Beachill justified his top billing with a gritty display

England's world number one Lee Beachill defeated Yorkshire clubmate James Willstrop in the second round of the British Open Squash Championships.

Beachill came from behind to win 8-11 11-8 11-9 11-9 in Nottingham.

It was Beachill's fourth verdict over Willstrop this year and the first since he became England's first home-grown world number one in October.

The clash was also Beachill's first serious test since injuring his right leg late last month.

"We seem to bring out the best in each other," Beachill said.

"It's probably one of the most important matches we've played - but it's a pity it had to be in the second round, rather than a semi or final."

Beachill now faces Australia's Joseph Kneipp, the number seven seed who crushed Malaysia's 16th seed Ong Beng Hee 11-3 11-6 11-8 in 35 minutes.

The other men's quarter-final on Thursday will feature France's Gregory Gaultier and Australia's defending champion David Palmer.

Eighth seed Gaultier prevailed in an all-French battle over Renan Lavigne, beating the former Nottingham-based player 11-4 11-6 11-8, while third seed Palmer fought off Finn Olli Tuominen 11-8 11-8 11-6.

In the women's event, there were mixed fortunes for the eight English players through to the last sixteen.

Sixteenth seed Tania Bailey, from Stamford in Lincolnshire, had to forfeit to Malaysia's seventh seed Nicol David after suffering a recurrence of a sinus problem.

David will now meet Australia's defending champion Rachael Grinham, who came back from a game down to beat England's Vicky Botwright 5-9 9-7 9-2 9-3 in 65 minutes.

Yorkshire's 10th seed Jenny Duncalf pulled off a confidence-boosting mini-upset when she beat eighth seed Rebecca Macree 4-9 9-4 9-0 10-9 in 56 minutes.