Malaysians in the Qualifiers

The world's leading players from more than 30 countries are competing in the Hi-Tec World Squash Championships – Manchester 2008, the first ever joint staging of the Men's World Open and Women's World Open in the UK.

Ford, from Kent, beat higher-ranked Malaysian Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan - then announced that his first ever appearance in the world's most prestigious event may be his last on the professional tour.

The 33-year-old world number 89 from Welling, fought back from a game down to despatch Adnan - ranked 30 places higher - 10-12, 11-9, 11-5, 11-9 in 66 minutes to claim a place in the World Open main draw for the first time.

Sarah Kippax survived an all-Cheshire clash to claim a place in the qualifying finals of the Women's World Open. The Chester-born 25-year-old is the event's 'Official Ambassador', who faced Cheshire county team-mate Laura Mylotte in the first qualifying round.

Lauren Siddall and Suzie Pierrepont will also be taking English interest through to the women's qualifying finals. Siddall, 23, from Pontefract in Yorkshire, beat Sweden's Anna-Carin Forstadius 11-5, 11-6, 11-2 and will now take on USA's Latasha Khan for a place in the main draw. Sussex player Pierrepont, who is now based in Philadelphia, USA, recovered from a game down to beat Hong Kong's Joey Chan 8-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-8 and will now meet Malaysian Low Wee Wern.

Men's qualifying finals:

Ben Ford (ENG) bt Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS)

10-12, 11-9, 11-5, 11-9 (66m)

Women's 1st qualifying round:

Low Wee Wern (MAS) bt Amelia Pittock (AUS)

11-9, 11-3, 11-8 (27m)

Delia Arnold (MAS) bt Lucie Fialova (CZE)

11-5, 11-4, 12-10 (26m)