Juan Vargas (COL) 3-2 Sam Todd (ENG) 6-11, 11-2, 11-8, 9-11, 11-2 (63m)
Yorkshire’s Sam Todd lost out 3-2 to Colombia’s Juan Vargas in the first men’s match of the evening session.
After leading 1-0, Todd was put under pressure by the Colombian as he moved ahead to 2-1. Todd battled back in the fourth game and managed to level at 11-9. Vargas looked the better of the two physically and used this to his advantage, claiming the fifth game 11-2.
Juan : “Credit to Sam, we’ve played before, so I know he’s a good, skilful player. He showed it in the fourth; I lost focus and he hit winners and made it difficult for me. I tried to stay calm and composed, so very relieved and happy to be through.
“I think I had to setlle, calm the nerves and just play good basic squash, he’s very skilful, so if you give him angels you’re in trouble. So I had to make it physical and get him tired and I also had some support in the crowd, so that helped me get through, too.
“ I knew that I had to start strong in the fifth game because if he got a lead, it would be tough to break him down. But happy to be through and I’ll prepare for my next round.”
