Julian’s Tomlinson’s journey as a young squash professional continues with a good weekend at the British Open Squash Championship.
The young Bolton professional was edged out by eventual winner Ben Ford, the current British Over 35 champion and ranked 130 in the world.
Yet the David Lloyd pro pushed his more experienced opponent all the way and, with a little bit of luck, could have won through.
“It is great experience for me,” Tomlinson said, “but it is frustrating to know that I was so close, yet couldn’t see it out.
“Ben is a quality opponent with plenty of experience and matches like this prove my ability, I now have to take the next step.
“Ben went onto win the competition and qualifies for the British Open so of course it makes you think about what could have been but this is a learning curve and I will only benefit from it in the long run.”
Having eased past Karl Plunkett in the first round, winning three-nil inside 19 minutes and dropping just ten points along the way, he was he was paired against Ford.
Ford started strongly taking the first 11-4 but as the 18-year-old relaxed his performance improved and he only narrowly lost the second 11-9 and the third by the same scoreline.
On another day the Bolton youngster could well have reversed the result but he struggled at the vital moment to close the door on his experience opponent, ending his hopes of qualification.
Ford went onto beat Tristan Eysele in the Final after a tough five setter to book his place in the British Open alongside fellow qualifiers Joey Barrington and Richie Fallows.
Considering the opposition Julian will take heart from the performance and the experience will make him stronger for next year.
http://www.britishopensquash.net/ford-seals-spot-in-qualifying/
