English pairing Ben Coleman from Essex and Surrey’s Tom Richards led the home charge through qualification in the 2015 Allam British Open, securing impressive 3-0 wins in their respective qualifying finals to move into the main draw, which gets underway at the Airco Arena, Hull, tomorrow.
Ben Coleman (right) on his way to victory of James Earles
Richards, the former World No.12, produced a commanding performance to see off talented French youngster Lucas Serme in a potentially tricky encounter to set up an all-English first round match-up with World No.14 Daryl Selby from Essex while Chelmsford’s Coleman dispatched James Earles to book his place to take on German World No.7 Simon Rösner.
Ben told Squash Site: “This is massive for me. I feel that this is the most prestigious event of all, especially me being from England, so I’m a bit short of words. I can only say I’m extremely happy.
“This is the first time I’ve experienced that kind of feeling. It’s all new to me. It’s what all young players want to do and I’m extremely proud I’ve achieved it.”
Essex’s Richie Fallows was unable to build on his excellent 3/0 victory over Finland’s Olli Tuominen in the first round of qualifying, going down 11-9, 11-7, 4-11, 11-8 in 53 minutes to Egyptian Zahed Mohamed.
Peter Barker completes the Essex presence. He faces Frenchyman Mathieu Castagnet in the first round.
In a jam-packed day of qualifying action at the University of Hull, Egyptian trio Zahed Mohamed, Mohamed Abouelghar and Omar Abdel Meguid also triumphed to ensure a ten-strong Egyptian presence in the main event while there were also victories for Leo Au, Lurens Jan Anjema and Nafiizwan Adnan.
Results – Qualification Finals:
[1] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt Greg Lobban (SCO) 3-2: 11-8, 7-11, 11-3, 6-11, 11-4 (61m)
[11] Zahed Mohamed (EGY) bt Richie Fallows (ENG) 3-1: 11-9, 11-7, 4-11, 11-8 (53m)
[5] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) bt [15] Nasir Iqbal (PAK) 3-1: 12-10, 2-11, 11-9, 11-5 (39m)
[4] Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) bt [16] Rex Hedrick (AUS) 3-1: 11-6, 11-9, 1-11, 11-6 (74m)
Ben Coleman (ENG) bt James Earles (ENG) 3-0: 11-8, 11-4, 11-9 (43m)
[6] Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) bt [9] Shaun Le Roux (RSA) 3-0: 11-8, 12-10, 11-6 (42m)
[8] Leo Au (HKG) bt [12] Henrik Mustonen (FIN) 3-1: 8-11, 11-0, 11-9, 11-8 (54m)
[2] Tom Richards (ENG) bt [14] Lucas Serme (FRA) 3-0: 14-12, 11-3, 11-0 (40m)
Draw – First Round: 2015 Allam British Open
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) v James Willstrop (ENG)
Saurav Ghosal (IND) v Borja Golan (ESP)
Fares Dessouki (EGY) v [Q] Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY)
[Q] Ben Coleman (ENG) v [7] Simon Rösner (GER)
[6] Peter Barker (ENG) v Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)
Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) v Alister Walker (BOT)
Gregoire Marche (FRA) v [Q] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY)
[Q] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) v [3] Nick Matthew (ENG)
[4] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) v Chris Simpson (ENG)
Cameron Pilley (AUS) v Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Stephen Coppinger (RSA) v [Q] Zahed Mohamed (EGY)
[WC] Adrian Waller (ENG) v [5] Tarek Momen (EGY)
[8] Omar Mosaad (EGY) v Max Lee (HKG)
Mazen Hesham (EGY) v [Q] Leo Au (HKG)
Daryl Selby (ENG) v [Q] Tom Richards (ENG)
[Q] Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) v [2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
