Chris through at the Dutch Open

Wednesday 25th November 2009, 2:29PM GMT.

CHRIS SIMPSON (pictured) was made to work hard to progress through his first round qualifying match at the Dutch Open yesterday.

The Sarnian squash player, who is ranked 49th in the world, had to come from two games to one down to beat Bradley Hindle from Malta, a man 24 places below Simpson in the world list.

The match lasted 71 minutes at Victoria Squash, in Rotterdam, with Simpson (pictured) eventually emerging an 8-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-4, 11-6 winner.

The Sarnian now faces Australian Ryan Cuskelly for a place in the main draw of the $40,000 PSA Tour four-star event.

The left-handed Cuskelly, the world No. 61, had few problems in overcoming home player Frank Hartkoren in straight games and just 26 minutes yesterday.

Top seed and world No. 9 Peter Barker has been forced to withdraw from the championship because of an ankle injury.