SIMON Parke's long-awaited return to the world squash stage ended in disappointment as the North Yorkshire-born ace lost in straight sets at the US Open, in Boston.

Former World No3 Parke, who won the tournament back in 1999, has been out of action for seven months following an operation on his ankle and the absence showed as he went out at the opening stage to Scotland's John White.

Parke was always in with a shout though, but he could not close out the sets, losing 15-10, 15-13, 17-15.

Updated: 09:15 Wednesday, January 09, 2002