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[11] Anthony Ricketts (Aus) bt [Q] Stefan Casteleyn (Bel)
15/5, 13/15, 15/7, 15/11 (46m)
[7] Mark Chaloner (Eng) bt [Q] Renan Lavigne (Fra) 15/7, 15/12,
9/15, 15/13 (62m)
[15] Amr Shabana (Egy) bt Olli Tuominen (Fin) 15/9, 12/15,
8/15, 15/11, 15/8 (74m)
[3] David Palmer (Aus) 19.45 Shahid Zaman (Pak) 15/5, 15/10, 15/12
(31m)
[Q] Adrian Grant (Eng) bt
[13] Alex Gough (Wal) 3/15, 15/7, 15/12, 11/15, 15/4 (79m)
[5] Thierry Lincou (Fra) bt [Q] Dan Jenson (Aus) 15/6, 15/13, 15/8
(32m)
[16] Paul Price (Aus) bt [Q] Stephen Meads (Eng) 15/4, 15/10, 15/5
(26m)
[2] Jonathon Power (Can) bt Paul Johnson (Eng) 15/7, 15/7,
15/6 (39m)
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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
For Power, it was apparently all down to his shoes. "I have not lost since I
started wearing these shoes. My first win was three weeks ago at the
Commonwealth Games and now I'm continuing here. I'm undefeated in these
shoes," Power told the SCMP after his win over an error-prone Johnson.
"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.
"I will make it affordable and price it around US$75. This is cheaper than
what is currently on offer by Adidas and Hi-Tec," said Power. Spectators
will be paying as much attention to his feet as to his legendary racket work
this week.
TITI ON SONG
THE story of last year's event was the impact of Thierry Lincou, who reached
the final and has stayed in the top half dozen in the world rankings ever
since.
"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.
To do this, the half-Chinese Frenchman will have to beat the top three
players in the world, Peter Nicol, Power and David Palmer - his only win
against any of these three remains last year's first round win over Nicol.
GRANT COMES OF AGE
The longest match of the day produced the only upset, with England's Adrian
Grant recording the best win of his short career, beating thirteenth seed
Alex Gough in five games and 79 minutes. Gough stormed the first, taking it
15/3, but Grant, playing in only his second Super Series event main draw,
came back strongly, winning the fifth with ease.
Quickest win of the day was in the last match, with Paul Price outclassing
English qualifier Stephen Meads in just 26 minutes.
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Beng Hee's many Fans
Asian Champion Ong Beng Hee conducted a
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Power looking to stay ahead of Nicol
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