El Gouna International Squash Open seventh
edition top-class draw is released for the PSA World Series tournament
and it is expecting heated matches from 20 April to 27 April in Egypt’s
Red Sea resort, El Gouna.
Under the auspices of Egypt’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Egyptian Tourism Authority, the world’s best squash players will assemble in Egypt for Gouna International Squash Open.
“This year’s tournament features a women’s
World Series tournament alongside the men’s event for the first time in
history, with a total prize fund of $US 330,000 split equally between
both draws. The qualifying rounds take place between April 18-19 at the El Gouna Squash Complex, while the main draw will be staged between April 20-27,
with matches split between the glass court situated at El Gouna Marina
and the qualification venue,” according to the press release of el-Gouna
International Squash Open.
Chairman of Orascom Development Egypt
Holding Samih Sawiris said “what a joy to be hosting one of the leading
tournaments of the Squash world. The growth of our small competition to a
world event proves that solid long-term commitment pays. Hopefully, our
champions will seal this with winning.”
“For the men’s draw, world number one
Mohamed el-Shorbagy heads up the men’s draw opposite number two seed and
defending champion Gregory Gaultier, who faces Egyptian maverick Mazen
Hesham in the opening round, while el-Shorbagy will line up against a
qualifier and wildcard Moustafa Assal is set to meet Tarek Momen in the
first rounds.
As for the women’s draw, world number one
Nour El Sherbini gets her tournament underway against England’s Emily
Whitlock in round one, while World Champion Raneem El Welily, El Tayeb,
King, Massaro and David all face qualifiers and wildcard Rowan El Araby
to meet India’s Joshana Chinappa in round one,” the press release
further added.
Hassan Abdalla, CEO of Arab African
International Bank said: “Over the course of seven successive rounds of
El Gouna International Squash Open, we have joined forces with all the
concerned stakeholders to become among the top seven tournaments
worldwide. Today we witness seven Egyptian champions among the top ten
internationally ranked contestants holding the Egyptian flag and
dominating the game. Despite all the unmatched success, we still aspire
to achieve more by further spreading squash among Egyptians and enabling
our champions to maintain Egypt’s lead on an international level.”
The men’s seeding quarterfinal predictions
expect Mohamed el-Shorbagy set to meet Simon Rosner while Karim Abdel
Gawad set to meet Marwan El Shorbagy, Aly Farag set to meet Tarek
Momen and Gregory Gaultier set to meet Mohamed Abouelghar.
The women’s seeding quarterfinal predictions expect Nour el-Sherbini set
to meet Camille Serme, Nicol David set to meet Laura Massaro, Nour El
Tayeb set to meet Nouran Gohar and Joelle King set to meet Raneem
el-Welily.
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