CANARY WHARF CLASSIC TOURNAMENT PREVIEW

The Citigold Wealth Management Canary Wharf Squash Classic gets underway this weekend in the heart of England’s capital.

East Wintergarden will play host to the event, which is being held for the 16th time, with defending Champion Mohamed ElShorbagy looking to retain his crown.

There is a prize pot of $109,000 for the tournament, with the victor taking home just under $18,000 of it for winning the PSA Gold event.

The first round begins on Sunday afternoon at 13:00 GMT, as Mazen Hesham takes on home favourite James Willstrop on the glass court.

Willstrop is one of seven Englishmen who will be looking for glory on home soil. World No.494 Sam Todd is the wildcard for the event, with Declan James, Adrian Waller, Tom Richards, George Parker and Daryl Selby also representing the country.


Tarek Momen (r) and Marwan ElShorbagy will be in action in London this week

The top eight seeds have received a bye through to the second round. They include four Egyptians, in the ElShorbagy brothers, Tarek Momen and Fares Dessouky.

They will face the winners of the first round ties, with the second round draw being split across Monday and Tuesday evenings, with the top half playing first.

The quarter finals will then be played on Wednesday evening, with the semi finals the following night. The final of the Canary Wharf Classic will take place on Friday March 15.

First Round Draw: Sunday March 10
Borja Golan (ESP) v [9/16] Omar Mosaad (EGY)
[9/16] Declan James (ENG) v Greg Lobban (SCO)
Mazen Hesham (EGY) v [9/16] James Willstrop (ENG)
[9/16] Raphael Kandra (GER) v Adrian Waller (ENG)
Cameron Pilley (AUS) v [9/16] Tom Richards (ENG)
[9/16] Joel Makin (WAL) v Gregoire Marche (FRA)
George Parker (ENG) v [9/16] Daryl Selby (ENG)
[9/16] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) v [WC] Sam Todd (ENG)

Second Round Draw (Top Half): Monday March 11
[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) v Golan/Mosaad
James/Lobban v [5] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY)
[8] Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) v Hesham/Willstrop
Kandra/Waller v [3] Tarek Momen (EGY)

Second Round Draw (Bottom Half): Tuesday March 12
[4] Paul Coll (AUS) v Pilley/Richards
Makin/Marche v [6] Max Lee (HKG)
[7] Fares Dessouky (EGY) v Parker/Selby
Castagnet/Todd v [2] Simon Rösner (GER)

CREDIT: PSA NEWS