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arrow pointing leftBack 10 February 21 - by Donna Helmer

Top seeds prevail on day one of the AJ Bell England Squash Championships

Josh Masters and James Willstrop
Top seeds James Willstrop and Sarah-Jane Perry got their campaigns off to a winning start yesterday at the AJ Bell England Squash Championships in Manchester following straight games victories.

Commonwealth Games gold medalist James Willstrop [1] took control of Group A, downing 2018 World University champion Josh Masters in three: 11-5, 11-4, 11-4.

Meanwhile, British National champion Sarah-Jane Perry [1] dispatched tournament wildcard Lucy Beecroft in straight games (11-9, 11-5, 11-5). But it was England No.4 Julianne Courtice who finished top of Goup A with a convincing 3-0 victory over Anna Kimberley, prevailing 11-3, 11-2, 11-2.

Three-time English Junior champion Charlie Lee produced the biggest upset of the day, edging past 3/4 seed Tom Richards - the World No.34 - in a riveting four-game battle: 8-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-6.

Elsewhere in the men’s tournament, Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Declan James [2] and 2020 England Squash Challenge champion George Parker [3/4] justified their seeding by soaring to the top of Groups B and D respectively.

In Group B of the women’s, British National runner-up, Jasmine Hutton overcame Kace Bartley in straight games (11-7, 11-6, 11-7) to top the group, whilst second seed Millie Tomlinson - the World No.27 - battled to a 3-1 victory over Alicia Mead: 11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7.

Watch all the action from the all-glass court and side courts live on englandsquash.tv and Facebook. For draws and results visit: englandsquash.com/englandsquashchampionships