Chris now seeded in LA

Thursday 7th January 2010, 2:29PM GMT.

CHRIS SIMPSON has, in theory, been given an easier path through to the quarter-finals of the KIG Open in Los Angeles.

The Guernsey squash player had been scheduled to face fellow Briton Tom Richards, who is 13 places above him in the world rankings, in the first round of the main draw today.

However, the withdrawal of American Julian Illingsworth and Mexican Eric Galvez, who were both seeded, has seen Simpson promoted to eighth seed in the $28,000 PSA Tour 2.5-star event.

Following the reshuffle of the draw, the Sarnian will begin his new year against 24-year-old Australian Matthew Karwalski, the world No. 75, at the Los Angeles Athletic Club.

However, as was previously the case for Simpson, the winner is set to face the number one seed, Egyptian Tarek Momen, in the last eight.