Serme Claims Historic 2016 US Open Crown As ElShorbagy Doubles Up

Two years after becoming the first Frenchwoman ever to win the historic British Open Camille Serme, the 27-year-old from Creteil, wrote her name into the squash history books once again by defeating World No.1 Nour El Sherbini in the final of the 2016 Delaware Investments U.S. Open and become the first Frenchwoman ever to lift the trophy.

Serme bowed out of her last tournament, September’s Al Ahram Open, with a whimper in the first round as she struggled for form but has turned her season around, producing a series of spellbinding performances to defeat World No.2 Laura Massaro, World No.6 Amanda Sobhy and World Champion El Sherbini to secure the win - in what was only her third ever PSA World Series tournament final.

After sharing the opening two games it was Serme who came through a crucial third game, coming from 0-4 down to take it in a tense tie-break courtesy of some sublime dropshot winners, and she continued to play with pinpoint precision and accuracy to come through in four games and seal an unexpected triumph.

“I cannot believe it,” said Serme.

“Two weeks ago I lost in the first round of the Al Ahram Open and was so far away from this. If someone had told me then I’d win the US Open I’d have laughed - so to now be the champion is crazy. I’m so, so happy!

“Today was a very difficult test. She’s not No.1 for nothing - it’s crazy because I felt like I was behind all the time. I just kept pushing and telling myself that I can do it.

“I had to trust in myself and be attacking. I knew I had the right tactics so I just had to keep believing. It’s one of the biggest victories of my career without a doubt.”

Speaking after the match El Sherbini said: “I gave it my all but she was the better player today and she deserved to win.”

In the Men’s final World No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy put his name on the trophy for the second time in his career - adding to his 2014 triumph - after injury once again brought a potentially epic encounter with Nick Matthew to a premature end as the 36-year-old Englishman was forced to retire in the fifth game of their title decider inside Philadelphia’s Drexel University.

It marked the third time that Matthew has been forced to retire during major encounters with ElShorbagy inside the past 18 months - with injury also thwarting the Yorkshireman during the 2015 El Gouna International and 2016 Windy City Open - bringing to an end what, for 50 minutes, was shaping up to be one of the best matches of the season.

Matthew started brighter and managed to control the play to open up a 2-0 lead after two punishing games but a hamstring injury suffered during a lengthy exchange took its toll as the Wolf began to break down, resulting with a handshake midway through the fifth game.

"I have great memories here, two years when I won it got me to the top of the rankings and whenever I'm back I just feel really happy to be here,” said ElShorbagy - who also goes top of the PSA Road To Dubai Standings courtesy of the win.

“It gives me a lot of confidence and I'm really happy that I've found my best squash this week. It's been a while since I played the way I love to play and I'm really happy I've got it back again.

"I grew up watching Nick playing and he comes from a golden generation. For me, he's the greatest out of all of them. He's raised the bar for everyone and I've watched that and learned from that, and every time I was coming close to that bar, he would push it even further.

"He's the greatest champion I've ever seen in my life, the greatest athlete I've ever seen in my life and the amount I have learned from him is unbelievable.”

After the match Matthew said: “This week was about more than squash for me.

“I haven’t won the tournament but I’ve won my squash back - on and off court I’ve found a method to enjoy the game again and play with a smile on my face.

“Ultimately my body just let me down at the end. My mind was in the game and I was enjoying it. I love being on this stage and I was a winner this week regardless of tonight.”

Result – Men’s 2016 Delaware Investments U.S. Open: Final
[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) bt [4] Nick Matthew (ENG) 10-12, 12-14, 11-1, 11-4, 3-0 retired (68m)

Result – Women’s 2016 Delaware Investments U.S. Open: Final
[6] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) 3-2: 11-8, 7-11, 12-10, 11-9 (54m)

Willstrop And David Triumph In Five-Game Battles To Secure US Open Last Eight Berths

Former Men’s World No.1 James Willstrop and eight-time Women’s World Champion Nicol David held off an Egyptian charge to come through testing five-game battles in their 2016 Delaware Investments U.S. Open second round encounters and secure a place in the quarter-finals of the second PSA World Series tournament of the 2016/17 season.

World No.19 Willstrop, who produced a masterclass performance to eliminate World No.3 Omar Mosaad in the first round, had to call on all his experience to get the better of World No.20 Mohamed Abouelghar in a gruelling 70 minute encounter that saw the 23-year-old playing with fearless attacking intent that unsettled WIllstrop from the off.

But the 33-year-old showed why he’s considered one of the finest squash tacticians around as he managed to counter everything Abouelghar threw at him to keep his tournament hopes in tact.

“That was an hour and a bit of frantic intensity,” said Willstrop. “Hats off to him, he made me work so hard.

“I couldn’t get the ball off his racket in the middle area and he was playing excellent shots across me and that got me on edge. I had to play very, very well to beat him.

“I’m just so pleased to get through. I want to keep on playing - I don’t want to stop. I feel in a bit of a groove so I was so pleased to get through at the end and hopefully I can keep progressing.”

Willstrop will now go up against South African Stephen Coppinger for a place in the semi-finals after the 32-year-old - who’s place at the tournament was cast in doubt due to Hurricane Matthew wreaking havoc in his current home state of Florida - came out on the winning side of a huge 82 minute match with Malaysian qualifier Nafiizwan Adnan.

Adnan secured one of the biggest wins of his career when he took out Miguel Angel Rodriguez in the first round but his run came to an end as Coppinger powered through a series of dramatic exchanges in the fifth to secure his place in the last eight of a PSA World Series tournament for the first time since 2013.

“I’m lucky to be here in the first place, let alone be competing in a second match so I’m thrilled to get the win,” said Coppinger.

“I have plenty to work on squash wise but I’m in there and that’s what counts at this point. He’s ranked below me and on paper I should have won easier - but what it says on paper and reality is different, so I’m just very pleased to win.”

The winner of their encounter will face either World No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy or his younger brother Marwan, the World No.7, after they came through their second round fixtures to set up a last eight head-to-head while in the Women’s draw three-time U.S. Open champion Nicol David came back from the brink to keep her campaign alive and defeat 2015 runner-up Nour El Tayeb.

David was caught flat footed in the first two games as El Tayeb dictated the play, hitting winners for fun, with David looking powerless to resist the charge but the experienced star - who has won a total of 80 PSA Tour titles - managed to turn the match around in the third and launch a comeback that was completed after 53 minutes when she sealed the win 4-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-7.

“I wasn’t firing in the first game and a half and she made it very hard for me,” said David.

“I knew I had to fight all the way. I trained really hard over the summer during the off season and I wasn’t going to go down without a fight - I pushed to the limit and I’m really pleased to win that 3-2.

“I didn’t let up - I knew I wanted to keep going until the very end and that’s what I did.”

David will now take on former World No.1 Raneem El Welily in the quarter-finals, after she saw off the challenge of New Zealand’s Joelle King, while current World No.1 incumbent Nour El Sherbini will take on Alison Waters after the Englishwoman edged Egyptian qualifier Salma Hany Ibrahim.

Waters required 63 minutes, and a fifth game tie-break, to get the better of th

World No.1 ElShorbagy Escapes As Willstrop And Adran Upset US Open Seedings

World No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy narrowly avoided a shock first round exit at the 2016 Delaware Investments U.S. Open as he came from 2-1 down, saving multiple match balls, to defeat Mexican qualifier Cesar Salazar during an opening day of action at Philadelphia’s Drexel University that saw the Men’s draw blown wide open.

ElShorbagy, who won the tournament in 2014 to go top of the World Rankings for the first time in his career, struggled to contain an inspired Salazar during their 77 minute battle but managed to do just enough in the end to escape the clutches of defat and avoid joining World No.3 Omar Mosaad and number seven seed Miguel Angel Rodriguez in exiting the event at the first hurdle, as they fell at the hands of former World No.1 James Willstrop and Malaysian qualifier Nafiizwan Adnan, respectively.

“Being World No.1 isn’t always about playing the best, but about finding the way to win,” said ElShorbagy.

“In the past two seasons I have played more matches than anyone else and lately things have been going wrong with my body. I’ve had stomach problems and fevers and been struggling.

“Today I fought and fought. I won - that’s what matters - and I’ll keep fighting until the end. I’m really happy to come through - finding the way to win is the most important thing and I know that I’ll definitely be better next round after that match.”

32-year-old Englishman Willstrop evoked memories of the form that took him to the top of the World Rankings in 2012 as he produced a virtuoso display of complete control to knock out 2015 runner-up Mosaad in straight games.

Willstrop, currently ranked No.19 in the world after slowly working his way back from a serious hip operation in 2014, rekindled his form during last week’s NetSuite Open when he reached a first high profile tournament final since that surgery and he picked up where he left off as he controlled the ball and lived up to his ‘Marksman’ moniker to put Mosaad to the sword.

“I’m feeling good,” said Willstrop. “But it’s been a long time since I’ve put together a tournament winning, or latter stages, run.

“Last week in San Francisco was good but doing it at a World Series event is even tougher. I’m feeling good and if I can keep the intensity then you never know what could happen.

“The enjoyment is there for me and there’s a freshness about how I feel which is pleasing.”

Willstrop will now face Mohamed Abouelghar in the second round of a draw that is now wide open after Miguel Angel Rodriguez’s shock first round defeat to Adnan - the 30-year-old Malaysian qualifier who came through in straight-games to reach the second round of a PSA World Series tournament for only the third time in his career.

“I’m really, really happy,” said Adnan. “I almost lost to Charles Sharpes in the first round of qualification when I was 0-2 down. I told myself just to play - that I had nothing to lose - and relax. That worked and I tried to do the same today, and it is really pleasing to win - it’s a big win for me.”

Elsewhere in the Men’s draw there was a impressive win for Peruvian qualifier Diego Elias as he downed Frenchman Gregoire Marche while England’s Chris Simpson came through against Egyptian Karim Ali Fathi.

It was more straightforward for the top seeds in the Women’s draw as World No.1 Nour El Sherbini, three-time US Open champion Nicol David and World No.5 Raneem El Welily all set down impressive markers to stroll into the second round.

After returning to form at last month’s Al Ahram Open, where she claimed the honours with victory over El Sherbini in the decider, El Welily continued to impress as she saw off Belgian qualifier Nele Gilis courtesy of a comfortable 3-0 win .

“I’m always happy to be back in the US Open - I always enjoy coming back here,” said El Welily.

“Looking back at Al Ahram really makes me smile but it is in the past now. I want to make a strong push now and carry on that ki

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Squash Championships Taking Over Philadelphia This Weekend

By Pat Gallen

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) –– It’s not tennis, it’s not racquetball. It’s squash.

And Drexel University has one of the top programs in the country.

Former number one player in the world John White is the coach at Drexel.

“When squash came to America the court was a little bit narrower and we used to have to convert the racquetball court.”

White adds, “It is a very small sport in America against baseball, hockey and football, but it is growing.”

It’s growing so much that the sport is taking over Philadelphia this weekend for the US Open Squash Championships at Drexel University.

“It’s the best of the best guys and girls in the world. Everybody’s coming to play.”

But before the tournament invades Philly, Pat Gallen got a lesson from Mary and Ryan of the Drexel women’s team.

Mary Fung-a-Fat, a Drexel senior says, “It’s intense. You have agility skills, technique, fitness. I’m surprised it’s not in the Olympics yet.”

Ryan Morgan, also a senior at Drexel, says,  “I just explain it like racquetball because most people know what that is, but they think it is an older person sport. So I tell them it’s a younger person sport version of racquetball, but the size is a little different and the lines are different.”

If you want to see the best of the best, the US Open runs through October 15th at Drexel University.

Last season, the Drexel team finished ranked 10th in the country. Their new season starts next month.

ElShorbagy And El Sherbini Top October World Rankings As Egypt Make History

 

25-year-old Egyptian Mohamed ElShorbagy has maintained his World No.1 status for the 10th consecutive month to top the October 2016 Men’s PSA World Rankings during a month that sees Egypt break ground by becoming the first country ever to boast seven players inside the World’s Top Ten.


ElShorbagy, who has now marked 23 months as No.1 in total - taking him to sixth in the all time rankings list - is joined by compatriots Omar Mosaad (3), Karim Abdel Gawad (4), Ali Farag (6) Marwan ElShorbagy (7), Ramy Ashour (8) and Tarek Momen (9) to complete Egypt's domination and overtake the previous record mark of six players inside the top ten which was set by Australia in 1990.


Both Gawad, who won September’s Al Ahram Squash Open NewGiza, and Ali Farag, who lost out to Gawad in that final, have moved up to career highs while Fares Dessouky (16) and Mohamed Abouelghar, who breaks into the top 20 for the first time in his career at No.20, complete a nine-strong Egyptian contingent within the Men's Top 20.


In the Women’s World Rankings 20-year-old World Champion Nour El Sherbini has maintained her status as World No.1, holding a strong advantage over England’s Laura Massaro at No.2, while fellow Egyptian Nour El Tayeb has broken back into the top ten at No.10 for the first time in six months to complete a five-strong contingent of Egyptian players at the the summit of the women’s game, including Nouran Gohar (4), Raneem El Welily (5) and Omneya Abdel Kawy (8).


Elsewhere inside the Women’s top ten American Amanda Sobhy has moved up one spot to a new career high of No.6, overtaking Frenchwoman Camille Serme, while New Zealand’s Joelle King moves up two places to No.9.




PSA World Rankings Men’s Top 20 - October 2016

Rank Name Nationality Points Average

1 Mohamed ElShorbagy Egypt 2,100.000

2 Gregory Gaultier France 1,403.500

3 Omar Mosaad Egypt 1,003.500

4 Karim Abdel Gawad Egypt 892.500

5 Nick Matthew England 743.000

6 Ali Farag Egypt 666.500

7 Marwan ElShorbagy Egypt 612.727

8 Ramy Ashour Egypt 604.500

9 Tarek Momen Egypt 592.500

10 Mathieu Castagnet France 587.727

11 Miguel Angel Rodriguez Colombia 578.000

12 Simon Rösner Germany 566.000

13 Cameron Pilley Australia 483.636

14 Borja Golan Spain 467.000

15 Ryan Cuskelly Australia 457.727

16 Fares Dessouky Egypt 425.500

17 Daryl Selby England 411.500

18 Max Lee Hong Kong 409.000

19 James Willstrop England 377.500

20 Mohamed Abouelghar Egypt 338.000


PSA World Rankings Women’s Top 20 - October 2016

Rank Name Nationality Points Average

1 Nour El Sherbini Egypt 1,833.125

2 Laura Massaro England 1,553.750

3 Nicol David Malaysia 1,100.625

4 Nouran Gohar Egypt 1,072.778

5 Raneem El Welily Egypt 1,011.111

6 Amanda Sobhy United States 859.375

7 Camille Serme France 830.625

8 Omneya Abdel Kawy Egypt 801.250

9 Joelle King New Zealand 485.556

10 Nour El Tayeb Egypt 434.375

11 Sarah-Jane Perry England 407.222

12 Annie Au Hong Kong 392.222

13 Joshna Chinappa India 387.778

14 Alison Waters England 386.667

15 Delia Arnold Malaysia 305.556

16 Emily Whitlock England 296.500

17 Jenny Duncalf England 289.000

18 Victoria Lust England 287.778

19 Dipika Pallikal Karthik India 262.000

20 Joey Chan Hong Kong 238.333

NetSuite Champion Laura Massaro Ready For US Open Defence

Fresh from lifting the silverware at the 2016 NetSuite Open England’s Laura Massaro says she is ready to return to Philadelphia and defend her Delaware Investments U.S. Open crown when the second PSA World Series tournament of the season gets underway on October 8.


Massaro stormed to the title in 2015 - beating Nicol David and Nour El Tayeb in two memorable encounters en route - in a victory that set up her charge towards the World No.1 ranking which she claimed in January 2016, and fresh from taking down crowd-favourite Amanda Sobhy to take the spoils in San Francisco the 32-year-old is hoping to keep her momentum going into one of her favourite events.


"I really enjoy playing at the U.S. Open,” said Massaro.


“I love going back to Drexel University (where the action takes place) each year and I have some really good memories there. I’ve won it a couple of times now, which has been special, and I always feel really welcome there in the city.


“My brother is also now living in Philadelphia, so it feels like a home away from home because I can stay with him for a few days as well so I’m really looking forward to it.”


With Nouran Gohar, Nour El Sherbini and Raneem El Welily all having claimed major PSA World Series titles inside the past six months along with Massaro - and players like Sobhy and Nicol David in the mix in major finals - the Englishwoman knows she will have to be at her best in order to keep the trophy in her hands - but she admits her focus will only now shift to Philadelphia after a sterling week at the NetSuite Open which was caped off with a 3-1 victory over Sobhy to claim the W50 title.


“I try to keep really present and take care of the matches that I'm playing so I wasn’t looking ahead during NetSuite or focusing on the draw or anything,” she said.


“Apart form booking my flight and knowing that it was coming up, I hadn’t given it too much thought but I will prepare myself for the tournament now.


“The Tour on the Women’s side is perhaps the strongest it’s ever been. I think it’s really exciting right now for the game and I’m really pleased to be part of it. I think all of us have got such different games, every single one of us steps on court with a different style of play.


“It’s keeping all of us on our toes and hopefully it is entertaining the fans as well and hopefully I can play well this week in Philadelphia.”


Massaro will begin her title defence against a qualifier on October 9 and is seeded to meet India’s Joshna Chinappa, France’s Camille Serme and Egyptian Nouran Gohar on route to any potential appearance in the 2016 title-decider.


2016 Delaware Investments U.S. Open - Women’s First Round Draw:

[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v [Qualifier]

Rachael Grinham (AUS) v [13] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)

[16] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) v [Qualifier]

[WC] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) v [8] Alison Waters (ENG)

[5] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v [Qualifier]

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

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

Line Hansen (DEN) v [3] Nicol David (MAS)

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

[Qualifier] v [14] Emily Whitlock (ENG)

[15] Victoria Lust (ENG) v Donna Urquhart (AUS)

Dipika Pallikal Karthik (IND) v [7] Amanda Sobhy (USA)

[6] Camille Serme (FRA) v Delia Arnold (MAS)

Joey Chan (HKG) v [12] Annie Au (HKG)

[9] Joshna Chinappa (IND) v Heba El Torky (EGY)

[Qualifier] v [2] Laura Massaro (ENG)


Tickets for the 2016 Delaware Investments U.S. Open are now available to buy online by visiting the event website (www.usopensquash.com) with tickets priced from $25 – $250.

U.S. Open Squash
www.usopensquash.com
Official site with directions, announcements, tickets, players attending and their ranks, the schedule, and results.


-ends-

Music & Movie Review on HFtv with Jadesola ADEGBOYEGA

Music/Movie Review with Adegboyega Jadesola
This is not about squash; Meet Naija Squash Media Freelance Editorial Manager- ADEGBOYEGA Jadesola now making waves in the ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
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Often times i wonder how she does these: NAIJA SQUASH MEDIA EDITORIAL MANAGER, An AOP... co-host on the program YOUTHMAG at eko fm every saturday 6pm-7pm and presently a full time presenter at HFtv an online Tv channel.
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Willstrop, Elias and Massaro All Win on Day Three of NetSuite Open

Former World No.1 James Willstrop produced a superb comeback to overturn a two-game deficit and eliminate Germany’s Simon Rösner in the quarter-final stage of the NetSuite Open, PSA M100 tournament taking place on San Francisco’s Justin Herman Plaza.

The Englishman looked down and out after Rösner opened up a two-game lead, but tournament wildcard Willstrop dug in superbly and used all of his 17 years of experience to battle back, taking three games without reply to earn a 9-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-2, 12-10 victory.

"I think the quality of the squash was so good," said Willstrop.

"It was a pretty high standard, we were both hitting the ball accurately. It’s cut-throat stuff, the ball was flying around and you have to have such control to stay in it. His pace and control was a little bit better in the first two games.

"He won the crucial points in the second, but it was close. The key is that I didn’t panic, it’s a difficult psychological deficit to overcome when you’re 2-0 down. The statistics show that people don’t do it often, so I just had to keep making him play and I knew that I might be able to find a way in."

Two-time World Junior Champion Diego Elias will meet Willstrop for a place in the final after a clinical showing saw him overcome Frenchman Gregoire Marche.

The fixture featured a clash of styles, with Marche’s all-action style contrasting with the languid one of Elias, and it was the latter who rose to a two-game lead courtesy of some intelligent court craft and fine winners.

Marche had beaten three-time World Champion Nick Matthew in the previous round, but was frustrated time and time again by the prodigious talents of Elias, who wrapped up an 11-8, 11-9, 11-4 triumph in 40 minutes.

"I’m really happy, it’s my first win on SQUASHTV," said Elias.

"I was focused, I wanted to enjoy the match and I played my best. It has been an amazing experience, I knew the court was a bit tricky, but I’m happy I was able to play well on it.

"I had so much fun and wanted to thank everyone for supporting me."

In the Women’s event, World No.2 Laura Massaro became the first finalist after overcoming New Zealand’s Joelle King in an imperious display from the Englishwoman.

Preston-based Massaro overcame a strong start from King to record a 12-10, 11-5, 11-4 win, ensuring she will lock horns with either eight-time World Champion Nicol David or home hero Amanda Sobhy, who play tomorrow, in the final.

"I was way down in that first one, and I think it just shows that if you’re not completely focused, then her skills are just too good, so it was about making sure that I was 100 per cent focused on the game plan that I set out before," said World No.2 Massaro.

"Being able to stick to a game plan is probably one of my biggest strengths and as long as I do that, I’m happy win or lose, so that’s my only focus when I’m on court."

2016 NetSuite Open - Men’s Quarter-Final Results (Bottom Half)
[WC] James Willstrop (ENG) bt [6] Simon Rösner (GER) 3-2: 9-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-2, 12-10 (79m)
[Q] Diego Elias (PER) bt [Q] Gregoire Marche (FRA) 3-0: 11-8, 11-9, 11-4 (40m)

2016 NetSuite Open - Men’s Semi-Final Draw: To be played on September 30th
[1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v [4] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY)
[WC] James Willstrop (ENG) v [Q] Diego Elias (PER)

2016 NetSuite Open - Women’s Semi-Final Result (Top Half)
[1] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [4] Joelle King (NZL) 3-0: 12-10, 11-5, 11-4 (33m)

2016 NetSuite Open - Women’s Semi-Final Result (Bottom Half): To be played on September 30th
[3] Amanda Sobhy (USA) v [2] Nicol David (MAS)

-ends-

Elias and Al Tamimi Cause Upsets in Final Round of NetSuite Open Qualifying

Peruvian World No.34 Diego Elias and Qatari World No.42 Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi overcame higher-ranked opposition in the final qualifying round of the NetSuite Open to reach the main draw of the PSA M100 tournament taking place in San Francisco, United States.

World No.34 Elias, a two-time World Junior Champion, came up against England’s Tom Richards in his fixture, with 30-year-old Richards ranked eight places above Elias in the World Rankings.

But an apparent injury to Richards after the opening game saw him struggle with his movement, and Elias picked him off to record an 11-5, 11-3, 11-1 triumph in 35 minutes, setting up a main draw clash with Egypt’s Ali Farag, who reached the final of the Al Ahram Squash Open NEWGIZA last week.

"The first game was very tough and long," said Elias.

"I think something happened, maybe he picked up an injury because he wasn’t the same. But I’m happy with the win and to feel well on court.

"It’s the first time I’ve played here, I got injured a week before the tournament last year so it’s great to reach the main draw. I’m very happy to be here. I didn’t think ahead to the main draw because I was focusing on getting through qualifying first. I don’t care who I face, every match is going to be hard."

Al Tamimi, meanwhile, secured his main berth courtesy of a fine win over World No.36 Adrian Waller in straight games. The 21-year-old, who has three PSA World Tour titles to his name, will take on World No.12 Simon Rösner for a place in the last eight.

Frenchman Gregoire Marche and Switzerland’s Nicolas Mueller were the other victors on the final day of qualifying after they achieved respective wins against Alan Clyne and Cesar Salazar.

Marche will lock horns with last year’s runner-up Nick Matthew in the next round, while Mueller will line up against World No.7 Marwan ElShorbagy.

Elsewhere, all of the top four qualifying seeds in the Women’s event made it through to the main draw unscathed, with former World No.5 Low Wee Wern banishing the injury demons that have dogged the last 18 months of her career to defeat England’s Alison Thomson.

"I’m feeling great to be able to be back on court again. To be honest, it feels a bit weird to be playing in the qualifying, I haven’t done that in a long time. But it’s good to get two matches in and to get to the main draw again.

"I’m just happy to get back on court again. When I first came back I put a lot of pressure on myself to want to do well and win again. After a while, you realise that you should just be happy to play with no pain. So right now, this year that’s my goal. To play as many matches as I can without any hassle.”

Low is set to face Egypt’s World No.12 Nour El Tayeb in round one, while Fiona Moverley, Samantha Teran and Sarah Cardwell also rose to victories.

Moverley and Teran will meet United States No.1 Amanda Sobhy and Heba El Torky, respectively, while Cardwell will clash with England’s Victoria Lust.

2016 NetSuite Open - Men’s Final Qualifying Round Results
[4] Gregoire Marche (FRA) bt [8] Alan Clyne (SCO) 3-1: 9-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-3 (65m)
[6] Diego Elias (PER) bt [2] Tom Richards (ENG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-3, 11-1 (25m)
[5] Nicholas Mueller (SUI) bt [3] Cesar Salazar (MEX) 3-2: 5-11, 11-3, 11-7, 7-11, 11-3 (46m)
Abdulla Al Tamimi (QAT) bt [7] Adrian Waller (ENG) 3-0: 11-7, 11-6, 11-7 (35m)

2016 NetSuite Open - Men’s First Round Draw
[1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v Saurav Ghosal (IND)
Max Lee (HKG) v [8] Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)
[7] Cameron Pilley (AUS) v Stephen Coppinger (RSA)
[Q] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) v [4] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY)
[3] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) v [WC] James Willstrop (ENG)
[Q] Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT) v [6] Simon Rösner (GER)
[6] Ali Farag (EGY) v [Q] Diego Elias (PER)
[Q] Gregoire Marche (FRA) v [2] Nick Matthew (ENG)

2016 NetSuite Open - Women’s Final Qualifying Round Results
[1] Fiona Moverley (ENG) bt Laura Pomportes (FRA) 3-0: 11-8

OCTOBER 2016 PSA Ranking

October 2016 PSA Professional squash Athlete ranking

NIGERIA AT 56!!!

*HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO NIGERIANS HOME & ABROAD WITH HER VISITORS *
Nigeria is our country/we dwell in it. Despite all odds,we need to bless it,the earlier we accept this the better for us all to achieve our dreams.
*ATTITUDE* plays a large role in things we do, ATTITUDE towards your Leaders, at your place of work,where you earn commercial value; ATTITUDE towards the country you dwell in & her people . ATTITUDE,the only word added together numerically = 100%
Give a good ATTITUDE today,your Reward will come in FOLDS!
God bless Nigeria

Elias and Al Tamimi Cause Upsets in Final Round of NetSuite Open Qualifying

Peruvian World No.34 Diego Elias and Qatari World No.42 Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi overcame higher-ranked opposition in the final qualifying round of the NetSuite Open to reach the main draw of the PSA M100 tournament taking place in San Francisco, United States.

World No.34 Elias, a two-time World Junior Champion, came up against England’s Tom Richards in his fixture, with 30-year-old Richards ranked eight places above Elias in the World Rankings.

But an apparent injury to Richards after the opening game saw him struggle with his movement, and Elias picked him off to record an 11-5, 11-3, 11-1 triumph in 35 minutes, setting up a main draw clash with Egypt’s Ali Farag, who reached the final of the Al Ahram Squash Open NEWGIZA last week.

"The first game was very tough and long," said Elias.

"I think something happened, maybe he picked up an injury because he wasn’t the same. But I’m happy with the win and to feel well on court.

"It’s the first time I’ve played here, I got injured a week before the tournament last year so it’s great to reach the main draw. I’m very happy to be here. I didn’t think ahead to the main draw because I was focusing on getting through qualifying first. I don’t care who I face, every match is going to be hard."

Al Tamimi, meanwhile, secured his main berth courtesy of a fine win over World No.36 Adrian Waller in straight games. The 21-year-old, who has three PSA World Tour titles to his name, will take on World No.12 Simon Rösner for a place in the last eight.

Frenchman Gregoire Marche and Switzerland’s Nicolas Mueller were the other victors on the final day of qualifying after they achieved respective wins against Alan Clyne and Cesar Salazar.

Marche will lock horns with last year’s runner-up Nick Matthew in the next round, while Mueller will line up against World No.7 Marwan ElShorbagy.

Elsewhere, all of the top four qualifying seeds in the Women’s event made it through to the main draw unscathed, with former World No.5 Low Wee Wern banishing the injury demons that have dogged the last 18 months of her career to defeat England’s Alison Thomson.

"I’m feeling great to be able to be back on court again. To be honest, it feels a bit weird to be playing in the qualifying, I haven’t done that in a long time. But it’s good to get two matches in and to get to the main draw again.

"I’m just happy to get back on court again. When I first came back I put a lot of pressure on myself to want to do well and win again. After a while, you realise that you should just be happy to play with no pain. So right now, this year that’s my goal. To play as many matches as I can without any hassle.”

Low is set to face Egypt’s World No.12 Nour El Tayeb in round one, while Fiona Moverley, Samantha Teran and Sarah Cardwell also rose to victories.

Moverley and Teran will meet United States No.1 Amanda Sobhy and Heba El Torky, respectively, while Cardwell will clash with England’s Victoria Lust.

2016 NetSuite Open - Men’s Final Qualifying Round Results
[4] Gregoire Marche (FRA) bt [8] Alan Clyne (SCO) 3-1: 9-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-3 (65m)
[6] Diego Elias (PER) bt [2] Tom Richards (ENG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-3, 11-1 (25m)
[5] Nicholas Mueller (SUI) bt [3] Cesar Salazar (MEX) 3-2: 5-11, 11-3, 11-7, 7-11, 11-3 (46m)
Abdulla Al Tamimi (QAT) bt [7] Adrian Waller (ENG) 3-0: 11-7, 11-6, 11-7 (35m)

2016 NetSuite Open - Men’s First Round Draw
[1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v Saurav Ghosal (IND)
Max Lee (HKG) v [8] Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)
[7] Cameron Pilley (AUS) v Stephen Coppinger (RSA)
[Q] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) v [4] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY)
[3] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) v [WC] James Willstrop (ENG)
[Q] Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT) v [6] Simon Rösner (GER)
[6] Ali Farag (EGY) v [Q] Diego Elias (PER)
[Q] Gregoire Marche (FRA) v [2] Nick Matthew (ENG)

2016 NetSuite Open - Women’s Final Qualifying Round Results
[1] Fiona Moverley (ENG) bt Laura Pomportes (FRA) 3-0: 11-8

WSF World Masters – South Africa Posted:

The 2016 edition of trhe WSF World Masters is under way in Johannesburg, with almost 1,000 players aiming to become World Champion in one of nineteen men’s and women’s categories from Over 35 to Over 80.

Stay up to date with all the action on the WSF Official Site wsfworldmasters.com

WSF WORLD MASTERS OFFICIAL SITE

James and Letourneau Lift Nash Cup Crowns

Defending champion Declan James and home hero Danielle Letourneau triumphed in their respective final clashes against Peruvian Diego Elias and Japan’s Misaki Kobayashi to become the 2016 Nash Cup champions at the London Squash and Fitness Club in Canada.

World No.39 James, who overcame Qatar’s Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi in last year’s final, took the Men’s title after a series of assured displays saw him down Jaymie Haycocks, Jan van den Herrewegen and World No.50 Ben Coleman to set up a encounter with Elias, a two-time World Junior Champion, in the final of the PSA M15 event.

In the pair’s first meeting on the PSA World Tour, Elias, who beat Michael McCue, Andrew Schnell and Olli Tuominen en route to the final, took an early lead in the opening game, before a determined James battled back to build up a 1-0 advantage.

James eased to victory in game two to double his lead, but Elias responded with a more patient approach, which paid immediate dividends as the 19-year-old clawed the third game back for the loss of two points, before claiming the fourth to level the scores and set up a decider.

Nottingham-born James steadied himself at the outset of the fifth game, with the 23-year-old storming 7-2 ahead, and he fended off Elias’s attempts to work his way back into the match to close out an 11-9, 11-5, 2-11, 6-11, 11-6 victory, capturing his ninth PSA World Tour title in the process.

"I’m feeling great, to be champion for a second year is amazing," said James.

"I hope that I can come back for the hat-trick. Tonight was so tough against Diego, it was 90 minutes of attacking, hard squash. We are both very young, so I hope this is the first of many battles on the way to the top 10.

"It’s been an amazing week here in London, what an amazing club and atmosphere. This is why all the players come back year after year and more and more come. The hospitality is amazing here."

The Women’s PSA W10 title, meanwhile, ended up in the hands of Calgary-based World No.65 Letourneau after a nail-biting clash with third seed Kobayashi saw four of the five games go to dramatic tie-breaks.

A 16-14 victory for Letourneau in game two, sandwiched by wins for Kobayashi in the first and third games, left the player from Japan on the cusp of victory as she aimed for a first PSA World Tour title since June 2015.

But, with a vocal home crowd behind her, Letourneau battled back, taking the fourth to restore parity before holding her nerve in a climactic 18-16 tie-break victory in the fifth to claim her second Tour title of the year.

"This is my biggest tournament win ever," said Letourneau, who also beat compatriots Hollie Naughton and Samantha Cornett during the event.

"It’s my first 10k victory, I am still in a bit of a daze at the moment. Beating the number two, three and four seeds, including 2 Canadian ladies, is amazing. I was very focused the entire tournament and just kept my head down and played squash.

"I am happy to have just ground it out at the end, it was obviously one of those matches with basically every game a tie-break, so it could go either way. I felt fine physically, even at the end, the adrenaline and the crowd just kept me going. When there’s so much energy from the crowd, you don’t even feel your body."

Result - Final: Men’s Nash Cup 2016
[2] Declan James (ENG) bt [1] Diego Elias (PER) 3-2: 11-9, 11-5, 2-11, 6-11, 11-6 (90m)

Result - Final: Women’s Nash Cup 2016
[7] Danielle Letourneau (CAN) bt [3] Misaki Kobayashi (JPN) 3-2: 9-11, 16-14, 11-13, 14-12, 18-16 (65m)

-ends-

Notes
Photo Caption: (L-R) 2016 Men's Nash Cup winner Declan James, 2016 Women's Nash Cup winner Danielle Letourneau, Tournament Promoter Jay Nash, 2016 Women's Nash Cup runner-up Misaki Kobayashi, 2016 Men's Nash Cup runner-up Diego Elias