Azlan makes a winning start in North American Open

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s top player Mohd Azlan Iskandar made an excellent start in the US$115,000 North American Open squash tournament as he bids to win his first title of the year.

Playing in his first tournament since the World Series Finals in January, the 29-year-old Azlan was simply on top of his game as he eased past Kiwi qualifier Campbell Grayson 11-6, 11-8, 11-5 in the first round at Richmond.

Grayson, the world No. 57, had his chances in the match but Azlan was simply better as he came out tops in the 46-minute battle.

“I thought Grayson played well and he deserves praise for making it through to the main draw from the qualifiers but I was just a little better,” said Azlan on www.squashsite.

“It was obviously tougher than the score line suggests because it is very difficult playing top level squash.

“The best way is to not get too excited and place too much expectations on yourself.

“Consistency is also the key and I’m just happy to make small advances and not place too much emphasis on big leaps.”

The eighth-seeded Azlan will next face Egyptian qualifier Karim Abdel Gawad, who did well to upstage the higher-ranked Ryan Cuskelly of Australia.

The big guns are also through to the second round as top seed James Wilstrop of England and third seed Gregory Gaultier of France won their matches in convincing fashion.

Wilstrop defeated young Swiss player Nicolas Mueller 11-9, 11-6, 11-6 in 38 minutes while Gaultier was too strong for English lad Olivier Pett, winning 11-5, 11-6, 11-7.

The bottom half of the draw will be in action today, with second seed Nick Matthew of England and fourth seed Ramy Ashour of Egypt in the fray.