Grand Central Terminal hosts squash 'Tournament of Champions'

Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Squash players from around the world competed on the first day of the J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions in New York on Thursday.

The annual 8-day tournament kicked off at a 10,000 pound glass squash court inVanderbilt Hall at Manhattan's Grand Central Terminal.

The Tournament of Champions began as the "U.S. Professional" in 1930 and has been played in 17 different cities.

World No.1 Gregory Gaultier of France earned a victory over U.S. No.1 Todd Harrity on the first day of the tournament as he became the first male player in the modern era to reach 700 PSA matches.

World Championship runner-up Marwan ElShorbagy of Egypt, the fifth ranked player in the world, easily defeated Mexican Cesar Salazar.

"Cesar has been playing really well lately, he had some good results at the U.S. Open, so I was trying to contain him as much as I could because I know he's really fast and he's a great player." ElShorbagy said.

German No.1 Simon Rosner snapped an eight-match losing streak against Daryl Selby of England, as he defeated him for the first time.

Fans can spectate the tournament for free or purchase tickets for reserved seats online.