Bloody Day For US Men’s Squash, As All Six Americans
Lose Three-Zip In First-Round US Open Qualifiers
by Ted Gross for DailySquashReport.com
September 29, 2011 - Everyone associated with the US Men’s program - players, coaches and administrators - needs to take a hard look in the mirror after last night’s string of first-round US Open qualifying matches, where not one of six top Americans managed to win even one game on home soil in the most significant tournament in the United States.
The only match that had any degree of competitive edge was between Princeton’s Todd Harrity and 32-year-old French veteran Julien Balbo, with Harrity battling for 46 minutes and forcing a 16-14 second game before being closed out 11-7 in the third.
Otherwise:
Chris Ryder of England beat Graham Bassett 11-4 11-3 11-6 in 28 minutes.
Martin Knight of New Zealand beat junior champion Dylan Murray 11-3 11-6 11-5 in 28 minutes.
Shawn Delierre of Canada beat Julian Illingworth 11-4 11-5 11-6 in 31 minutes.
Ong Bee Hee of Malaysia beat Gilly Lane 11-4 11-9 11-3 in 38 minutes.
Alan Clyne of Scotland beat Chris Hanson 11-3 11-1 11-3 in 32 minutes.
The one top American man who avoided a loss yesterday is Chris Gordon, who was wildcarded directly into the main draw and will face sixth-seed Thierry Lincou on Saturday.
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