Squash: Australians get the better of the British

THE British players Mark Cairns and Linda Charman both lost to leading Australians in the second round of the British Open Championships at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham yesterday.

Rodney Eyles, the fourth-seeded men's world champion, overcame a spirited challenge by Cairns, the 16th seed from Oxford 7-15, 15-11, 15-11, 7-15, 15-10 in 84 minutes to assure his country of a semi-finalist in the top half of the draw.

In the bottom half of the women's competition, the second-seeded defending champion, Michelle Martin, defeated Charman, the ninth seed from Sussex, 10-8, 9-4, 9-5 in 49 minutes.

Northumbria's Jane Martin also lost to an Australian as the fifth seed, Carol Owens, won their second-round match 9-5, 3-9, 9-6, 10-8. Australia are now assured of a semi-finalist in both the men's and women's draws.