Frenchman Greg Gaultier made a positive start in his bid to reach the men’s final of the European Individual Championships for the 8th successive year when he beat local Marcin Karwowski in 11-4, 11-6, 11-7 in Warsaw, Poland. Defending champion Thierry Lincou is the No2 seed and expected to meet Gaultier in the final for the 4th year in a row. Twice champion Lincou, the former world No1, beat Slovakian qualifier Peter Kviecinsky 11-6, 11-4, 11-9. Croatian Manuel Fistonic (pic), England’s Nathan Lake and Czech Roman Svec all produced upsets over seeded opponents to secure unexpected places in the last 16. There were no upsets in the women’s event where Camille Serme is favourite to win the title for the 1st time. The world No9 defeated Spanish qualifier Xisela Aranda Nunez 11-4, 11-5, 11-2. Serme is expected to meet England’s Emma Beddoes in the final. 2nd seed Beddoes needed just 18 minutes to squash Dutch qualifier Ilona Lagerweij 11-3, 11-1, 11-5.
