THE seeded players laid down an early marker as the York & District Ladies Open Squash Championship got under way at Dunnington.

Number four seed Andrea Mayne reached the quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory in a tight match with unseeded Sarah Broadhurst.

Mayne took the opening game 10-9 but won the next easily before Broadhurst fought back to make it 2-1.

Mayne then regained the edge to book a last-eight meeting with Clare Pethullis, who beat Susan Harrison in round one.

Holder Natalie Cain overcame Sarah Smelik in round one ahead of a quarter-final clash with Sarah England.

Number two seed Louise Cotter was facing Janet Bradshaw in the last eight, while Traci Moore was facing Jess Hunter.