Squash: Marshall rides out storm: 'Alternative' English champion ready to face world No 2 in British Open
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.PETER MARSHALL yesterday reached the quarter-finals of the Hi- Tec British Open championships at Wembley by beating Phil Whitlock, the winner of the boycotted English championships. It was a sporting, if fiercely contested, affair in which Marshall, the world No 5 who was the winner of the 'alternative' national title, had to save a game point in the fourth and needed an hour and 24 minutes before winning 7-9, 9-6, 9-2, 10-8.
Whitlock, who was sent to Coventry for breaking the boycott instituted by the players, said: 'There's only two players who won't talk to me now and Peter isn't one of these. If that's the way they want to be then fine - I'm just going to get on with it.'
He did this so constructively against Marshall that his performance against England's outstanding player was one of his best of the season.
Trailing 3-5 in the fourth game Marshall appeared briefly to have some physical problems. 'He was definitely struggling, but unfortunately I started to feel tired soon afterwards and I couldn't capitalise,' Whitlock said.
Nevertheless, he managed to reach an 8-7 advantage, after Marshall had made three marvellous retrieves, by combining a good length with a winner from a tight forehand drop shot.
Had Whitlock been able to squeeze his backhand drop above the tin in the next rally, the course of the contest might have been different. But Marshall rode his luck and played resiliently, if sometimes a little tensely, and may be in sound physical condition for his eagerly awaited match today with the world No 2 and second seed from Australia, Chris Dittmar.
Dittmar, the beaten finalist in 1985, ruthlessly destroyed the Finnish world No 9, Sami Elopuro, 9-2, 9-5, 9-5 in 39 minutes. His match against Marshall will be a repeat of their meeting in the Welsh Classic in Cardiff two months ago which Dittmar won in five games.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments