Seeds Advance in Wasatch Funds Salt Lake City Open

Ireland's six seed Arthur Gaskin defeated nine-time U.S. champion Julian Illingworth in three games.
Ireland’s six seed Arthur Gaskin defeated nine-time U.S. champion Julian Illingworth in three games. (image: Morgan Leigh)

Salt Lake City Open Draw

U.S. Pro Series Live

The fourth U.S. Pro Series Wasatch Funds Salt Lake City Open is underway in the beehive state at Squash Works. All eight seeds in the the sixteen-player $10,000 men’s draw advanced in three games Tuesday night to reach Wednesday’s quarterfinals.

Nine-time U.S. champion Julian Illingworth and world No. 170 Faraz Khan found themselves on the losing end of their openers against Arthur Gaskin and Ben Coleman respectively.

Sixth-seeded Gaskin, world No. 92, defeated Illingworth 12-10, 11-4, 11-2, in thirty-six minutes.

Coleman (R) against Khan in the first round. (image: Morgan Leigh)
Coleman (R) against Khan in the first round. (image: Morgan Leigh)

“I knew the start was going to be tough,” Gaskin said after the match. “My plan was to make the first game tough and physical—win or lose. He’s a clever player and has played for a very long time so he was a tough draw to begin with. I knew if I won the first game it would put me in a very strong position. The most important stage of the game was when I was down 2-4 in the second, I felt like I lost my way a little bit mentally so I jeered myself up, and I thought if I can just push myself to up the tempo. I was working hard to apply pressure and take time away from him, at 7-4, 8-4, in the second, I felt like he was really hurting. In the third I felt that I could start expressing myself a little bit more, and opening up the court.”

Third-seeded Coleman, world No. 67, took care of Khan 11-9, 11-8, 11-5, in forty minutes.

“It was a tough three love, but happy to win three love and advance.” said Coleman, who reached the semifinals in Salt Lake City last year.”I had a good result last year getting to the semifinals and beating a higher-ranked player to get there. This year, I’m back, I like the place. I like the people, and I’m looking forward to going two steps further.”

Coleman he admitted he enjoyed playing at a higher altitude with a faster ball.

“It’s definitely different from what I’m used to, but it’s something you have to get used to mentally and physically. Technically, the ball moves a little bit differently, but it’s good. It’s an extra challenge and you’re all on the same court. It’s great, I like it.”

Wendesday’s quarterfinals begin at 5:30pm local time, 7:30pm ET. Follow live scoring on U.S. Pro Series Live powered by www.clublocker.com. To view a full image gallery by Morgan Leigh, click here.