Close squash tussles

Press, 20 July 1979, Page 24

Close squash tussles

By TIM DUNBAR With just one qualifying round remaining in ’ the $13,000 Ballins international challenge squash series a ven’ interesting situation has arisen. The world’s third-ranked professional, Mohibullah Khan (Pakistan), comfortably leads with 10 points, but there is nothing between the two New Zealanders, Bruce Brownlee and Murray Lilley (seven points), and the other Pakistani, Gogi Alauddin (six). (Two points are awarded for a win and one for a loss). If Mohibullah beats Brownlee at Timaru tonight and Gogi beats Lilley then there will be three players on eight points. The order of qualification

is vitally’ important as in the i semi-finals at Christchurchl on Saturday the bottom qualifier will have to meet the so far unbeaten Mohibullah with the second qualifier meeting the third. It was decided yesterday’ that a countback on individ-l ual games for and against would be made if necessary. On this basis Brownlee (10, 10) is rather better placed than Lilley (8, 11) and Gogi (7, 14). Lilley can thus still lose to Gogi and be third qualifier if he takes the match the full distance of five games. A points countback might be necessary if Gogi won, 3-1, with the games differential (10-15, Gogi, and' 9-14) being five in each! case. The latest round at the'

[Mitchell Park courts in Wellington on Wednesday evening brought Brownlee’s second successive upset of Gogi, the world's No. 5. Brownlee won. 10-8, 9-1, 8-10, 9-3, and was al wavs in control although he lost his length a little in the third after holding a match ball. In the other contest Lilley fought. hard before going down to Mohibullah. 8-10, 1-9, 8-10. Lilley led 8-4 in the third but was a little weary after his long 106 min match with Brownlee the previous evening. The Christchurch Squash Rackets Club reports that there is standing room only left for the Ballins finals on (Sunday at its courts in (Chester Street. A few good ! seats plus standing room are Heft for the semi-finals.