Lake And Fallows Stun Seeds As English Quartet Reach Main Draw At British Grand Prix

The main draw for the 2016 AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix has been finalised after a four strong English contingent, led by surprise victors Nathan Lake and Richie Fallows, came through two days of qualification action to reach the main draw of the PSA M70 tournament which gets underway at the National Squash Centre, Manchester tomorrow (Dec 2).

Up against second seeded qualifier Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi, the Qatar number one who sits almost 30 places above him on the PSA World Rankings, Cheltenham’s Lake produced a superb performance to come through in convincing fashion as he sealed a straight games win after 51 minutes.

The 24-year-old will now face Hong Kong’s Max Lee in the first round while Fallows, the 21-year-old Londoner, also bridged a gap of 30 places on the rankings to defeat third seeded Joe Lee, coming through a tight and tense fifth game tie-break 13-11 after 80 punishing minutes.

Fallows will take on Tom Richards in the main draw while top seeded qualifier Declan James set up an intriguing battle with former World No.1 James Willstrop after he overcame Angus Gillams – with Joshua Masters rounding out the winners courtesy of a comfortable 3-0 win over Alex Noakes.

Results – Qualification Finals: AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix 2016
[1] Declan James (ENG) bt [7] Angus Gillams (ENG) 11-4, 10-6 retired
[8] Nathan Lake (ENG) bt [2] Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT) 3-0: 11-9, 11-4, 11-3 (51m)
Richie Fallows (ENG) bt [3] Joe Lee (ENG) 3-2: 11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-13 (80m)
[6] Joshua Masters (ENG) bt [L] Alex Noakes (ENG) 3-0: 11-4, 11-5, 11-8 (28m)

Draw – First Round:
[1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v Adrian Waller (ENG)
Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) v [7] Chris Simpson (ENG)
[6] James Willstrop (ENG) v [Q] Declan James (ENG)
Alan Clyne (SCO) v [3] Cameron Pilley (AUS)
[4] Daryl Selby (ENG) v [Q] Joshua Masters (ENG)
[Q] Richie Fallows (ENG) v [8] Tom Richards (ENG)
[5] Max Lee (HKG) v [Q] Nathan Lake (ENG)
[WC] Joel Makin (WAL) v [2] Nick Matthew (ENG)

Tickets for the 2016 AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix can be booked online at www.isportstore.com, by telephone on 0844 8797 949 or for more information email sales@isportstore.com.

More information regarding the 2016 AJ Bell British Squash Grand Prix can be found at: www.ajbellsquashgrandprix.com