THE ROBBER WITH THE CRAMPS

You have to feel sorry for the talented young Aussie Stewart Boswell. By rights he should be preparing for a second round match, but instead he'll be collecting his cheque and going home.

He had a long two-hour match with Alex Gough, the world number nine, and despite being ranked 21, Boswell put up a spirited fight and made Gough run hard enough to induce severe cramps in his left leg. But finally he was robbed on match ball that he mis-hit to give Gough a stroke for the all- important final point.

SLOW START, GREAT FINISH

It was not a promising start with long rallies to the back of the court with neither playing wanting to do anything daring or go for a winner. At the end of 25 minutes Boswell had demonstrated his right to be there by taking the first game 15-12.

The second game followed a similar pattern, neck and neck to 13-13 when Gough took the next two points to win the 23 minutes game 15-13.

A DISABILITY EXPLAINED.

Gough went 2/1 up winning the third 15-9 and it was in the fourth with Boswell just ahead that Gough requested time out for cramp. "Cramps are not an injury," intoned referee Barry Faguay, "they are a disability." Stunned by this explanation Gough asked if a broken leg was an injury. "Yes," came the reply, "if you can prove that it is broken." Gough carried on but lost the game 11-15 to make the match tied at 2/2.

REAL PAIN

Gough was getting frustrated by his inability to move with his normal speed because of the recurring cramps and trailing 6-9 he was in such pain he could barely move. He dived for a point and left the court suffering from "self inflicted injury" and after three minutes came back able to push the game to 14-14 where he was once more immobilised by pain, unable to move back to the T. Orderd to play on Gough replied "I'm trying to get there. It's a long way." He had no option but to call no set putting the entire two hour effort on one point. This was when Boswell, who had behaved impeccably throughout, mis-hit the ball and gave away the stroke that put Gough through to the next round.

WILLIAMS LOSES TOE HOLD.

The Sunday session started with a half-speed match as Graham Ryding, Canada's second best player took a straightforward and unexciting victory over John Williams of Australia. Looking wan and tired Williams tried to make a fight of it, but Ryding's predictable constancy earned a 3/0 decision in just over 31 minutes.

Williams said he had a bad toe, thought it might be from an infected blister and had been feverish for 24 hours after his qualifying match against Anthony Rickets. He said he'd had the same thing a few months back and it was in the back of his mind.

Dan Jenson had withdrawn with a bad back and Stefan Casteleyn also withdrew with undisclosed injuries.

BARADA ON TOP FORM

Chris Walker tried all his aerial acrobatics and amazing gets in his match against Ahmed Barada, the third seed, but Barada is just as fast - if not faster - and even some excellent deception and wrong-ways from Walker failed to fool Barada who seemed to be enjoying the workout. It was fun squash to watch and the sort of thing that makes the average club player think about the meaning of the game, yet again.

Walker, who'se international career is beginning to wind down - he's fast approaching 33 - is still an entertaining player to watch and deserves a world stage.