London Open RD2: Herbert Downs Defending Champ Willstrop

England’s Simon Herbert took a major scalp on day two of the London Open, beating three-time defending champion and former World No.1 James Willstrop.

Willstrop, who won this event in 2018, 2019 and 2021, came in as the top seed, while Herbert was unseeded. However, some quick-fire squash from the World No.87 saw him move two games in front. The former World No.1 then won the third to fight back into the contest, but Herbert was too strong for his compatriot, winning in four games.

Elsewhere in the men’s draw, fellow Englishman Joe Lee also caused an upset. He defeated Portuguese No.1 Rui Soares in a five-game battle, fending off a comeback from the No.6 seed. Argentina’s Leandro Romiglio also upset the seedings, as he beat Scotland’s Rory Stewart, the No.8 seed, in a four-game contest, fighting back after losing the first on a tie-break.

There were three more surprises in the women’s event, with Egypt’s Rana Ismail downing No.3 seed Katie Malliff. She lost the first game to the young Englishwoman, but then battled back to win in four, securing her spot in the quarter finals.

She will take on England’s Alicia Mead, who also took down a seed on day two in London. The Englishwoman defeated Tessa ter Sluis, the Dutch No.5 seed, in four, while compatriot Asia Harris got the better of No.6 seed Nadia Pfister, also in four games.

The London Open continues on Friday, November 10 with the quarter finals in both competitions. The last eight in both draws will do battle to try and reach the semis of the Challenger 20 and 10 level events.

Men’s Second Round Results: London Open
Simon Herbert (ENG) bt [1] James Willstrop (ENG) 3-1: 11-6, 11-2, 9-11, 11-5 (37m)
[5] Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) bt Miles Jenkins (ENG) 3-2: 11-5, 10-12, 11-4, 14-16, 11-6 (57m)
Joe Lee (ENG) bt [6] Rui Soares (POR) 3-2: 11-5, 11-7, 9-11, 4-11, 11-6 (77m)
[4] Nick Wall (ENG) bt Daniel Poleshchuk (ISR) 3-2: 12-14, 6-11, 11-3, 11-2, 11-4 (55m)
[3] Nathan Lake (ENG) bt Emyr Evans (WAL) 3-1: 12-10, 6-11, 11-6, 11-3 (47m)
Leandro Romiglio (ARG) bt [8] Rory Stewart (SCO) 3-1: 12-14, 11-1, 11-4, 11-5 (47m)
[7] Curtis Malik (ENG) bt Ben Coleman (ENG) 3-1: 11-7, 11-7, 3-11, 12-10 (50m)
[2] George Parker (ENG) bt Jakub Solnicky (CZE) 3-1: 11-4, 9-11, 11-2, 11-4 (38m)

Men’s Quarter Final Draw: To Be Played Friday, November 18
Simon Herbert (ENG) v [5] Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY)
Joe Lee (ENG)  v [4] Nick Wall (ENG)
[3] Nathan Lake (ENG) v Leandro Romiglio (ARG)
[7] Curtis Malik (ENG) v [2] George Parker (ENG)

Women’s Second Round Results: London Open
[1] Millie Tomlinson (ENG) bt [WC] Nour Ramy (EGY) 3-0: 11-4, 11-7, 11-3 (33m)
[7] Anna Kimberley (ENG) bt Akari Midorikawa (JPN) 3-1: 11-5, 6-11, 12-10, 11-9 (43m)
Asia Harris (ENG) bt [6] Nadia Pfister (SUI) 3-1: 8-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-8 (40m)
[4] Hana Moataz (EGY) bt Alison Thomson (SCO) 3-1: 11-4, 11-3, 8-11, 11-7 (32m)
Rana Ismail (EGY) bt [3] Katie Malliff (ENG) 3-1: 9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-9 (40m)
Alicia Mead (ENG) bt [5] Tessa ter Sluis (NED) 3-1: 11-4, 11-4, 8-11, 11-3 (45m)
[8] Torrie Malik (ENG) bt Polly Clark (ENG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-9, 11-9 (26m)
[2] Georgia Adderley (SCO) bt Emilia Korhonen (FIN) 3-0: 11-5, 11-6, 11-5 (25m)

Women’s Quarter Final Draw: To Be Played Friday, November 18
[1] Millie Tomlinson (ENG) v [7] Anna Kimberley (ENG)
Asia Harris (ENG) v [4] Hana Moataz (EGY)
Rana Ismail (EGY) v Alicia Mead (ENG)
[8] Torrie Malik (ENG) v [2] Georgia Adderley (SCO)