Chris Gordon, English Teenager James Advance In Atlanta PSA Challenger
by Howard Harding
11 May 2012 - English teenager Declan James claimed one of the best scalps in his burgeoning squash career when he ousted second seed Andrew Schnell in the opening round of the Atlanta Open, the PSA World Tour Challenger 10 event at Life Time Fitness Atlanta in Atlanta, USA.
The 19-year-old from Nottingham twice came from behind to topple Canadian Schnell 7-11, 11-7, 9-11, 15-13, 11-9.
"Relieved to win 11-9 in the fifth tonight good result for me but unhappy with the way I played," admitted James via Twitter afterwards. "Need to make improvements ahead of tomorrow."
The reigning European Junior champion now faces South African Clinton Leeuw for a place in the semi-finals. Leeuw defeated Zambian qualifier Patrick Chifunda 11-5, 11-6, 12-10.
There was further unexpected English success when qualifier Nathan Lake upset Canada's Fred Reid 11-3, 5-11, 11-8, 11-4.
Lake, also 19, from Cheltenham, progresses to take on third seed Christopher Gordon, the New York-born 25-year-old who leads US interest in the long-established Tour event.
Gordon beat Pakistan qualifier Ajaz Azmat 11-5, 13-11, 5-11, 11-5. The 34-year-old former world No38 was making his first Tour appearance for nine years.
RESULTS: PSA Challenger 10 Atlanta Open, Atlanta, USA
1st round:
[1] Jan Koukal (CZE) bt Ben Coleman (ENG) 11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 11-5
David Letourneau (CAN) bt Hernan D'Arcangelo (ARG) 11-5, 11-7, 10-12, 9-11, 11-5
Alfredo Avila (MEX) bt Christopher Binnie (JAM) 7-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-5
[4] Wade Johnstone (AUS) bt [Q] Robert Downer (ENG) 9-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-9
[3] Christopher Gordon (USA) bt [Q] Ajaz Azmat (PAK) 11-5, 13-11, 5-11, 11-5
[Q] Nathan Lake (ENG) bt Fred Reid (CAN) 11-3, 5-11, 11-8, 11-4
Clinton Leeuw (RSA) bt [Q] Patrick Chifunda (ZAM) 11-5, 11-6, 12-10
Declan James (ENG) bt [2] Andrew Schnell (CAN) 7-11, 11-7, 9-11, 15-13, 11-9
Quarter-final line-up:
[1] Jan Koukal (CZE) v David Letourneau (CAN)
[4] Wade Johnstone (AUS) v Alfredo Avila (MEX)
[3] Christopher Gordon (USA) v [Q] Nathan Lake (ENG)
Declan James (ENG) v Clinton Leeuw (RSA)
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