Squash: England's day to remember

CHRIS WALKER produced the best British win in a world championship when he beat the second seed and former world champion, Rodney Martin, in the World Open quarter-finals here yesterday.

It was the best day all round for the English in the 17-year history of the event as Peter Marshall had earlier become the first Englishman to reach the semi-finals since Gawain Briars in 1985 when he beat compatriot Tony Hands 15-8, 15-11, 15-14.

Walker's win by 13-15, 17-14, 15-10, 15-11 was a magnificent bonus, even if there was a hint that the Australian was still suffering from a hip problem.

The England No 2 had beaten Martin once before - in Hong Kong in 1991 when he was still world champion - and was confident he could repeat it. 'I went on thinking I could win, set out to stay with him in the middle of each game and then tried for some winners when there was a chance,' he said.

Walker next plays Jahangir Khan, the 10-times former British Open champion, who won 17-16, 17-15, 15-11 against Rodney's brother Brett Martin, the third seed.

The other semi-final also sees an Englishman versus a great Khan. Marshall plays the world champion Jansher Khan, who beat another Australian Rodney Eyles. That made it the first time there have been no Australians in the semi-finals since 1984.

Results, Sporting Digest, page 35