Micah Franklin and Noah Browne have won their opening matches at the Pan American Squash Championships in Cayman Islands yesterday.

Franklin won his first game 11-1 before his opponent Dion Anselme, of the British Virgin Islands, retired injured, while Browne beat Nicolas Cabellero, of Paraguay, 12-10, 11-3, 11-5.

Elijah Simmons, of Bermuda, lost his opener 11-1, 11-3, 11-3 to Joe Chapman, of BVI.

All three Bermudian women’s players lost their opening matches.

Alex Furtado lost 11-7, 11-3, 11-3 to Ashley Khalil, of Guyana, Laura Robinson was defeated 11-9, 11-5, 11-7 by María Fernanda Pinot, of Guatemala, and Emma Keane was beaten 11-5, 11-8, 11-8 by Brazil’s Juliana Pereira.

Furtado said she was pleased with her performance but admitted her opponent was able to control the pace for much of the match. “This was my first international senior event, so I was very nervous, but my first game against Ashley went well,” she said.

“I held my own and I think we were evenly matched. But the second and third game, she slowed everything down and it threw me off completely. But I ran for everything possible and she was great to play.”

Furtado also praised her team-mates for their battling displays on the opening day at the South Sound Squash Club.

“Laura was playing a really tough opponent and she ran for everything and was hitting amazing shots,” she said.

“María [Pinot] was just able to get everything back and place it exactly where she wanted.

Emma’s match was incredible to watch.

“Both players were very good technically and the ball placement was amazing.

It looked like Emma was a little nervous in the first game but really settled in by the third.

She even had an amazing get where she dived for the ball, rolled and managed a great boast that won her the point.”