WIN TICKETS AND HOTEL FOR THE FINAL OF THE CANARY WHARF SQUASH CLASSIC

The glass court on location in London's East Wintergarden

News

Tickets sold out months ago for the Canary Wharf Squash Classic, one of the major events on the sport’s UK calendar.

But the Express are giving their readers the chance to be there to soak up the drama on court in this ever-popular PSA World Tour M70 tournament.

Former world champion Nick Matthew is top seed for the event, which runs from March 6-10 at the spectacular East Wintergarden venue and is sponsored by Canary Wharf Group.

With Marwan ElShorbagy seeded No.2, fans could be treated to a thrilling final between England and Egypt, squash’s two powerhouse nations.

World No.4 Matthew, still playing top-class squash at the ripe old age of 36, is looking forward to bidding for a sixth title at Canary Wharf after missing last year’s event.

He said: “I was trying to manage my schedule because of an ankle injury and decided to miss Canary Wharf to concentrate on qualifying for the World Series Finals in Dubai.

“But I didn’t realise how much I missed it after not playing. I was injured anyway, with ankle issues and rehab, and would not have been able to compete. But I just missed so many things that make the tournament so special.

“It’s a brilliant venue and it’s packed out every day with full-house crowds. My family always comes down from Sheffield and we all love the crowd there. They always get behind the home players, they appreciate their squash and create such a special atmosphere.”

For the fifth year running, the tournament was sold out in November within a fortnight of tickets going on sale.

However, Express Sport has a pair of tickets for the final on Friday March 10 to give away to one lucky reader, including a luxury overnight stay for two at the DoubleTree by Hilton, London Docklands Riverside, the official tournament hotel.

They also have three runners-up prizes of a pair of tickets to see Matthew and a host of international stars in first round action on Monday March 6 as the tournament kicks off in dramatic style.

Matthew, renowned throughout his career for his phenomenal fitness, meets Australian world No.15 Ryan Cuskelly.

Also in action during the evening will be New Zealand ace Paul Coll, who is renowned for training even harder than Matthew and has been rewarded with a massive rise up the rankings into the world top 20.

Kiwi Coll, who won the Channel VASChampionship in Weybridge in December, wowed Canary Wharf fans last year when he dived across court three times to win one sensational rally against England’s James Willstrop.

This time he will be looking to take down No.4 seed Simon Rosner, from Germany, who was runner-up to Matthew in 2015.

Also in action on day one are No.5 seed Fares Dessouky and England’s No.7 seed Daryl Selby. Both face winners from the qualifying competition at Wimbledon Racquets Club.

In the bottom half of the draw, which kicks off on Tuesday March 7, the match of the night features a battle between two of the hardest hitters in the game, Egypt’s No.3 seed Omar Mosaad and Australia’s Cameron Pilley.

Mosaad is known as the Hammer of Thor, but it’s Pilley who holds the world record of 178mph for the fastest strike of a squash ball.

Reigning champion Mathieu Castagnet, who beat Mosaad in last year’s final, faces London-based wild card Lyell Fuller.

Second seed Elshorbagy and Spain’s volatile No.8 seed Borja Golan both meet qualifiers.

To enter the competition, please answer the following question:

How many Canary Wharf squash titles has Nick Matthew won?

Please email your answers, with a daytime telephone number, to alan@squashmad.com

Entries close at 12 noon (GMT) on Wednesday March 1st. Winners will be notified by telephone.

Note: Prizes are not transferable. No travel expenses will be paid. Express Newspapers Terms and Conditions apply.

SHOCKING!! Rösner Routs Ramy To Book Windy City Last 8 Berth

An inspired Simon Rösner put together one of the best performances of his career to date to secure a huge win over World No.5 Ramy Ashour and move into the last eight of the 2017 Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners and Equitrust Life Insurance Company.


Despite trailing 0-6 in their head-to-head coming into today's encounter Rösner was unfazed by the maverick three-time World Champion and came out with all cylinders firing as he attacked with abandon from the off.


The 29-year-old German hit winner after winner as he took the opening game and could do no wrong as he stormed into a 9-0 lead in the second. Ashour, in his typically flamboyant style, roared back into contention and, after narrowly losing the second 11-8, took the third to give himself hope. But it was Rösner, who's forehand drop in particular proved to be a valuable weapon, who kept calm to claim the fourth and set up a quarter-final encounter with Ali Farag.


"That's one of, if not the, biggest wins of my career," said Rösner.


"You never know what to expect from Ramy - he's such a unique player. I think he played well today but I managed to keep him away from the centre of the court and it was one of those days where you step on court and have a good feeling.


"My front corner game was working very well and everything was clicking. I knew I had to be aggressive and go for it and I think every aspect of my game together today - and that's what you need to do to beat a player like him.


"I'm very happy with the match and I think that's one of the best performances of my season. I'm very proud to be back in the quarter-finals here."


The winner of Rösner's encounter with Farag will face one of the ElShorbagy brothers in the last four after World No.1 Mohamed gained revenge on Cesar Salazar - after losing out to the Mexican in the first round of last month's Motor City Open - winning 3-0 with World No.6 Marwan caming through a bruising five-game encounter with South African Stephen Coppinger.


After taking the first Marwan found himself embroiled in a battle of attrition with Coppinger and had to save three game balls in the third to regain the upper hand, before gritting his teeth to squeeze through in five.


"To be honest I don't know how I won that one today," said Marwan, who is yet to beat elder brother Mohamed on the PSA World Tour in seven attempts.


"In the third game he was 10-7 up and I just started to go for it. I think he started slowly in the first game but in the second he was controlling the pace.


"I was just digging in there. It was very tough. I'm just very happy to have won and got through and to have a day off to recover."


In the Women's draw in-form Camille Serme also scraped through her second round match against Tesni Evans, winning 3-1 to keep up her unbeaten start to 2017.


Serme won both January's Tournament of Champions and the recent Cleveland Classic and recorded an 11th straight victory when she came from behind to defeat World No.21 Evans, after the Welshwoman had put together one of the most impressive performances of her season so far.


Evans looked like a top five contender as she took the match to Serme from the off, at times exposing Serme's traditionally strong backhand, but the 27-year-old showed the qualities of a champion as she fought back to save two game balls in the fourth and prevail 8-11, 11-8, 11-6, 13-11.


"It's a big relief to get that win," said Serme.


"She had a big win in the first round against Nour El Tayeb and we always have big battles on court. I'm just really happy to get through it in four.


"I felt like I would have been the fresher of us if it went to five but I knew I had to try and not give her anything at 8-10 in the fourth. Anything can happen in the fifth game so I tried to make her earn it.


"I'm happy with how I stuck at it and came back and I'm excited to be in the quarters now."


Serme will face England's Alison Waters for a place in the semi-finals while former World No.1 Nicol David and current No.1 Nour El Sherbini are set to lock horns in a repeat of last year's quarter-final - when it was El Sherbini who triumphed in one of six consecutive victories over David stretching back to 2015.


Results (Top Half) - Men's Second Round: 2017 Windy City Open

[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) bt Cesar Salazar (MEX) 3-0: 11-9, 11-6, 11-8 (42m)

[5] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) bt Stephen Coppinger (RSA) 3-2: 11-4, 9-11, 12-10, 4-11, 11-6 (63m)

[6] Ali Farag (EGY) bt Diego Elias (PER) 3-2: 6-11, 11-9, 5-11, 11-6, 11-6 (69m)

Simon Rösner (GER) bt [4] Ramy Ashour (EGY) 3-1: 11-6, 11-8, 6-11, 11-3 (47m)


Draw (Bottom Half) - To Be Played Feb 26

[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v Daryl Selby (ENG)

Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) v James Willstrop (ENG)

[Q] Leo Au (HKG) v Borja Golan (ESP)

Fares Dessouky (EGY) v [2] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)


Results (Top Half) - Women's Second Round: 2017 Windy City Open

[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [15] Victoria Lust (ENG) 3-0: 11-2, 11-7, 11-8 (25m)

[7] Nicol David (MAS) bt [13] Emily Whitlock (ENG) 3-0: 11-7, 11-6, 11-7 (34m)

[8] Alison Waters (ENG) bt [16] Joey Chan (HKG) 3-1: 11-9, 11-7, 11-13, 11-6 (46m)

[4] Camille Serme (FRA) bt Tesni Evans (WAL) 3-1: 8-11, 11-8, 11-6, 13-11 (56m)


Draw (Bottom Half) - To Be Played Feb 26

[3] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v [11] Annie Au (HKG)

[WC] Olivia Blatchford (USA) v [6] Amanda Sobhy (USA)

[5] Laura Massaro (ENG) v [Q] Samantha Cornett (CAN)

[10] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) v [2] Nouran Gohar (EGY)

World No.1 ElShorbagy Wins 94-Minute Windy City Open Thriller

Defending champion Mohamed ElShorbagy began his 2017 Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners and EquiTrust Life Insurance Company campaign with a winning start, coming through an epic 94 minute battle with New Zealand's Paul Coll in one of the best matches ever seen inside the University Club of Chicago today (Feb 23). 

The duo engaged in rally after rally of attritional, high quality squash from the off but it was the World No.1, after saving two game balls in the opener, who looked to be on his way to a routine straight games win after going 2-0 up.

Coll though showed the skills, determination and physical strength that has catapulted him into the Top Twenty as he fought back in style, taking the third and fourth games to force a decider. Coll then raced into a 3-0 lead in the fifth but ElShorbagy mounted one more charge, managing to squeeze the decider 11-7 to set up a second round encounter with Mexican Cesar Salazar - the man who knocked him out of last month's Motor City Open in a shock first round defeat.

"It was a very tough match today - Paul is a great player," said ElShorbagy. 

"I thought it was a very fair but very hard match. I think we both played it in the right spirit and maybe it was a bit of experience that got me through in the end.

"It was very tough mentally today. My season has been very up and down and it's been hard to understand what exactly is going on. I was fighting myself today as well as him. 

"I lost in the first round of my last tournament and today, having been 2-0 up and then going 2-2 and 0-3 down in the fifth, I was thinking it's time to go home. But I told myself to push so to win that fifth game is something I'm very proud of."

ElShorbagy was joined in the second round by domestic rival Ramy Ashour, the mercurial three-time World Champion making his first competitive appearance since injury saw him limp off court during the 2016 World Championship final.

Ashour failed to take to court in December 2016 or January 2017 but played with free flowing abandon as he hit audacious winners for fun, dominating 37-year-old Olli Tuominen to complete an emphatic 3-0 win in just 23 minutes.

"It's good to be back - it's not easy, there have been a lot of ups and downs," said Ashour.

"It's hard to find the words to describe what I've been trough. Last night I didn't think I would get up and get on court today to play - the more you get injured, the more mental scars you get.

"Sometimes its not about winning - now for me it's just about not quitting. I just keep on trying."

Ashour will face German Simon Rösner in the second round after he stopped Wildcard Chris Hanson while Stephen Coppinger, Marwan ElShorbagy, Diego Elias and Ali Farag also won their opening encounters.

In the Women's draw eight-time World Champion Nicol David, who has won almost every title going bar the Windy City Open, booked her place in the second round after successfully negotiating a potentially tricky encounter with rising Egyptian star Hania El Hammamy.

16-year-old El Hammamy came through qualification to reach the main draw but David's class and ability to withstand repeated attacks were too good and she came through in just under 40 minutes.

"I really enjoyed the match," said David - who will now face England's Emily Whitlock for a place in the quarter-finals. 

"She kept coming back and I just had to keep putting the pressure on her. It was very close so I am pleased to come through 3-0.

"When I was leading she relaxed and she hit some great winners and I maybe eased off a little as well. I had to step forward again so I'm pleased to be through and into the next round."

David was joined by World No.1 Nour El Sherbini, who easily dispatched Nadine Shahin, and the in-form Camille Serme who extended her unbeaten streak to 10 matches in 2017 with a straight forward 3-1 defeat of Heba El Torky.

Serme, winner of the Tournament of Champions and Cleveland Classic so far in 2017, will face Tesni Evans in a compelling second round match while Victoria Lust, Alison Waters and Joey Chan completed the winners on day one.

Results - Men's First Round Draw: 2017 Windy City Open

[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) bt Paul Coll (NZL) 3-2: 14-12, 11-6, 8-11, 9-11, 11-7 (94m)

Cesar Salazar (MEX) bt [Q] Campbell Grayson (NZL) 3-1: 11-4, 7-11, 11-8, 11-4 (57m)

Stephen Coppinger (RSA) bt Cameron Pilley (AUS) 3-2: 9-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-7 (119m)

[5] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) bt [Q] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) 3-0: 11-9, 13-11, 11-9 (41m)

[6] Ali Farag (EGY) bt Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) 3-2: 6-11, 11-4, 11-7, 4-11, 11-7 (65m)

Diego Elias (PER) bt Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) 3-0: 11-8, 11-6, 11-6 (66m)

Simon Rösner (GER) bt [WC] Chris Hanson (USA) 3-1: 11-13, 11-4, 11-4, 11-8 (54m)

[4] Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt [Q] Olli Tuominen (FIN) 3-0: 11-2, 11-8, 11-3 (23m)

Draw - Men's First Round (Bottom Half): Played Feb 24

[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v [Q] Joe Lee (ENG)

Daryl Selby (ENG) v [Q] Lucas Serme (FRA)

Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) v Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)

James Willstrop (ENG) v [8] Omar Mosaad (EGY)

[7] Tarek Momen (EGY) v [Q] Leo Au (HKG)

Borja Golan (ESP) v Max Lee (HKG)

Fares Dessouky (EGY) v [Q] Nicolas Mueller (SUI)

[Q] Alan Clyne (SCO) v [2] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)

Results - Women's First Round Draw: 2017 Windy City Open

[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt [Q] Nadine Shahin (EGY) 3-0: 11-7, 11-8, 11-4 (23m)

[15] Victoria Lust (ENG) bt [Q] Samantha Teran (MEX) 3-1: 12-10, 13-15, 11-7, 11-8 (46m)

[13] Emily Whitlock (ENG) bt Line Hansen (DEN) 3-0: 11-3, 11-6, 11-8 (27m)

[7] Nicol David (MAS) bt [Q] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) 3-0: 11-8, 11-6, 11-9 (38m)

[8] Alison Waters (ENG) bt Liu Tsz-Ling (HKG) 3-0: 11-7, 11-7, 11-3 (25m)

[16] Joey Chan (HKG) bt [Q] Salma Hany Ibrahim (EGY) 3-1: 11-9, 4-11, 11-3, 11-8 (38m)

Tesni Evans (WAL) bt [14] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) 3-2: 6-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-6, 11-9 (66m)

[4] Camille Serme (FRA) bt Heba El Torky (EGY) 3-1: 11-7, 11-6, 7-11, 11-4 (45m)

Draw - Women's First Round (Bottom Half): Played Feb 24

[3] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v Jenny Duncalf (ENG)

[Q] Mayar Hany (EGY) v [11] Annie Au (HKG)

[12] Joshna Chinappa (IND) v [WC] Olivia Blatchford (USA)

[Q] Nele Gillis (BEL) v [6] Amanda Sobhy (USA)

[5] Laura Massaro (ENG) v Mariam Metwally (EGY)

[Q] Samantha Cornett (CAN) v [9] Joelle King (NZL)

[10] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) v Donna Urquhart (AUS)

[Q] Fiona Moverley (ENG) v [2] Nouran Gohar (EGY)

Serme Sees Off Waters in Five to Clinch Cleveland Classic Title

French World No.2 Camille Serme continued her unbeaten start to 2017 after she mounted a superb comeback from two games down to retain her Cleveland Classic title at the expense of England’s former World No.3 Alison Waters in Pepper Pike.

Serme, the 27-year-old from Créteil, has been in scintillating form over the past few months, with victories at the Delaware Investments U.S. Open and J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions cementing her status as the form player on the Women’s Tour.

Serme surged through to the final without dropping a solitary game, with Egyptian qualifier Nadine Shahin, number eight seed Tesni Evans and World No.8 Sarah-Jane Perry all falling by the wayside as the rampant Frenchwoman went on to set up a repeat of the 2016 final with Waters, who was the only player to have beaten Serme in the latter’s 16 previous matches coming into the final.

Waters looked to be set to get the better of her opponent once more after going two games ahead courtesy of some disciplined length hitting, putting the current World No.10 on the cusp of a first PSA World Tour title since the 2014 Carol Weymuller Open.

But Serme responded in the third by attacking at the front of the court on the backhand side and, after winning it by an 11-7 margin, she ground out a victory in the fourth to level the scores and set up a dramatic fifth-game showdown.

With the match edging towards its conclusion, both players played an attritional brand of squash with neither competitor giving many loose shots away as they sought to gain the upper hand. But it was Serme who changed up her game intelligently, incorporating the lob to great effect as she closed out a 10-12, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 victory to lift her third PSA World Tour title in her last four tournaments.

Serme and Waters will be in action at the upcoming Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners and EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, which will be shown live on SQUASHTV and Eurosport Player between February 23 - March 1.

Result - Final: 2017 Cleveland Classic
[1] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [2] Alison Waters (ENG) 3-2: 10-12, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7

Matthew Makes It A Record 10th Nationals Final

Yorkshireman Nick Matthew became the first player in the event's 43-year history to reach a 10th final when he defeated England Squash Academy opponent Declan James in straight games in the semi-finals of the Blowers Jewellers British National Championships in Manchester .
The 36-year-old from Sheffield proved too much for 23-year-old James, taking the match 11-6, 11-3, 11-5 in 44 minutes - and is now one win away from a record ninth title.
Matthew had special praise for his opponent. "I've seen the work Declan is putting in here with the England Squash Academy - day-in, day-out - and he has a big future; I just wanted to make sure it doesn't start tomorrow!"
Matthew will face surprise opponent Joe Lee, a 5/8 seed from Surrey. The 27-year-old from Weybridge overcame former junior rival and long-time friend Adrian Waller - also a 5/8 seed and aged 27 - 6-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-9 in 68 minutes in the other semi to reach his maiden Nationals final.
"Everyone had been expecting another match between me and James [Willstrop]," added Matthew. "In some ways, this puts more pressure on me as I'm expected to win. Both Joe and Adrian had a huge opportunity today and it's going to be the match of Joe's life tomorrow."
Reigning champion Laura Massaro will face the in-form Sarah-Jane Perry to decide who takes home the women's trophy
Massaro, the world No.5 from Preston, fought back from a game down against first-time semi-finalist Emily Whitlock to win 7-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-4 in 44 minutes
Perry overcame a stern test from four-time champion Alison Waters , opening up a two-game lead before second seed Waters dragged herself back into the game. But Perry ultimately had too much for her England teammate, finishing the match 11-6, 11-8, 9-11, 11-7.
The men's Over-45 masters draw served up a treat with seven-time champion Nick Taylor facing former world No.2 Peter Marshall to complete Sunday's line-up on the all-glass show court at the National Squash Centre.
Second seed Marshall, from Nottinghamshire, brought an end to England Squash's Senior National Coach David Campion 's run - taking half an hour to win 13-11, 11-4, 11-2.
He will now face Taylor, who has four over-35 and three over-40 titles to his name, after the Jersey-based 45-year-old beat Jamie Goodrich 11-0, 11-7, 11-5 in 20 minutes.
Second seed Ben Ford was eliminated in the semi-finals of the Over-35 championship - beaten 12-10, 11-6, 7-11, 11-4 in 53 minutes by last year's runner-up Darren Lewis . The 37-year-old from Leicester will face top seed Andy Whipp for the title.
Both the O40 & O50 events have gone according to seeding, with Peter O'Hara and Daniel Massaro to contest the final of the over-40s, and Yawar Abbas and Stephen McLoughlin advancing to the other final.
Top seed Mark Woodliffe progressed to the final of the O55 with ease, with an 11-2, 11-5, 11-9 victory over Alan Thomson - and now faces second seed John Parkes in the final.
Neither of the top two seeds will play any part in the final of the O60 event after both were beaten in the semi-finals. Top seed Rustom Bativala lost to Simon Evenden 15-10, 15-11, 15-5, while
Stuart Hardy was beaten 15-8, 15-9, 15-8 by 3/4 seed Stephen Johnson.
O65 favourite John Rae was also knocked out in the last four in a match that went down to the wire. 3/4 seed Terry Belshaw won 12-15, 15-9, 15-5, 13-15, 15-7 in 38 minutes and now faces second seed Ian Graham in the final.
Top seeds Philip Ayton and Rodney Boswell will contest the O70 final, with Adrian Wright and
Geoff Coe in the final of the O75.
Patrick Kirton must beat Lance Kinder to win the inaugural O80 event, after Malcolm Gilham withdrew from the 4-man round robin draw.
Lauren Briggs [1] and Natalie Lawrence [2] will contest the women's over-35 final.
Rachel Calver, second seed in the O40 event, was defeated 8-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-6, 11-6 by Keeley Johnson - who goes on to face top seed Shayne Baillie for the title.
Andrea Santamaria [1] will play Sam Mueller [2] in the final of the over-45s while Rose Bamber [1] and Fiona McLean [3/4] will contest the final of the over-50s.
Lesley Sturgess [3/4] will play Jill Campion [2] in the final of the over-55s, while the over-60s will be settled by the results of a round robin.
Matthew Makes It A Record 10th Nationals Final

India to host 2018 World Junior Championships

For the third time since 2002, India will host the WSF World Junior Squash Championships after winning the rights from the World Squash Federation to stage the 2018 event inChennai.

The Men’s & Women’s World Junior Individual Championships will take place at the Indian Squash Academy from 18-23 July, followed by the biennial Men’s World Junior Team Championship from 24- 29 July.

“Indian squash has had a history of conducting Mega squash events,” said Debendranath Sarangi, President of the Squash Rackets Federation of India . “I am delighted that we have won the bid to host the WSF World Junior Championships 2018. The Indian Squash Academy in Chennai is a fantastic venue and we look forward to welcoming global players to our Championships.”

India first staged the men’s individual and team events in 2002, then both individual events together with the women’s team championship in 2009 – in both years also in Chennai.

WSF President Jacques Fontaine added:“There have been World & Asian Championships regularly staged in Chennai – the Indian Federation provide excellent facilities as well as being great hosts. Taking this important WSF Championship to India will open another chapter that we look forward to.”

Pakistan will look to defend the title they won for the fifth time in the 2016 men’s team championship in Poland – where India finished in sixth place.

Top Seeds Crash Out As Windy City Open Qualification Closes

Number one and two seeds Gregoire Marche and Nafiizwan Adnan, along with number two seeded woman's qualifier Coline Aumard, crashed out of the 2017 Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners & EquiTrust Life Insurance Company as qualification at the PSA World Series tournament reached a conclusion today (Feb 22).


Top seeded Frenchman Marche was in total control as he moved into a seemingly unassailable 2-0 / 5-2 lead over Egyptian Karim Ali Fathi. But the World No.26 lost his focus, allowing Fathi to steal a game, and subsequently the match. Fathi, World No.41, will now face Marwan ElShorbagy in the first round.


Adnan meanwhile fell 3-2 as Finland's Olli Tuominen rolled back the years, with the 37-year-old twice going ahead before keeping his nerve to seal the decider and set up a first round encounter with Ramy Ashour - the maverick Egyptian who returns to action for the first time in 2017.


Leo Au, Lucas Serme, Campbell Grayson, Joe Lee, Alan Clyne and Nicolas Mueller also secured their places in the main draw while in the Women's event, unseeded Canadian Samantha Cornett claimed the headlines with an impressive 3-1 win over Aumard - the Frenchwoman who sits almost 20 places above her on the World Rankings.


Cornett will now face World No.11 Joelle King in a compelling first round encounter while there were hard fought five game victories for Mayar Hany, Samantha Teran, Fiona Moverley and Nele Gillis.


Egyptian trio Hania El Hammamy, Nadine Shahin and Salma Hany Ibrahim completed the list of winners as qualification ended ahead of the main draw which starts tomorrow (Feb 23) at the University Club of Chicago.


Results: Men's Qualification Finals - 2017 Windy City Open

[7] Lucas Serme (FRA) bt [12] Farhan Zaman (PAK) 3-0: 11-8, 11-2, 11-9 (33m)

[3] Leo Au (HKG) bt [10] Raphael Kandra (GER) 11-3 retired

[8] Campbell Grayson (NZL) bt [16] Todd Harrity (USA) 3-1: 11-9, 10-12, 11-5, 11-5 (56m)

[13] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt [2] Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) 3-2: 11-3, 12-14, 11-6, 7-11, 11-8 (71m)

[4] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) bt Arturo Salazar (MEX) 3-1: 8-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-7 (52m)

[11] Joe Lee (ENG) bt Alister Walker (BOT) 3-0: 12-10, 11-3, 11-8 (43m)

[9] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) bt [1] Gregoire Marche (FRA) 3-2: 9-11, 5-11, 11-6, 11-2, 11-3 (61m)

[5] Alan Clyne (SCO) bt [14] Ben Coleman (ENG) 3-0: 11-2, 11-2, 11-4 (33m)


Men's First Round Draw:

[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) v Paul Coll (NZL)

Cesar Salazar (MEX) v [Q] Campbell Grayson (NZL)

Cameron Pilley (AUS) v Stephen Coppinger (RSA)

[Q] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) v [5] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY)

[6] Ali Farag (EGY) v Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)

Diego Elias (PER) v Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)

Simon Rösner (GER) v [WC] Chris Hanson (USA)

[Q] Olli Tuominen (FIN) v [4] Ramy Ashour (EGY)

[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v [Q] Joe Lee (ENG)

Daryl Selby (ENG) v [Q] Lucas Serme (FRA)

Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) v Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)

James Willstrop (ENG) v [8] Omar Mosaad (EGY)

[7] Tarek Momen (EGY) v [Q] Leo Au (HKG)

Borja Golan (ESP) v Max Lee (HKG)

Fares Dessouky (EGY) v [Q] Nicolas Mueller (SUI)

[Q] Alan Clyne (SCO) v [2] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)


Results: Women's Qualification Finals - 2017 Windy City Open

[8] Mayar Hany (EGY) bt [10] Kanzy Emad El Defrawy (EGY) 3-2: 6-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-5, 11-3 (49m)

[7] Samantha Teran (MEX) bt [12] Milou van der Heijden (NED) 3-2: 11-7, 8-11, 11-13, 11-8, 11-7 (61m)

[14] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [6] Millie Tomlinson (ENG) 3-0: 11-7, 11-7, 11-7 (34m)

Samantha Cornett (CAN) bt [2] Coline Aumard (FRA) 3-1: 4-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-6 (48m)

[5] Fiona Moverley (ENG) bt [13] Hollie Naughton (CAN) 3-2: 11-3, 11-7, 7-11, 12-14, 11-7 (49m)

[9] Nele Gilis (BEL) bt [4] Rachael Grinham (AUS) 3-2: 7-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-5 (71m)

[3] Nadine Shahin (EGY) bt [15] Tong Tsz-Wing (HKG) 3-0: 11-6, 11-8, 12-10 (34m)

[1] Salma Hany Ibrahim (EGY) bt [11] Misaki Kobayashi (JPN) 3-0: 11-9, 11-7, 11-2 (24m)


Women's First Round Draw:

[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v [Q] Nadine Shahin (EGY)

[Q] Samantha Terna (MEX) v [15] Victoria Lust (ENG)

[13] Emily Whitlock (ENG) v Line Hansen (DEN)

[Q] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) v [7] Nicol David (MAS)

[8] Alison Waters (ENG) v Liu Tsz-Ling (HKG)

[Q] Salma Hany Ibrahim (EGY) v [16] Joey Chan (HKG)

[14] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) v Tesni Evans (WAL)

Heba El Torky (EGY) v [4] Camille Serme (FRA)

[3] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v Jenny Duncalf (ENG)

[Q] Mayar Hany (EGY) v [11] Annie Au (HKG)

[12] Joshna Chinappa (IND) v [WC] Olivia Blatchford (USA)

[Q] Nele Gillis (BEL) v [6] Amanda Sobhy (USA)

[5] Laura Massaro (ENG) v Mariam Metwally (EGY)

[Q] Samantha Cornett (CAN) v [9] Joelle King (NZL)

[10] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) v Donna Urquhart (AUS)

[Q] Fiona Moverley (ENG) v [2] Nouran Gohar (EGY)

Not just football bet,we now have "Squash Bet" Canary Wharf Classic Fans Set To Win With Bookee thi

Lol.... Not just football bet, we also have squash bet "yipee"
Squash fans attending this year's 2017 Canary Wharf Classic will be able to enjoy the action in a completely new way after Bookee were today announced as the 'Official Betting Partner' of the PSA M70 tournament that takes place at London's East Wintergarden from March 6-10.

The mobile sports betting app, whose agreement was brokered by the PSA’s exclusive UK commercial agency, CMSeven, adopts a 'Tinder' style approach to betting by curating individual personalised sports bets for the recreational gambler and providing them a single instinctive binary action for each bet - swipe right to approve or left to reject.

The app is also set to introduce a ‘Splitbet’ feature, allowing players to split the stake with a friend, and will run a series of unique and exclusive markets for squash fans during the 2017 Canary Wharf Classic - which will feature the likes of three-time World Champion Nick Matthew who, aged 36, will be hoping to bank his sixth Canary Wharf crown.

"We are pleased to welcome Bookee on board as our latest commercial partner and are excited to work with the team to offer a completely new experience for fans attending this year's Canary Wharf Classic," said Tournament Director Tim Garner, of Eventis.

"The addition of in-play betting and unique markets, alongside Bookee's unique approach to sports betting, will allow fans to experience the action on two distinct levels and I'm certain the service will prove to be a big hit when the action gets underway."

Bookee Co-Founder Adam Kalmanson said: "We are super excited to be sponsoring the event and offering our unique betting twist to this exclusive tournament. A great setting and fantastic line-up of players; together with Bookee, this is a win/win tournament."

PSA Chief Commercial Officer Tommy Berden said: “The Canary Wharf Classic is one of the biggest squash tournaments to take place within England and to expand the event's sponsorship portfolio with the addition of Bookee is a great move for all parties involved."

Bookee is a free to download app for iOS devices and will be offering new customers a risk-free £5 bet if they use the promo code: SQUASH during the tournament.

Any new customer that uses this promo code and loses their first £5 bet will be credited with a free £5 bet token.

The 2017 Canary Wharf Classic takes place from March 6-10 at London’s East Wintergarden. For more details visit: http://www.cwsquash.com/

Definition of Squash

Squash is when your club becomes your family, the ball becomes your friend, the court becomes your home, the racket becomes your companion;  the game becomes your life. 

Am so passionate about this SPORT called "SQUASH"

iPro Sport Named 'Preferred Hydration Partner’ For 2017 Canary Squash Wharf Classic

Players competing at the 2017 Canary Wharf Squash Classic will be better prepared than ever before after iPro Sport were today named as the 'Preferred Hydration Partner' for the PSA M70 tournament which will bring some of the world's best squash players to London's East Wintergarden from March 6-10.



The partnership, reached in conjunction with the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and brokered by the PSA’s exclusive UK commercial agency, CMSeven, will see iPro Sport providing hydration solutions to all participating players across the tournament week with its range of sports drinks and waters - to ensure they remain hydrated before, during and after matches.



iPro Sport drinks, which contain natural ingredients with added vitamins such as B6, B12 and C, are proven to replenish the body with minerals which are lost through sweat and undertaking rigorous exercise - a vital tool in the repertoire of squash players who regularly burn over 1500 calories per hour.



"We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with iPro Sport and look forward to working closely with the team ahead of this year's tournament," said Tournament Director Tim Garner, of Eventis.



"As a former professional player I know how demanding squash can be and the key function hydration plays in recovery during and after matches. I’m excited to work with iPro Sport to offer the players a comprehensive solution that will help enable them to perform to their best throughout the event."



Commenting on the fast growing success of iPro Sport in all sporting arena’s and the role the product plays in helping athletes maintain optimum levels of hydration to aid peak performance, Sophie Christy, Commercial Director of iPro Sport said;



“Hydration underpins everything we do and to partner with the very best in Professional Squash further cements our long-term commitment to support athletes worldwide with a ready to drink isotonic product which provides instant hydration.



"We are extremely proud of the partnership with the PSA M70 Tournament; The Canary Wharf Squash Classic which is a strong fit for us and we look forward to further developing the global opportunities which this partnership will offer all parties in the future.”



PSA Chief Commercial Officer Tommy Berden said: “Having iPro Sport join the existing portfolio of partners at the 2017 Canary Wharf Squash Classic is a great boost for the event and we look forward to working with all parties during next month's event, and have every confidence this will lead to further opportunities with the PSA across our respective Tours."

 

iPro Sport is an Isotonic Sports Drink that contains NO artificial flavours, colours and is sweetened with all natural Stevia. For more information on the hydration benefits of iPro Sport, visit: www.iProSport.com



The 2017 Canary Wharf Classic takes place from March 6-10 at London’s East Wintergarden. For more details visit: http://www.cwsquash.com/

one of Nigeria's best squash player "Gbenga Adeyi" welcomes a pretty bouncing baby girl last saturday

By last ranking of Squash players in Nigeria, Gbenga Adeyi Nigeria's number 8.
Congrats Gbenga on the new born bouncing baby girl.

one of Nigeria's best squash player "Gbenga Adeyi" welcomes a pretty bouncing baby girl 2 days ago.

Senior Coach, Headwaters squash academy; Seun Peters welcomes a new bundle of joy

Congratulations mr Seun on the arrival on your new bundle of joy.
Seun Peters is presently the acting pro of PSPAN professional Squash Association of Nigeria ,also coach of the prestigious Headwaters squash academy.

lol! There are two types of sport in the world; " squash &....."

Lol..... 😂

APPLY Now! Job Offer, USA (New York): Squash Coach/Attendant

Athletics and Fitness Center has part time shifts available during the week and weekend. Please send your availability, resume and cover letter for consideration. You must have a genuine interest and......
Click on link:
http://yellowdotpages.tumblr.com/post/157326785932/to-apply-submit-your-resume-and-a-letter

newyork.craigslist.org

ussquash.com
Job Offer, USA: Hisham Ashour Squash Academy Seeks Squash Coaches 

read the full job description
#New York #Job Offer
#Squash Receptionist Attendant #USA
newyork.craigslist.org
job Offer, USA (New York): Part Time Squash Attendant 
Athletics and Fitness Center has part time shifts available during the week and weekend. Please send your availability, resume and cover letter for consideration. You must have a genuine interest....check links below for further details:newyork.craigslist.org
yellowdotpages.tumblr.com/post/157326785932/to-apply-submit-your-resume-and-a-letter

Sobhy and David Star Attractions in Ciudad de Floridablanca Draw

United States No.1 Amanda Sobhy and Malaysia’s eight-time World Champion Nicol David are seeded to meet in a mouthwatering final encounter after the draw for the inaugural Ciudad de Floridablanca was released today (February 8).

Staged on a specially constructed glass court on the picturesque Parque el Santisimo, the Ciudad de Floridablanca - which takes place between March 8-11 - is the most lucrative Women’s South American squash tournament of all time, with Sobhy and David the favourites to take a share of the $70,000 prize fund.

Harvard-graduate Sobhy currently sits at a career-high World No.6 ranking after impressing in a season which has seen her claim runner-up finishes at both the Hong Kong Open and NetSuite Open.

The charismatic 23-year-old will face a qualifier in round one - which coincides with International Women's Day - and is seeded to lock horns with Egypt’s World No.9 Omneya Abdel Kawy in the semi-finals.

World No.7 David, meanwhile, is at her lowest ranking since 2004, and will be targeting a return to form in Colombia. The legendary 33-year-old also takes on a qualifier in the opening round, with former World No.3 Alison Waters seeded to await the Malaysian in the semi-final stage.

Waters will need to negotiate a tough first round clash with Welsh World No.21 Tesni Evans, however, while tournament wildcard Catalina Pelaez has been drawn against England’s World No.15 Emily Whitlock.

The Ciudad de Floridablanca is the first standalone Women’s tournament outside of a World Championship to be broadcast live on SQUASHTV and Eurosport Player and fans can get involved in the conversation by using the official tournament hashtag: #PSAfloridablanca

2017 Ciudad de Floridablanca – First Round Draw:
[1] Amanda Sobhy (USA) v [Qualifier]
Heba El Torky (EGY) v [5] Annie Au (HKG)
[6] Emily Whitlock (ENG) v [WC] Catalina Pelaez (COL)
Olivia Blatchford (USA) v [4] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY)
[3] Alison Waters (ENG) v Tesni Evans (WAL)
[Qualifier] v [7] Victoria Lust (ENG)
[8] Joey Chan (HKG) v [Qualifier]
[Qualifier] v [2] Nicol David (MAS)

Qualification for the 2017 Ciudad de Floridablanca takes place between March 6-7, while the main draw will be played between March 8-11.

Tickets for the tournament can be purchased by contacting tktspsafloridablanca@gmail.com

Ifeanyi Maduka is the new chairman Ikoyi club (squash section)

Congrats to the new chairman of Ikoyi club squash section Mr.  Ifeanyi Maduka

Huge Battles Guaranteed During Blockbuster 2017 British Open

#AllamBritishOpen

Squash fans will be treated to a blockbuster week of action at this year’s 2017 Allam British Open after the draw for the PSA World Series tournament - released today, February 16 - pitted some of the biggest names in the sport against each other in a line-up that could see the World Rankings torn apart from the very first day of action.

Players will descend on Hull’s Airco Arena and University of Hull from March 21-26 as the action gets under way, and with the likes of former World No.1 Gregory Gaultier facing Miguel Angel Rodriguez, World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad facing former World No.3 Omar Mosaad and former Women’s champion Laura Massaro facing the dangerous Dipika Pallikal Karthik in the first round, the action is set to be of the highest intensity from the off.

Defending Men’s champion Mohamed ElShorbagy, the 26-year-old World No.1, will be vying for his third consecutive British Open crown and the chance go joint tenth in the list of all-time winners. ElShorbagy meets talented compatriot Fares Dessouky in a banana skin first round encounter and could have to get past bitter rival Ali Farag - who faces a huge battle with Ryan Cuskelly in the first round - to reach the last four.

Home favourites Nick Matthew - who sits tenth on the all-time winners list with three titles - and former World No.1 James Willstrop will also have their work cut out to mount a title challenge in a high quality Men’s field.

Matthew faces tenacious Spaniard Borja Golan in the first round and could have to get past World No.10 Simon Rösner, the in-form World No.16 Paul Coll and ElShorbagy to reach the final, while Willstrop is seeded to meet World No.6 Marwan ElShorbagy, World No.3 Gaultier and World No.2 Gawad following a tough opener with Mathieu Castagnet.

Egyptian Ramy Ashour is also set to return to action for the first time since losing the 2016 World Championship final and could go up against the man who triumphed that day - Gawad - in the last eight. Gawad has been in the form of his life since the World Championships, winning the Qatar Classic and Tournament of Champions, but with Ashour out to make amends, fireworks are guaranteed.

In the Women’s draw, which features equal prize money for the first time in tournament history, defending champion Nour El Sherbini faces Line Hansen in the first round, with any path to the final likely to see her face Amanda Sobhy and either Massaro or Raneem El Welily - who are seeded to meet in a huge last eight battle - to reach the decider.

Five-time tournament winner Nicol David faces a tough opening encounter with Australian Donna Urquhart, with the winner seeded to meet either Nour El Tayeb or the player of the moment, Camille Serme, in the quarters.

Serme has won the past two World Series titles - the U.S. Open and Tournament of Champions - and will be out to replicate the form that saw her win the British Open crown in 2015, while the in form Sarah-Jane Perry, England’s No.2, will hope to keep up her recent momentum in a potential last eight encounter with 2016 runner-up Nouran Gohar.

The 2017 Allam British Open takes place at the Airco Arena, Hull from March 21-26. Tickets are available to purchase, priced from £7.50, by visiting https://allambritishopensquash2017.com/  

Men's First Round Draw - 2017 Allam British Open:

[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) v Fares Dessouky (EGY)

Daryl Selby (ENG) v [Qualifier]

Stephen Coppinger (RSA) v [Qualifier]

Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) v [7] Ali Farag (EGY)

[8] Tarek Momen (EGY) v [Qualifier]

Paul Coll (NZL) v [WC] Declan James (ENG)

Simon Rösner (GER) v [Qualifier]

Borja Golan (ESP) v [4] Nick Matthew (ENG)

[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)

Cameron Pilley (AUS) v [Qualifier]

Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) v James Willstrop (ENG)

Max Lee (HKG) v [6] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY)

[5] Ramy Ashour (EGY) v [Qualifier]

Diego Elias (PER) v [Qualifier]

Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) v [Qualifier]

Omar Mosaad (EGY) v [2] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)

Women's First Round Draw - 2017 Allam British Open: 

[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v Line Hansen (DEN)

[Qualifier] v [11] Annie Au (HKG)

[14] Emily Whitlock (ENG) v Liu Tsz-Ling (HKG)

Salma Hany Ibrahim (EGY) v [6] Amanda Sobhy (USA)

[5] Laura Massaro (ENG) v Dipika Pallikal Karthik (IND)

[Qualifier] v [10] Joelle King (NZL)

[13] Joshna Chinappa (IND) v [Qualifier]

[WC] Fiona Moverley (ENG) v [3] Raneem El Welily (EGY)

[4] Nouran Gohar (EGY) v [Qualifier]

[Qualifier] v [9] Alison Waters (ENG)

[15] Victoria Lust (ENG) v Tesni Evans (WAL)

[Qualifier] v [8] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)

[7] Nicol David (MAS) v Donna Urquhart (AUS)

Jenny Duncalf (ENG) v [16] Joey Chan (HKG)

[12] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) v [Qualifier]

[Qualifier] v [2] Camille Serme (FRA)

Fans can also watch the British Open in style by purchasing a ‘Super Fan’ ticket for £180, entitling them to; One back-wall ticket for all sessions of the Allam British Open, an official PSA merchandise polo, headband & wristband, a meet and greet session with the stars of the tournament, a signed British Open poster, one month Eurosport Player/SQUASHTV access and a signed player card.

Follow the Allam British Open on Twitter @BritOpenSquash and online at https://allambritishopensquash2017.com/   

Massaro Withdraws From Cleveland Classic

England’s World No.5 Laura Massaro has withdrawn from the 2017 Cleveland Classic due to an elbow injury.


The former World No.1 was seeded to meet World No.2 Camille Serme in the final in what would have been a repeat of last month's J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions title-decider but suffered the injury en route to winning a fourth British National title at the weekend.


Compatriot and World No.10 Alison Waters has moved up to replace Massaro as the No.2 seed for the tournament with Welshwoman Tesni Evans taking the last seeded spot.


American Olivia Blatchford moves into the main draw and the World No.26 will no doubt be looking to take advantage of the home crowd and cause an upset as she takes on Waters.


The revised main draw is as follow is:


First Round Draw - Cleveland Classic 2017

[1] Camille Serme (FRA) v [Qualifier]

[Qualifier] v [8] Tesni Evans (WAL)

[7] Victoria Lust (ENG) v Liu Tsz-Ling (HKG)

Mariam Metwally (EGY) v [3] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)

[4] Joshna Chinappa (IND) v [Qualifier]

Line Hansen (DEN) v [5] Emily Whitlock (ENG)

[6] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) v [Qualifier]

Olivia Blatchford (USA) v [2] Alison Waters (ENG)

Happy Birthday to Nigeria's Squash queen Yemisi Olatunji

Happy Birthday  to the squash queen Yemisi Olatunji. Yemisi Olatunji is the number1 female squash player in Nigeria,unbeaten back to back for the past 3 years

  Internationaly recognise under the professional Squash athletes umbrella PSA.
Today is her birthday, let's celebrate with her
Happy Birthday once again NAIJA squash 👑 queen