2017 British Open champions Gregory Gaultier (left) and Laura Massaro (right)
The world’s greatest squash players will be on show at Hull’s Airco Arena between May 15-20 when the 2018 edition of the Allam British Open – the sport’s longest running tournament – takes place with a record prize fund of $165,000 up for grabs in both the men’s and women’s events.
The prestigious World Series tournament will be staged in Hull for a sixth year in succession and will feature a host of world-class talent as the likes of men’s World No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy, defending champion Gregory Gaultier, women’s World No.1 Nour El Sherbini and World Champion Raneem El Welily do battle for the title.
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on three-time winner Nick Matthew as he makes his final appearance at the iconic tournament, with the 37-year-old veteran set to retire at the end of the season. Matthew has enjoyed title success at this tournament in 2006, 2009 and 2012, with a memorable final victory over fellow Yorkshireman James Willstrop in 2009 sparking one of the most captivating rivalries squash has ever seen.
Women’s defending champion Laura Massaro will be one of three English women currently inside the world’s top 10 to compete in Hull. The number seven seed will be joined in the draw by compatriots Sarah-Jane Perry – who together with Massaro contested the first female all-English final since 1991 last year – and Alison Waters, while Victoria Lust and Emily Whitlock are also involved.
Hull-based Fiona Moverley has been named as the wildcard in the women's draw, while Nottingham's World No.25 Declan James claims the men's wildcard spot.
In addition to offering up one of the most coveted titles in professional squash, the British Open will also give players a final opportunity to gain points on the PSA World Series Standings as they aim to secure a top eight berth which will guarantee qualification for June’s PSA World Series Finals.
The University of Hull Sports and Fitness Centre will host the qualification rounds between May 13-14 and selected main draw matches from the first round on May 15.
Glass court matches from May 15-20 will be staged at the Airco Arena and will be shown live on SQUASHTV (Rest of World) and Eurosport Player (Europe only) with the semi-finals and finals being shown live on broadcast channels across the globe, such as BT Sport, beIN Sports, Fox Sports Australia and Astro.
For all of the latest news on the 2018 British Open, please visit www.allambritishopen.com or follow the tournament on Twitter: @BritOpenSquash
Tickets for the tournament can be purchased via Ticketmaster.
2018 Men’s Allam British Open – Entry List
1) Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY)
2) Ali Farag (EGY)
3) Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
4) Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY)
5) Tarek Momen (EGY)
6) Simon Rösner (GER)
7) Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
8) Ramy Ashour (EGY)
9) Paul Coll (NZL)
10) Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY)
11) Diego Elias (PER)
12) Nick Matthew (ENG)
13) Saurav Ghosal (IND)
14) James Willstrop (ENG)
15) Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)
16) Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
17) Nicolas Mueller (SUI)
18) Daryl Selby (ENG)
19) Cameron Pilley (AUS)
20) Omar Mosaad (EGY)
21) Max Lee (HKG)
22) Borja Golan (ESP)
23) Cesar Salazar (MEX)
Wildcard) Declan James (ENG)
2018 Women’s Allam British Open – Entry List
1) Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
2) Raneem El Welily (EGY)
3) Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
4) Joelle King (NZL)
5) Nouran Gohar (EGY)
6) Camille Serme (FRA)
7) Laura Massaro (ENG)
8) Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
9) Nicol David (MAS)
10) Alison Waters (ENG)
11) Annie Au (HKG)
12) Tesni Evans (WAL)
13) Olivia Blatchford (USA)
14) Joshna Chinappa (IND)
15) Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY)
16) Victoria Lust (ENG)
17) Donna Urquhart (AUS)
18) Salma Hany (EGY)
19) Dipika Pallikal Karthik (IND)
20) Emily Whitlock (ENG)
21) Mariam Metwally (EGY)
22) Hania El Hammamy (EGY)
23) Joey Chan (HKG)
Wildcard) Fiona Moverley (ENG)
CREDIT: PSA
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