Simpson into the last 16

Wednesday 9th February 2011, 2:29PM GMT.

(Picture by Paul Guillou)

CHRIS SIMPSON was kept on court longer than he might have hoped, but is safely through to the second round of the British National Squash Championships.

The No. 8 seed Sarnian (pictured) took 48 minutes yesterday to overcome Peter Creed of Wales 11-6, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6 in Manchester and set up a clash with 12th seed Laurence Delasaux, who needed five games to beat Stephen Siveter.

The winner of Simpson v. Delasaux is set to face top seed and world No. 1 Nick Matthew in the quarter-finals.

In the women’s event, Guernsey Commonwealth Games player Zephanie Curgenven got through her opening qualifying match11-3, 13-11, 4-11, 10-12, 11-7 against Kirsty West.

However, despite a brave battle, she then lost her qualifying final against Rachel Willmott 11-3, 13-11, 5-11, 15-13 in 38 minutes.