England’s World No.9 Alison Waters says she can’t wait for the action to get under way at the PSA Dubai World Series Finals, which takes place at Dubai Opera, June 6–10.
Waters originally finished ninth on the PSA Women’s Road to Dubai Standings - outside of the qualification spots - but secured a place at the season-ending tournament after American Amanda Sobhy was forced to withdraw following an achilles injury.
Despite the circumstances the 33-year-old from London is determined to make the best of the situation and is excited for the challenge.
“It’s a strange circumstance because Amanda got injured, so I hope that she is recovering well,” said Waters, who'll be appearing in her first World Series Finals.
“I was ninth on the list so obviously with her injury it moved me up to eighth and it’s slightly strange to be in this situation but I am just going to make the most of it.
"I’m grateful for the chance to be playing in Dubai so I'll try to play my best and enjoy being there.
“It’s my first World Series Finals and I’m really looking forward to it. To play in Dubai will be amazing, so I’m really excited and can’t wait to get started.”
Waters will go up against France’s Camille Serme – who topped the Road To Dubai Standings – and Egyptians Raneem El Welily and Nouran Gohar in Group A.
And with the World Series Finals featuring a round-robin best of three series for a place in the knockout semi-finals and beyond, the Englishwoman insisted that she has nothing to lose.
“I’ve had a good few weeks of training now since the Europeans so I’m just going to go for it – I’ve got nothing to lose, there is no pressure on me," she said.
“Obviously, the best of three format changes things slightly so I’m going to go there and be attacking and positive."
Waters is one of five English players heading to Dubai to battle it out for the lucrative season-ending prize and she is delighted to have her compatriots alongside her.
“It’s great that there are three English girls and two English guys as well, so to have five of us playing in Dubai is really good and great for England Squash.
“I think everyone is looking forward to it, I know I am and I’m looking forward to it getting started and playing some good squash.”
The PSA Dubai World Series Finals takes place from June 6-10, 2017 with all of the action to be shown live on SQUASHTV (rest of world) and Eurosport Player (Europe only)
Group stage matches will take place at 3:00pm, 3:45pm, 16:45pm and 17:30pm (Group A) and 21:30pm, 22:15pm, 23:15pm and 00:00am (Group B) between June 6-8 with the semi-finals due to take place from 22:00pm on June 9. The finals will commence at 22:00pm local time on June 10.
Tickets for the World Series Finals can be purchased at https://dubaiopera.etixdubai.
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