-Cheshire clash to claim a place in the qualifying finals of the Women's World Open.  The Chester-born 25-year-old is the event's 'Official Ambassador', who faced Cheshire county team-mate Laura Mylotte in the first qualifying round.

After winning the first two games, Kippax squandered a 7-3 lead in the third as Mylotte, born in Galway and representing Ireland, moved to game-ball at 10-8.  But the Ambassador fought back to clinch an 11-4, 11-2, 12-10 victory to set up an all-English qualifying final clash with Derbyshire fire-fighter Laura Hill.

"It's nice to finally get on court after the big build-up," said Kippax after her win.  "I suppose I have been a little more anxious about this match than I might have been. 

"We've had tough battles in the past.  But I was pleased with my game today - though she came back in the third and I had to steady myself.  I was quite relieved at the end."

Kippax admits that has loved her Ambassadorial role:  "It was quite nerve-wracking at first, but I've really enjoyed it - doing radio interviews and helping on the PR side. 

"In fact, being involved behind-the-scenes like this makes you realise just how much work goes into putting on a tournament like this!"

Lauren Siddall and Suzie Pierrepont will also be taking English interest through to the women's qualifying finals.  Siddall, 23, from Pontefract in Yorkshire, beat Sweden's Anna-Carin Forstadius 11-5, 11-6, 11-2 and will now take on USA'sLatasha Khan for a place in the main draw.  Sussex player Pierrepont, who is now based in Philadelphia, USA, recovered from a game down to beat Hong Kong's Joey Chan 8-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-8 and will now meet Malaysian Low Wee Wern.

Day One, Sat 11th:
English Trio Celebrate
World Championship Upsets

Englishmen Joe Lee, Joel Hinds and Andrew Whipp claimed notable upsets in themen's first qualifying round of the Hi-Tec World Open Squash Championships at the National Squash Centre at Sportcity in Manchester.

The world's leading players from more than 30 countries are competing in the Hi-Tec World Squash Championships – Manchester 2008, the first ever joint staging of the Men's World Open and Women's World Open in the UK.

England junior international Joe Lee, playing in his first event as a senior after celebrating his 19th birthday this week, twice came back from behind to beat Irish international John Rooney 7-11, 20-18, 5-11, 11-6, 11-6 in 69 minutes. 

"My first impression of the draw was that it was not the best - but not the worst either," said the London-born teenager from Walton-on-Thames.  "John beat me the last two times we played each other, so I was glad to get my first win over him," added Lee, ranked almost 40 places lower than his opponent.

Lee now takes on Egyptian Mohamed El Shorbagy, the world junior champion who took only 19 minutes to despatchIssa Kamara, from Sierra Leone, 11-5, 11-7, 11-9. 

"He beat me 3/0 the last two times we played - but I've got stuff to think about from those matches, so I hope I can turn it to my advantage," said Lee.

Joel Hinds took full advantage of a late call-up for a place in the qualifying draw.  "I was meant to be playing a tournament in Coventry this weekend, but got a call at two o' clock yesterday so obviously I had to come here," said the 21-year-old from Derbyshire after his shock 11-5, 11-8, 12-10 win over Bradley Hindle, an Australian ranked over 200 places higher in the world.

"I was just turning up to see how I played, with no expectations - so it's a big bonus to win, especially in three."

Hinds now faces the top-ranked qualifier Dylan Bennett after the Dutchman put out local prospect Morgan Hibberd 11-6, 11-7, 11-6.

Morgan and his 18-year-old twin brother Ky Hibbard were making their maiden appearance in the world championships just eight years after being introduced to the sport at school as the result of a promotional initiative run by theManchester Squash Development Programme from the National Centre.

Coincidentally, the twins played simultaneously on adjacent courts - and both fell to experienced opponents, Ky going down 11-6, 11-1, 11-6 to 33-year-old world-ranked Englishman Ben Ford.

"It was a great experience - I'm happy with the way I played.  I rallied with him but he's just a different level, I was always one step behind," said Morgan after his defeat by Bennett, the world No50.  "But I always go on court hoping I can win."

A few weeks after their introduction to the game, the Hibberds joined junior county squads and quickly progressed. Morgan became the British U17 number one last year and both have now qualified as coaches and work at the centre.

"If it wasn't for the chance introduction to squash when we were at school, we might never have come across the sport." Ky explained.  "Hopefully we'll now be able to inspire other youngsters to take up squash."

Local hero Andrew Whipp pulled off the most stunning upset when he beat American Christopher Gordon.  The unranked 27-year-old from Stockport recovered from a game down to stun the 22-year-old world No75 from New York 6-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-5 in 55 minutes.

In one of only two all-English clashes on the National Centre courts - and in a 69-minute match in which both players received conduct warnings from the referee - Robbie Temple recovered from two games down to beat Surrey's Philip Nightingale 10-12, 9-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-6.  The left-hander from Gloucestershire goes on to play London-based South African Jesse Engelbrecht for a place in the main draw.