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First round, bottom half, Wed 28th Aug | |
[11] Anthony Ricketts (Aus) bt [Q] Stefan Casteleyn (Bel)
15/5, 13/15, 15/7, 15/11 (46m) |
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BIG GUNS POWER THROUGH ... | |
QUICK MATCHES ON THE
SHOWCOURT After yesterday's shocks, normal order was restored in Hong Kong today, with all the top seeds in the bottom half of the draw coming through their first round matches with ease. Thierry Lincou, last year's beaten finalist, was first on the main showcourt, and beat Australian qualifier Dan Jensen in convincing fashion in 32 minutes to set the tone for the day's play. Second seed and tournament favourite Jonathon Power was in a similar hurry, needing 39 minutes to overcome England's Paul Johnson, and in the third match on defending champion David Palmer routed Pakistan's young challenger Shahid Zaman in just 31 minutes. IT'S ALL IN THE SHOES "I felt pretty relaxed out there today. After missing out last year, it took me a little time to get used to the court. Paul played pretty well, but I was not in too much danger out there," said Power. Power missed out on this event last year, falling victim to food poisoning on the eve of the event, but is determined both to win and use the opportunity to promote his new range of shoes. "I will officially launch these shoes, which I have
branded as JP Squash, at the US Open which begins on September 11 in Boston.
At the moment the only shoes available are what I have with me. I wore a
prototype and won the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. These are now
the finished article," said Power pointing proudly to his footwear. TITI ON SONG "I have had a wonderful year since reaching the
final in Hong Kong last year. It has been my greatest achievement in my
career so far. I hope I can go one better this time," Lincou, whose
rankings were in the 20's last year, told the SCMP. GRANT COMES OF AGE |
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