CATELLA SWEDISH OPEN 2003 - QUAL DAY 1 JM 1ST Qualifying Round The 2003 Catella Swedish Open got underway with Freddy Johnson, tournament director, conducting the draw for the 2 qualifying rounds, played at the Linkoping Squash Centre. There was local interest when Anders Thoren, a former player on the professional circuit, was drawn against the flying Finn, Mika Monto. It also proved to be the most entertaining match of the day with Thoren making the most of his wealth of experience in pushing his younger opponent to 5 games. Sadly, Anders could not quite extend the pressure long enough, eventually going down 9-15 in the final game. Two other Swedish players, Christian Drakenberg, Sweden’s only professional player, and Henrik Lofwenberg, were drawn against each other. Christian ran out a comfortable 3-0 winner. Other Swedish interest was disappointingly brushed aside with Badr Abdel Aziz losing 0-3 to Andy Whipp from England, and Joakim Karlsson also going out against another young English player Peter Barker. Rodney Durbach (South Africa), James Willstrop (England), and Jean Michel Arcucci (France) all received byes. David Evans, British Open champion 2 years ago, was one of the withdrawals. Full results: Joey Barrington (England) beat Martin Dzur (Czech Republic) 15/7 15/8 15/8 Christian Drakenberg (Sweden) beat Henrik Lofwenberg (Sweden) 15/1 15/6 15/11 Mika Monto (Finland) beat Anders Thoren (Sweden) 15/13 12/15 16/17 19/9 15/9 Andrew Whipp (England) beat Badr Abdel Aziz (Sweden) 15/8 15/14 15/11 Peter Barker (England) beat Joalim Karlsson (Sweden) 15/10 15/8 15/11 The 2nd qualifying round matches played at Linkoping Squash Club start at 16.30 on Wednesday. 16.30 Rodney Durbach v Joey Barrington 17.30 Christian Drakenberg v Jean Michel Arcucci 18.30 Mika Monto v Andrew Whipp 19.30 Peter Barker v James Willstrop Go Back