Joelle starts well at British

New Zealand's Joelle King has made a solid start to the prestigious British Open Squash Championships in Hull.

The world number six is safely through to the second round, after an 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 victory over Canadian qualifier Sam Cornett.  However, King was made to work hard for her victory, clawing her way back from 7-0 down in the first game.

The 2012 quarterfinalist is just pleased to get through her tricky first round encounter.

"I had a lot of work to do after a start like that," admitted Joelle. "I knew it was going to be tough as Sam had had some good wins recently.

"I'm glad to get through that in three games obviously, and I'm really looking forward to playing in the KC stadium in Hull, it looks fantastic although I hear it's quite cold.

"Moving back to New Zealand and getting married has helped me to relax on court these days, I'm much less nervous than I used to be and I'm just enjoying playing.

King will meet Hong Kong's Annie Au in the second round.  The 13th seed earned her spot in the round of 16 with an 11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6 victory over Ireland's Aisling Blake.

Results

First round

1. Nicol David (MAS) def Q. Joshana Chinappa (IND) 11-4, 11-5, 11-4 (30 mins)
Sarah Kippax (ENG) def 10. Natalie Grinham (NED) 9-11, 13-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7 (68 mins)
6. Joelle ing (NZL) def Q. Sam Cornett (CAN) 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 (34 mins)
13. Annie Au (HKG) def Aisling Blake (IRL) 11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6 (56 mins)
4. Alison Waters (ENG) def Emily Whitlock (ENG) 11-13, 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 (56 mins)
16. Rachael Grinham (AUS) def Q. Nicolette Fernandes (GUY) 10-12, 1-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-8 (58 mins)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) def 7. Low Wee Wern (MAS) 11-7, 13-11, 7-11, 11-9 (62 mins)
12. Kasey Brown (AUS) def Q. Lauren Briggs (ENG) 11-6, 11-5, 11-7 (39 mins)
Nour El Tayeb (EGY) def 9. Camille Serme (FRA) 10-12, 11-6, 11-7, 11-5 (49 mins)
8. Jenny Duncalf (ENG) def Q. Latasha Khan (USA) 11-4, 11-4, 11-2 (24 mins)
11. Madeline Perry (IRL) def Q. Emma Beddoes (ENG) 12-10, 11-8, 11-9 (44 mins)
3. Raneem El Weleily (EGY) def Q. Delia Arnold (MAS) 8-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-4 (39 mins)
14. Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) def Donna Urquhart (AUS) 11-9, 11-4, 11-4 (22 mins)
5. Nour El Sherbini (EGY) def Q. Amanda Sobhy (USA) 12-10, 9-11, 14-12, 11-7 (47 mins)
15. Dipika Pallikal (IND) def Line Hansen (DEN) 13-11, 14-16, 11-6, 8-11, 11-4 (76 mins)
2. Laura Massaro (ENG) def Joey Chan (HKG) 14-12, 11-1, 11-6 (29 mins)

Full draw/results: http://www.britishopensquash.net/womens-draw-2013/