Sport in Short: Squash

PAKISTAN'S Jansher Khan was the first player into the quarter-finals of the Qatar International men's tournament in Doha yesterday. The World and British Open champion, and world No 1, beat England's Chris Walker in straight games,

17-15, 15-7, 15-10 in just 37 minutes. Jansher will next play Sami Elopuro, the world No 6 from Finland who had a comfortable 15-12, 15-14, 15-8 victory over the English qualifier John Ransome. Peter Marshall of England moved into the quarter-finals through a 15-11 12-15 15-12 15-4 victory over the former world champion Ross Norman, of New Zealand.

QATAR INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT Second round: Jansher Khan (Pak) bt C Walker (Eng) 17-15 15-7 15-10; S Elopuro (Fin) bt J Ransome (Eng) 15-12 15-4 15-8; R Martin (Aus) bt S Parke (Eng) 8-15 15-11 15-9 17-16; P Marshall (Eng) bt R Norman (NZ) 15-11 12-15 15-12 15-4; J Bonetat (Fr) bt R Eyles (Aus) 12-15 15-4 13-15 15-12 15-13; B Martin (Aus) bt D Harris (Eng) 15-12 15-14 17-16; T Nancarrow (Aus) bt P Whitlock (Eng) 17-15 15-10 15-10; C Dittmar (Aus) bt G Waite (Can) 11-15 15-4 15-6 15-10.

ENGLAND'S top 20 players confirmed they will be boycotting the national championship next month. In a statement issued at the Qatar Open in Doha, where most are competing, the players accused the Squash Racquets Association of blackmailing them. They demanded an increase in prize-money and the restoration of the traditional British Closed title for the event, instead of the proposed England-only tournament. They were refused by the SRA, which says it has to cut costs to keep the event going.