Derek Ryan recovered from a slow start in his first round match at the Tournament Of Champions in New York City's Grand Central Station on Saturday night to beat Finland's Juha Raumolin and set up a second round meeting with Simon Parke, the English world number nine. Raumolin, who lost to Ryan in the final of the Apawamis Open earlier this month, stormed in to a 13-4 lead in the first set before the Dubliner regained his composure to take the set 17-14. After going two sets down Raumolin fought back to take the third but Ryan clinched the match by taking the fourth 15-9.

Parke, the British champion, had a more difficult first round tie, taking five sets to beat qualifier Lee Beachill, also of England. He plays Ryan tonight on the tournament's all-glass court.