Top-Class Squash Stars Set to Descend on San Francisco for Oracle NetSuite Open

     

Some of the greatest squash players across the globe will compete at the 2018 edition of the Oracle NetSuite Open, with reigning World Champions Mohamed ElShorbagy and Raneem El Welily headlining the men’s and women’s events respectively between September 27 - October 2 when world-class squash return to the stunning glass show court erected alongside the Embarcadero in San Francisco.

The Oracle NetSuite Open boasts one of the most unique and eye-catching venues in squash and this year celebrates its 7th year held on Embarcadero Plaza, which is located on the spectacular San Francisco waterfront in front of the famous Ferry Building.

Defending champion ElShorbagy will appear alongside World No.2 Ali Farag in the men’s draw, which boasts eight of the world's top 10, including  British Open champion Miguel Angel Rodriguez, Tournament of Champions winner Simon Rosner, and past Oracle NetSuite Open champions Gregory Gaultier and Ramy Ashour, who will join the battle for honours at the PSA World Tour Gold tournament.

In the women’s tournament, El Welily makes her first ever appearance at the event and competes in a draw full to the brim with world-class players, including 2016 winner Laura Massaro, defending champion Sarah-Jane Perry and the player she beat in the final, Nicol David.

Perry's title-winning displays last October made up for a runner-up finish at the 2015 instalment, where she lost to United States favourite Amanda Sobhy. Sobhy missed last year’s tournament due to an achilles injury but she makes her return this year to join compatriot Olivia Blatchford in the draw of the PSA World Tour Silver women’s event.

The Oracle NetSuite Open is one of the most highly-anticipated tournaments on the PSA World Tour and offers in excess of $200,000 worth of prize money across both draws.

The prestige of the tournament and the lucrative prize purse has helped draw in stars from across the world, with 17 different nationalities represented across both the men’s and women’s events.

Tickets start from $20 and can be purchased via the tournament website.

First and second round action will be split between the Bay Club Redwood Shores, Squash Zone, Bay Club San Francisco, the Olympic Club and the University Club while the quarter-finals onwards will be held at the Oracle NetSuite SuiteSuccess court erected on Embarcadero Plaza from September 29.

Fixtures shown on the Oracle NetSuite SuiteSuccess court will be broadcast live on SQUASHTV (Rest of World) and Eurosport Player (Europe only).

Follow the tournament on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

2018 Men’s Oracle NetSuite Open – Entry List
1) Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY)
2) Ali Farag (EGY)
3) Tarek Momen (EGY)
4) Simon Rösner (GER)
5) Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
6) Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
7) Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
8) Ramy Ashour (EGY)
9) Diego Elias (PER)
10) Saurav Ghosal (IND)
11) Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)
12) James Willstrop (ENG)
13) Cesar Salazar (MEX)
14) Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)
15) Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT)
16) Gregoire Marche (FRA)
17) Mazen Hesham (EGY)
18) Lucas Serme (FRA)
19) Alan Clyne (SCO)
20) Campbell Grayson (NZL)
21) Joel Makin (WAL)
22) Karim Ali Fathi (EGY)
23) Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY)
Wildcard) Charlie Johnson (ENG)

2018 Women’s Oracle NetSuite Open – Entry List
1) Raneem El Welily (EGY)
2) Joelle King (NZL)
3) Camille Serme (FRA)
4) Laura Massaro (ENG)
5) Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
6) Nicol David (MAS)
7) Alison Waters (ENG)
8) Annie Au (HKG)
9) Olivia Blatchford (USA)
10) Salma Hany (EGY)
11) Donna Lobban (SCO)
12) Amanda Sobhy (USA)
13) Dipika Pallikal Karthik (IND)
14) Fiona Moverley (ENG)
15) Yathreb Adel (EGY)
16) Mille Tomlinson (ENG)
17) Jenny Duncalf (EN)
18) Rachael Grinham (AUS)
19) Nadine Shahin (EGY)
20) Rowan Elaraby (EGY)
21) Coline Aumard (FRA)
22) Hollie Naughton (CAN)
23) Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL)
Wildcard) TBC

PSA Sign Groundbreaking Partnership with Sports Data Labs

       
The Professional Squash Association (PSA) has today confirmed a groundbreaking partnership with global technology provider Sports Data Labs that will see squash become the first professional sport ever to make in-game physiological data assets available for commercialisation.

Using Sports Data Labs’ proprietary data capture and tracking technology in what is the first ever season-long agreement of its kind in professional sports, the PSA will receive real-time human data throughout the 2018/19 PSA Tour season.

The data will be incorporated into the sport’s official broadcasts to enhance the viewing experience, whilst simultaneously being made available to commercial partners such as sports betting companies and organisations established in the health & wellness industries.

In addition, players will be given access to the data to help them with performance analysis and training, while earnings from these commercial opportunities will be split between the PSA, Sports Data Labs and the PSA’s athletes using a revenue share model - the first of its kind ever to be incorporated in professional sport.

"Sports Data Labs have extensive experience of capturing and monetising athlete data and this partnership will help position squash at the forefront of using physiological data in professional sports," said PSA COO Lee Beachill.

"We trialled Sports Data Labs’ technology at various points during the 2017/18 season and the data highlighted the true physical demands of squash, along with proving that our athletes are amongst the fittest in the world.

"We are excited to incorporate this data into future tournament broadcasts which will bring a new dimension to the sport, and we are perfectly placed to explore the numerous commercial opportunities that will come about as a result of having access to this data."

PSA Men’s President and World No.2 Ali Farag said: "It is great news that we are finally partnering up with Sports Data Labs officially. The work they've done over the past season through the trials was tremendous, it really showcases the severity of our sport. The tangible data proving that squash players play for a few consecutive minutes over the 180+ bpm heart rate acquired by Sports Data Labs has definitely raised the profile of our sport and this can definitely have a positive effect on the growth of our game.

"It is extremely important to keep moving forward, and with the way sports and life in general are heading, there's no way of growing without embracing more & more new technologies. This is certainly a positive step for squash and I am really looking forward to a brilliant future ahead with Sports Data Labs."

Sports Data Labs Chief Executive Mark Gorski said: “We are thrilled to partner with the PSA and pioneer how in-game physiological data, and assets derived from that data, can be utilised for real-time performance applications and commercial use cases in professional sport, including sports betting. We look forward to providing our turnkey solution for the 2018/19 season and creating entirely new value for PSA stakeholders.”

For more information on Sports Data Labs, visit www.sportsdatalabs.com or follow them on Twitter: @sportsdatalabs

About Sports Data Labs
Sports Data Labs provides the technology infrastructure to enable in-game capture, analysis and distribution of real-time human data for athlete and team consumption, as well as other business and consumer applications. Sports Data Labs had previously provided over 80 hours of real-time human data content captured across 50 matches on three continents for the PSA during the 2017/18 season. Sports Data Labs’ agnostic platform enables the PSA to utilise the best technology available at any given time, while providing sensor companies with an easy pathway in professional sports. Sports Data Labs and the PSA aim to make the PSA a testing ground for new technologies as they come to market.

Asian Games 2018: India squash player Mahesh Mangoankar confident of team repeating 2014 heroics in Jakarta event

 

Mahesh Mangoankar was part of the Indian men's squash team that bagged the gold medal in the 2014 Asian Games in South Korea, and he says the current squad will aim to repeat the feat in the upcoming edition of the continental multi-sport event.

The experienced player believes the squad, of which he is again a member, will target nothing less than the gold in the Games starting on August 18 in Indonesia, although he singled out Hong Kong as strong title contenders.

Mangoankar, along with Saurav Ghosal, Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu and Kush Kumar, had won the gold at the 17th Asian Games at Incheon, South Korea, four years ago.

Representative image. AFPRepresentative image. AFP
This time, Ramit Tandon is the lone change as replacement for Kumar in the team.

"Yes. We are trying to win it (the gold). We never try for (just) a podium finish and we always try to win the gold," Mangoankar told PTI.

"Obviously, we are going with the expectation of defending it (title) again and just the fact that last time, we beat Malaysia in the final (is a morale booster)," he explained.

The 24-year-old squash player, currently ranked No. 3 in India, was speaking on the sidelines of the 43rd Maharashtra State mens squash tournament that began at the Bombay Gymkhana here and in which he is the top seed.

Though the draw for the Asian Games is yet to be completed, Mangoankar feels Hong Kong have the best team.

"This year, we are likely to play them (Malaysia) in the semi-finals, if we get there. And semi-finals again will be a tough match. And in the final, if we win the semis, then we expect to play Hong Kong.

"Hong Kong has the best team they have ever produced. All of them are in the top 30 in the world. So, they are still favourites to win the tournament, even if we are the defending champions," Mangoankar said.

The Indian team is to assemble in Chennai for a small camp before leaving for Indonesia which is hosting the continental games in Jakarta and Palembang.

"The preparation is good. Just 10 days before the Asian Games, we are going to have a meet in Chennai, starting from the 10th (August).

"We will be having group discussion and training camp. Otherwise everyone has been preparing individually for the past four years," he said.

"We have played together before. Everyone will be giving their 100 per cent for every match. I get along very well with my team mates, and they are like a family," he added.

Mangoankar recalled his experience of the 2014 Games, terming clinching the gold as a cherished moment in his career.

"It was just amazing, winning a gold (medal) for India in 2014. It was the best feeling in the world. That week in particular all of us played well.

"We were like bonding (well), discussing a lot of tactics with each other about our opponents, (chalking out) game plans on how to play/beat them. It was a great experience for me," said he, walking down the memory lane.

STILL ON G.O.A.T: ROSHAN KHAN & SUE COGSWELL

Over the last month, we have given squash fans the chance to decide the greatest players in squash history as we looked over the achievements and legacies of some of the most recognisable names ever to take to a squash court.

The votes are now in and we will be announcing the results in descending order to until we reveal the official men’s and women’s GOAT.

In 19th place…

Roshan Khan
Nationality: Pakistani
British Open Titles: 1
British Open Final Defeats: 2

Alongside compatriot and second cousin Hashim Khan, Peshawar-born Roshan Khan was part of the first wave of Pakistani talent that dominated the sport in the 1950s and early 60s, while he also played a huge part in the credible ‘Khan Dynasty’ – fathering the legendary Jahangir Khan, who went on to have a record-breaking career in the sport.

Born in 1929, Roshan had established himself as one of the world’s leading players by the time he was in his 20’s and finished as runner-up to Hashim in the inaugural Pakistan Open before going on to win it three times in a row between 1951-1953.

Roshan made his British Open debut in 1954 against another of his cousins – Hashim’s younger brother Azam – with his run coming to an end in the semi-finals, while he lost out to Hashim at the same stage of the following year’s tournament.

Hashim proved to be his downfall again in 1956 as Roshan earned his place in the final for the first time but he got his revenge in 1957, coming back from a game down to write his name into the history books and end his cousin’s six-year title reign.

A strong 1958-1959 season then followed as he won the Pakistan, US, Australian and Egyptian Opens before losing out to Azam in the final of the 1960 British Open.

In addition to Jahangir, Roshan also fathered former World No.13 Torsam Khan, who tragically passed away from a heart attack during a match in Australia.

Sue Cogswell
Nationality: English
World Championship Finals: 1
British Open Finals: 3
British National Wins: 5

Sue Cogswell was the 1979 World Championship runner-up and three-time British Open runner-up.

Cogswell also won the British National Squash Championship five times between 1975 and 1977-79 – a feat which is only bettered by former World No.1 Laura Massaro.

The Englishwoman was runner-up at the 1979 Women’s World Open Squash Championship, where she lost in the final to legendary Australian Heather McKay 6-9, 9-3, 9-1, 9-4.

Cogswell was also a three-time runner-up at the coveted British Open, losing in the final to McKay, in 1974, to Barbara Wall in 1979, and to Vicki Cardwell in 1980.

The Englishwoman was part of the winning British team during the 1979 Women’s World Team Squash Championships and runner-up in the 1981 Women’s World Team Squash Championships.

Olatunji wins 2018 Zimbabwe Safeguard Squash Open Championship

yemisi olatunji(centre with her trophy), Busayo Oltunji(right), Idowu Enimakure(left)-Male runner up

Yemisi Olatunji Nigeria’s number one female squash player, continued her surge to the top of the game when she beat her sister, Busayo Olatunji (3-1) Majors to win the women’s final of the Safeguard Zimbabwe Open Squash Tourney, which ended in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe at the weekend.

The championship, which featured players from South Africa, Zambia, Swaziland, Nigeria and host country, Zimbabwe’s male and female teams, was organised to develop and expose African stars.

The Nigerian contingent could not come out victorious in the male category, as Idowu Enimakure was beaten in the third place game to finish fourth in the category, just as the men also settled for third place in the doubles event.


Speaking with the Victor on arrival from Bulawayo, Yemisi Olatunji noted that her victory was based on hard work and determination to excel at every given opportunity.

“Squash players need more sponsors to excel. The Zimbabwe championship is another avenue to expose squash players in the country. If the private sector and government at the state and federal levels assist in sponsoring squash, Nigeria would be among the best in the world,” she said.

A total prize worth $5000 was given out to participants, who distinguished themselves at the championship, which started on August 3.

EXCLUSIVE: Idowu Enimakure sends words of Appreciation to Sponsors

Still basking in the euphoria of the just concluded Zimbabwe SAFEGUARD Squash Open, the only runner up from Nigeria in the male category-Idowu Enimakure sends his sincere gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to his sponsors.
Click on links below to watch some of his featured highlights from our YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

shakiru matti(left), idowu Enimakure(centre)

*Mr Emmanuel Ibru
*Mr Femi Adeyemo
*Mr Shakiru Matti (of Shakiru Matti Squash academy-Canada)
*Captain Dayo Awobokun
*Tunde Akintaylor

idowu enimakure (left),  yemisi olatunji(center, winner female category)

MESSAGE FROM IDOWU ENIMAKURE: I thank God for the gift of life and the successful tourney and I really appreciate the sponsors for been there for me always, without them my tourney wouldn't have been possible.
Mr Shakiru Matti for his cares supports and lot of training programs & words of encouragement which makes my game more super. I also congratulate him for his success " player from his academy in Ecuador ranked 7th position  in the world for the just concluded U-17 world junior open. He has been the icon in Nigeria and more success to come sir.

No 7 World ranking U-17 Girls;Maria Paula Moya Lopez(LEFT; from Ecuador) student of Shakiru Matti Squash Academy 

Also I appreciate Mr Moshood Abubakar for the coaches, cares, encouragement and lot f corrections on my game. I appreciate everybody in one way or the other that support me and encouraged me. Coach Bola magaji for training programs, skills training and inspection, Coach Elba, coach Tinu and rest squash players. Most appreciation goes to my team mate yemisi Olatunji, Busayo Olatunji, Lanre and Onas. Yemisi is indeed a teacher, coach, captain and she is such an inspiration to the team. I dedicate my trophy to all my sponsors!!

Captioned clip from Zim Squash Open 1YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Captioned clip from Zim Squash Open 2 YOUTUBE CHANNEL

MAIN DRAW RELEASED FOR ALEXANDRIA INTERNATIONAL

The main draw for next month’s Alexandria International Squash Open has been released today, with Egyptian duo Ali Farag and Marwan ElShorbagy seeded to meet in the final of the PSA World Tour Gold event, which will take place at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina between September 17-21.

Farag, the current World No.2, is seeded on the same side of the draw as 2016 World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad and Peru’s World No.11 Diego Elias, both of whom will play each other in a mouthwatering quarter-finals fixture.

Farag receives a bye into the second round and will take on either England’s Declan James or tournament wildcard Omar El Torkey for a place in the last eight.

Alexandria-born ElShorbagy is seeded to meet World No.4 Tarek Momen in the semi-finals but must first navigate a draw that contains the likes of Scotland’s Greg Lobban and compatriot Mohamed Abouelghar.

The Alexandria International will be only the second PSA World Tour Gold tournament to take place under the new PSA tour structure, meaning that qualification has been scrapped and a 24-man draw will battle it out for the $103,000 prize fund, with the top eight seeds receiving a bye into the second round.

The opening round of fixtures will be held at the Alexandria Sporting Club, while round two matches will be split between the club and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. All matches from the quarter-finals onwards will be staged at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

Main Draw – 2018 Alexandria International Squash Open

[1] Ali Farag (EGY) (bye)

[WC] Omar El Torkey (EGY) v [9/16] Declan James (ENG)

[9/16] Tom Richards (ENG) v Chris Simpson (ENG)

[8] Daryl Selby (ENG) (bye)

[5] Diego Elias (PER) (bye)

Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) v [9/16] Zahed Salem (EGY)

[9/16] Mazen Hesham (EGY) v Karim Ali Fathi (EGY)

[4] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) (bye)

[3] Tarek Momen (EGY) (bye)

Ben Coleman (ENG) v [9/16] Cesar Salazar (MEX)

[9/16] Borja Golan (ESP) v Arturo Salazar (MEX)

[7] Omar Mosaad (EGY) (bye)

[6] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) (bye)

Alan Clyne (SCO) v [9/16] Gregoire Marche (FRA)

[9/16] Greg Lobban (SCO) v Adrian Waller (ENG)

[2] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) (bye)

CREDIT:PSA World Tour News

Fitz-Gerald & Davenport lead Australian World Masters Gold haul

Australia emerged with six gold medals in the WSF World Masters in the USA state of Virginia – where Men’s O60 champion Geoffrey Davenport claimed a record-equalling sixth World Masters title and Women’s O45 champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald extended her remarkable unbeaten international record since 2001!

More than 750 players from a record 63 nations competed in the 15th edition of the biennial World Squash Federation staged at the McArthur Squash Center at the Boar’s Head Sports Club in Charlottesville – featuring 19 men’s and women’s events in categories ranging from Over-35 to Over-80.

Players from Australia headed the gold medal table, followed by England with five, Canada and hosts USA two, and single golds won by Netherlands, South Africa, Ireland and Cayman Islands.


After first winning World Masters gold in the O45 event in 2003 in Finland – then claiming his fifth in the O55 championship in Hong Kong in 2014 – 60-year-old Geoffrey Davenport (pictured above) was making his debut in the O60 event in Charlottesville. The top seed from Sydney breezed through to the final without dropping a game, then despatched surprise opponent Juan Mendez, an unseeded player from Mexico, 11-5, 11-5, 11-2.

Former world number one Sarah Fitz-Gerald enjoyed a distinguished career on the professional circuit where she won a then record five World Open titles. A firm favourite to defend her World Masters O45 title, the 49-year-old from Melbourne did so in some style – seeing off fellow countrywoman Susan Davis in the final 11-5, 11-4, 11-3.

The title is Fitz-Gerald’s third World O45 in a row, and follows three British Open Masters titles, a World Masters Games trophy and a World Masters O35 gold medal. The latest success also extends her winning run in all international events to 17 years – after suffering her most recent defeat in August 2001 in the semi-finals of the Hong Kong Open – to NZ rival Leilani Joyce!


“I love this sport, I’ve been playing since I was a kid,” said Fitz-Gerald, now a WSF Vice President (pictured above with Championship Director Mark Allen), after collecting her latest gold medal. “Just because I’m old and retired doesn’t mean I can’t keep playing. I still have the fire burning inside, and I think all of the old pros here still have that fire burning inside and want to see what they can do. As we all know we may get a little bit older and slower, but the game is still there. When you see the former pros reach the finals in this tournament, it’s a combination of knowledge and practicing our skills to keep ourselves up there.

“I’ve met so many extraordinary people spending a lifetime in this sport, and it’s so nice to be able to give back to it. All the former pros that are here are here because they love it, and hopefully everyone else has enjoyed watching them play.”

Is there a secret to her success? “My history, experience and knowledge is worth 50% in a match, even before the physical side kicks in as a factor. I love the event, the friendships and team spirit between nations, and just love playing.

“No surprise that I have the next World Masters in Poland and the World Masters Games in Japan in my diary.”

Distinguished former professional Brett Martin also provided gold medal success for Australia. Seeded four in the Men’s O55 event, the former world No.2 followed his upset over the top seed in the semis to beat compatriot Peter Gilbee 11-7, 12-10, 11-3 in the final.


“World champion always sounds good if your name is next to it, even if you’re older, slower, greyer and fatter, world champion is world champion,” Martin said. “It’s been great to travel here and catch up with so many people I haven’t seen in years. It’s fun playing in front of a crowd again, I haven’t played on a glass court in a long time, it was a bit of a strange experience. Thankfully all of the other guys had a little bit less experience than me.

“Thanks to everyone for coming out and shaking my hand, saying they followed my career. I’ve been out of squash for a long time, but I still enjoy getting in front of people and trying to perform for them. Hopefully you’ve learned a few things and maybe it’s opened your eyes to what’s possible on court, even at our age. You can always learn something, it’s just a matter of getting out there and trying. Anyone can do it, it’s just a matter of determination.”

All five of England’s champions were seeded to win their respective titles, including Nick Taylor (pictured below with fellow medallists) retaining the Men’s O45 title and Ann Manley retaining the Women’s O70 title. After losing in the O35 final in Johannesburg two years ago, Lauren Briggs coasted to her first World Masters title against compatriot Selina Sinclair.


The eldest age group, Men’s O80, saw England’s top seed Lance Kinder come back from a game down against USA’s Ed Burlingame to win his first World Masters title. Jill Campion, winner of a U.S. nationals title, rounded out the English champions in an all-English O60 final to win her first World Masters title.

Team USA’s Natalie Grainger ended the day on a high note for the home crowd, maintaining her unbeaten World Masters record with a second consecutive title-her first in the O40 division.

Northern neighbours Canada matched USA’s total of two World Masters champions: Men’s O75 fifth seed Howard Armitage thwarted second seed Gerald Poulton‘s title hopes in a five-game final. Lauren Wagner became the lowest-seeded champion by completing her surprise women’s O50 title run with an upset over Australian top seed Sarah Nelson.

MO35
[1] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt [2] Alister Walker (BOT) 11-7, 11-5, 7-11, 11-2
Third place play-off:
[5] Alejandro Garbi Caro (ESP) bt [3] Wael El Hindi (USA) 11-3, 11-8, 11-2
WO35
[1] Lauren Briggs (ENG) bt [2] Selina Sinclair (ENG) 11-2, 11-2, 11-4
Third place play-off:
[6] Reka Burmeister (ENG) bt [5] Margaret Gerety (USA) w/o
MO40
[1] Liam Kenny (IRL) bt [3] Patrick Chifunda (ZAM) 11-7, 11-4, 11-4
Third place play-off:
[5] Craig Ruane (RSA) bt [15] Wai Chung Wong (HKG) 10-12, 11-8, 11-6, 11-2
WO40
[1] Natalie Grainger (USA) bt [2] Melissa Martin (AUS) 9-11, 11-2, 11-8, 11-4
Third place play-off:
[4] Samantha Herbert (RSA) bt [3] Jacqueline Ryder (RSA) 11-6, 11-5, 11-9
MO45
[1] Nick Taylor (ENG) bt [2] Zuko Kubukeli (RSA) 11-2, 11-6, 11-4
Third place play-off:
[3] Adrian Hansen (RSA) bt [12] Galen le Cheminant (USA) 11-9, 11-4, 5-11, 11-9
WO45
[1] Sarah Fitz-Gerald (AUS) bt [3] Susan Davis (AUS) 11-5, 11-4, 11-3
Third place play-off:
[4] Karen Meakins (BAR) bt [2] Rachel Calver (ENG) 11-9, 11-1, 11-7
MO50
[1] Michael Tootill (RSA) bt [2] Hansi Wiens (GER) 12-14, 8-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-9
Third place play-off:
[3] David Sly (CAN) bt [13] Sean Ryan (AUS) 11-8, 11-9, 11-9
WO50
[15] Lauren Wagner (CAN) bt [1] Sarah Nelson (AUS) 11-7, 11-8, 11-5
Third place play-off:
[3] Hope Prockop (USA) bt [5] Wendy Ansdell (ENG) 11-4, 11-1, 11-4
MO55
[4] Brett Martin (AUS) bt [3] Peter Gilbee (AUS) 11-7, 12-10, 11-3
Third place play-off:
[2] Fredrik Johnson (SWE) bt [1] Willie Hosey (IRL) 11-5, 12-10, 11-6
WO55
[1] Susan Hillier (AUS) bt [3] Mandy Akin (ENG) 11-7, 11-5, 11-4
Third place play-off:
[2] Fiona McLean (SCO) bt [4] Sue Williams (AUS) 9-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-7
MO60
[1] Geoffrey Davenport (AUS) bt Juan Mendez (MEX) 11-5, 11-5, 11-2
Third place play-off:
[4] Pierr Roodt (RSA) bt [2] Jeremy Goulding (ENG) 11-7, 11-9, 9-11, 10-12, 11-9
WO60
[1] Jill Campion (ENG) bt [2] Karen Hume (ENG) 5-11, 12-10, 4-11, 11-9, 11-5
Third place play-off:
Shirley Whitmore (RSA) bt Maureen Duke (IRL) 11-6, 11-2, 11-5
MO65
[1] John Macrury (CAY) bt [6] Mario Raponi (CAN) 11-2, 11-6, 11-6
Third place play-off:
[10] John Carroll (AUS) bt [4] Wayne Weatherhead (CAN) 11-7, 9-11, 12-10, 11-7
WO65
[3] Gaye Mitchell (AUS) bt [1] Laura Ramsay (CAN) 11-8, 11-7, 11-7
Third place play-off:
Yvonne Trotter (AUS) bt [2] Faith Sinclair (SCO) 11-4, 11-7, 7-11, 12-14, 11-6
MO70
[1] Brian Cook (AUS) bt [3] Ian Ross (SCO) 11-1, 7-11, 7-11, 11-6, 12-10
Third place play-off:
[7] Frikkie Bester (RSA) bt [5] Aubrey Waddy (ENG) 11-7, 9-11, 6-11, 12-10, 11-2
WO70
[1] Ann Manley (ENG) bt [6] Margaret Hunt-Kemp (RSA) 11-9, 6-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6
Third place play-off:
[4] Marilyn Kennedy (AUS) bt [2] Robyn Prentice (AUS) 11-4, 6-11, 6-11, 13-11, 11-5
MO75
[5] Howard Armitage (CAN) bt [2] Gerald Poulton (CAN) 7-11, 11-5, 9-11, 15-13, 11-8
Third place play-off:
[8] Michael Gough (USA) bt [3] John Nelson (USA) 10-12, 8-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8
WO75
Winner: [5] Joyce Davenport (USA); Runner-up [1] Jean Grainger (RSA)
MO80
[1] Lance Kinder (ENG) bt [3] Edward Burlingame (USA) 5-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-2
Third place play-off:
[2] Barry Gardiner (NZL) bt [4] Stanley Fanaroff (RSA) w/o

CREDIT:WSF World Squash News

Main Draw Released for Alexandria International

The main draw for next month’s Alexandria International Squash Open has been released today, with Egyptian duo Ali Farag and Marwan ElShorbagy seeded to meet in the final of the PSA World Tour Gold event, which will take place at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina between September 17-21.

Farag, the current World No.2, is seeded on the same side of the draw as 2016 World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad and Peru’s World No.11 Diego Elias, both of whom will play each other in a mouthwatering quarter-finals fixture.

Farag receives a bye into the second round and will take on either England’s Declan James or tournament wildcard Omar El Torkey for a place in the last eight.

Alexandria-born ElShorbagy is seeded to meet World No.4 Tarek Momen in the semi-finals but must first navigate a draw that contains the likes of Scotland’s Greg Lobban and compatriot Mohamed Abouelghar.

The Alexandria International will be only the second PSA World Tour Gold tournament to take place under the new PSA tour structure, meaning that qualification has been scrapped and a 24-man draw will battle it out for the $103,000 prize fund, with the top eight seeds receiving a bye into the second round.

The opening round of fixtures will be held at the Alexandria Sporting Club, while round two matches will be split between the club and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. All matches from the quarter-finals onwards will be staged at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

Main Draw – 2018 Alexandria International Squash Open
[1] Ali Farag (EGY) (bye)
[WC] Omar El Torkey (EGY) v [9/16] Declan James (ENG)
[9/16] Tom Richards (ENG) v Chris Simpson (ENG)
[8] Daryl Selby (ENG) (bye)
[5] Diego Elias (PER) (bye)
Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) v [9/16] Zahed Salem (EGY)
[9/16] Mazen Hesham (EGY) v Karim Ali Fathi (EGY)
[4] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) (bye)
[3] Tarek Momen (EGY) (bye)
Ben Coleman (ENG) v [9/16] Cesar Salazar (MEX)
[9/16] Borja Golan (ESP) v Arturo Salazar (MEX)
[7] Omar Mosaad (EGY) (bye)
[6] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) (bye)
Alan Clyne (SCO) v [9/16] Gregoire Marche (FRA)
[9/16] Greg Lobban (SCO) v Adrian Waller (ENG)
[2] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) (bye)

CREDIT:PSA World Tour News

Pakistan squash players rise in rankings

Pakistan’s junior and senior squash players improved their international rankings, with three juniors breaking into top-10 in under-17. According to junior rankings released by World Squash Federation (WSF) on Friday, in the under-17 category, Abbas Zeb is ranked third, while Uzair Shaukat and Haris Qasim are ranked fifth and sixth, respectively.
Zeeshan Zeb achieved the 31st ranking position and Shahab Khan is ranked 38th, while Asadullah Khan is ranked 66th.In the under-19 category, Kashif Asif is ranked seventh and Abbas Zeb is ranked eighth, while Haris Iqbal is ranked 18th. Mansoor Zaman achieved the 21st place.

Naveed Rehman is ranked 30th and Haris Qasim 36th, while Uzair Shaukat and Mohammad Uzair achieved 45th and 67th spots, respectively. According to the seniors’ ranking released by Professional Squash Association (PSA) for August, Tayyab Aslam rose to the 71st place from 95th. Asim Khan retained the 88th place. Farhan Mehboob jumped from 94th to 89th position. Farhan Zaman jumped to 91st spot from 104th place. Ahsan Ayaz is ranked 98th.

Syrian refugees chase squash dreams

Squash Dreamers teammates Sabah Husryeh, front, and Eman Hassan compete in the Hong Kong Junior Squash Tournament on Thursday.

As three young Syrian squash players enthusiastically pound the courts in Hong Kong, they are clearly enjoying their first-ever international tournament.

The girls, aged between 11 and 13, are part of a new team called Squash Dreamers made up of displaced Syrian youngsters who were forced to flee their war-torn homeland.

Even after their matches in the five-day Hong Kong Junior Tournament are over, they head back to the practice courts for more.

“It’s not that important whether I win or not, I just like playing games,” 13-year-old Raghda Husryeh said, adding that she hopes to become a squash coach.

The girls are among more than 330,000 Syrian children estimated by the UN to have fled across the border to neighboring Jordan since conflict broke out in 2011.

Husryeh and her family escaped the bombs and bullets in their battered hometown of Homs five years ago, before gradually making their way to safety abroad.

Squash Dreamers, a US non-governmental organization based in Jordan, set up the 15-strong team of displaced girls from Syria over the past two years.

On the team’s debut international tournament in Hong Kong, three of the girls are to take on teams from around the region, including Taiwan and Malaysia, as part of the event that features an official competition plus friendlies.

Although they have been knocked out of the official contest, they are taking the next few days of friendly matches seriously.

Squash has never been mainstream in Syria, but is popular in some parts of the Middle East, especially Egypt, and major tournaments are hosted in places like Qatar.

Team coach Reem Niaz, herself a refugee from Damascus, said the game was playing a role in helping the young women rebuild their lives.

“The sport is helping them a lot as refugees, because it’s not forbidden to them or inaccessible to them. They can just be like anybody else and play,” Niaz said.

Playing their first tournament abroad is also a big step.

“[There is] a sense of national pride. The team feel like they are part of the world,” Niaz said, adding that it helped them retain a connection with their home country.

The girls have also grown in confidence in the past two years, Squash Dreamers vice president Rachel Lee said.

“They started to realize their own strength. That’s the biggest thing that they’ve been developing — physical strength and mental strength,” she added.

Zim Open Squash Championship Final Result from Bulawayo

 TEAM NIGERIA, YEMISI OLATUNJI-2018 FEMALE CHAMPION

POLITE Mubure recorded the biggest surprise on the opening day of the Safeguard Zimbabwe Open Squash Championship at Suburbs Squash Club in Bulawayo on Friday when she dumped second seed Busayo Olatunji 3-0 in the women’s section. 

ZIMBABWE SAFEGUARD SQUASH TOURNEY FINAL RESULT

Olanrewaju Yusuf - Finished 14.

Onaopemipo Adegoke-Finished 7th.

Enimakure Garba-Finished 4th.

Busayo Olatunji played against Yemisi Olatunji in the finals

Yemisi won the ladies title again beating Busayo 3 -1

Safeguard Zimbabwe Squash Open Championships Finals

Results

Men

Christos Potgieter(SA) 3 Kundanji Kalengo(Zambia) 0

YEMISI OLATUNJI RECEIVING HER TROPHY

Ladies

Yemisi Olatunji( Nigeria) 3 

Busayo Olatunji(Nigeria) 1

Doubles

Mike Burns and Neil Nesbitt(Zimbabwe) 1

Christos Potgieter and Jimmy Schebusch(SA) 3

Veterans 

Paul Chanda(Zambia) 3

Felix Chilufya(Zambia) 1

HOW IT ALL WENT FROM THE QUARTER FINAL STAGE

The 15-year old Mubure of Girls High School in Harare went into the tournament seeded seventh but proved too good for the 19-year old Olatunji who was the second best female in the tournament. 

Polite is the young sister of Ishmael and Yvonne Mubure. 

In the semifinals to be played on Saturday, top seed Yemisi Olatunji of Nigeria is up against fourth seeded Sharon Chimfembwe of Zambia while the Mubure sisters clash in the other last four fixtures. 

In the men’s draw, there were no upsets with top seed Olanrewaju Abulrahaman of Nigeria, second seed Manda Chilambwe of Zambia, Nigerian Sodiq Taiwo, Zimbabwean Admire Magwaza and Frank Wabo of Zambia all going through to the quarterfinals set for Saturday.

For the veterans, only five old-timers entered which saw them played a round robin with the best two players progressing through to the final. Sixteen doubles pairs entered this year’s competition. 

A new men’s champion will be crowned on Sunday after South African Christo Potgieter, last year’s winner did not come to defend due to national commitments. Potgieter beat his compatriot Jimmy Schlebusch in last year’s finals with the two South Africans combining to overpower the local duo of Neil Nesbitt and Mike Burns in the doubles final. 

With the two youngsters absent, Burns and Nesbitt are back as favourites to lift the title. Prior to being dethroned by Potgieter and Schlebusch, Burns and Nesbitt had won the doubles since 2004 when the Zimbabwe Open Squash Championship was revived by the Matabeleland Squash Association.

Prizes remain the same as in previous years, with $1 000 in store for the men’s winner and $750 for the women’s champion. The doubles prize money is $500 and $300 and will go to the best veteran.

Minister of Sport and Recreation Makhosini Hlongwane will be the guest of honour during Sunday’s final day of action and is expected to hand out prizes to the winners. 

Australia, England & Canada lead charge into World Masters Finals

After 35 semi-finals in the WSF World Masters Squash Championships in Virginia, USA, it was Australia that emerged in front of the pack with a tournament-leading nine finalists, followed closely by England with eight – while Canadians won four out of six last four matches at the McArthur Squash Center in Charlottesville.

The day opened with mixed results for the host nation. Gerald Poulton, Canada’s Men’s O75 No.2 seed, augmented his recent winning record against North American rival John Nelson, dispatching the U.S. national title record-holder in three games to reach his second career World Masters final. Canada is guaranteed the Men’s O75 title after fifth seed Howard Armitage defeated Team USA’s Michael Gough in three games.

Team USA’s first breakthrough came when Joyce Davenport, the fifth seed in the Women’s O75 event, upset South African favourite Jean Grainger, the 2014 World O70 champion, in four games. Both players entered the match with a 3/0 record in the six-player round robin, and now Davenport just needs to defeat Slovenia’s sixth seed Mariza Ohlsson to clinch what would be her second World Masters title.


“Jean was the key person to beat in the tournament,” Davenport (pictured above) said after the win. “She’s a good player, and adjusted pretty well during the match. If she hadn’t adjusted so well I could have gotten through in three, but she got better as the match went on, improving her length and serves. I had some opportunities in the third and fourth, but I couldn’t take them-including a match point. I can have one drink tonight, but probably just one.”

Davenport won the O50 World Masters title in the 1992 event in Vancouver. Grainger and Davenport share a long history together, not just in squash but also tennis.

“I was actually hosted by her family in England for a few weeks when I was eighteen years old,” Davenport said. “Her mother was the nicest hostess I’ve ever had in all my years playing squash and tennis, she was the loveliest woman. I told her that before the match. We also have both played Wimbledon and U.S. Open tennis, so we have some history and parallels.”

As the day progressed, Australia, England and Canada laid down their marks. Australia’s success was led by five-time World Open champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald, bidding to win a third successive Women’s O45 title. The nation’s further successes came from women’s O50 top seed Sarah Nelson, Women’s O55 favourite Susan Hillier, Men’s O55 top seed Geoffrey Davenport and Men’s O70 top seed Brian Cook. The Aussies produced four results that upset the seedings to reach finals, including Women’s O65 No.3 seed Gaye Mitchell upsetting the second seed Faith Sinclair – and, in the Men’s O55 semis, fourth seed Brett Martin upsetting top seed Willie Hosey and third seed Peter Gilbee overcoming No.2 seed Fredrik Johnson.

England are guaranteed at least two World Masters titles on finals day, with all-English finals slated for the Women’s O35, featuring Lauren Briggs and Selina Sinclair, and O60, featuring Jill Campion and Karen Hume. England will also field two other top seeds including defending Men’s O45 champion Nick Taylor and defending women’s O70 champion Ann Manley.


The most dramatic match of the day came in the Men’s O60 semis between England’s No.2 seed Jeremy Goulding and unseeded Mexican Juan Mendez, a former hardball singles professional. Mendez fought off two match balls in the fifth game to win the match 12-10 in front of a roaring audience. Mendez (pictured above) is the only unseeded player in the tournament to reach a final, where he will face Australia’s Davenport.

Other lone nation representatives in the finals include Botswana’s Alister Walker (MO35), Dutchman Laurens Jan Anjema (MO35), Ireland’s Liam Kenny (MO40), Germany’s Hansi Wiens (MO50), John Macrury of the Cayman Islands (MO60) and Scotland’s Ian Ross (MO70).

Team USA ended the day as it started – with mixed fortunes. Women’s O50 No.3 seed Hope Prockop lost out against Canada’s 15th seed Lauren Wagner, who continued her unexpected run to the finals with a three-game upset over the American. Natalie Grainger followed on court by maintaining her unbeaten World Masters record in a decisive three-game victory to reach a second consecutive final.

The last match of the day featured Team USA’s Patrick Chifunda, who heads the squash program at the Country Club of Virginia in nearby Richmond. The former Zambian advanced to the men’s O40 final after a three-game win against Hong Kong’s surprise semi-finalist Wai Chung Wong.


“It feels very good to reach the final, I’ve worked really hard training for this event,” Chifunda (pictured above in semi-final action) said. “When I played in South Africa two years ago I fell short in the semi-finals, so I was very disappointed. I’m thrilled to reach the finals here near Richmond and on American soil. Words can’t even describe this facility, it’s amazing. Playing on this glass court is a treat-a true joy-and to play in front of my home crowd makes it even better.”

Chifunda and Kenny will contest the last World Masters final on the glass court Saturday in front of a full-capacity gallery.

“I’m just looking forward to having a very good, strong match against Liam tomorrow,” Chifunda said. “We played each other once before on the PSA, so I’m looking forward to playing him now that we’re old. I want to thank the guys at my club, Jose and Steven O’Dwyer, and most importantly my wife who has allowed me to train while taking care of our baby. I’m really excited for tomorrow.”

Semi-Finals:

M35
[1] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) 3-0 [5] Alejandro Garbi (ESP) 11-6, 11-0, 11-4 (34m)
[2] Alister Walker (BOT) 3-0 [3] Wael El Hindi (USA) 11-9, 11-7, 11-4 (36m)
W35
[1] Lauren Briggs (ENG) 3-0 [5] Margaret Gerety (USA) 11-5, 11-1, 11-1 (18m)
[2] Selina Sinclair (ENG) 3-0 [6] Reka Burmeister (ENG) 11-8, 11-5, 11-3 (20m)
M40
[1] Liam Kenny (IRL) 3-0 [5] Craig Ruane (RSA) 11-4, 11-8, 11-3 (27m)
[3] Patrick Chifunda (USA) 3-0 [15] Wai Chung Wong (HKG) 11-3, 13-11, 11-5 (25m)
W40
[1] Natalie Grainger (USA) 3-0 [4] Samantha Herbert (RSA) 11-4, 11-3, 11-0 (18m)
[2] Melissa Martin (AUS) 3-0 [3] Jacqueline Ryder (RSA) 11-6, 11-2, 11-9 (18m)
M45
[1] Nick Taylor (ENG) 3-0 [12] Galen le Cheminant (USA) 11-4, 11-4, 11-9 (27m)
[2] Zuko Kubukeli (RSA) 3-0 [3] Adrian Hansen (RSA) 11-7, 5-11, 12-10, 11-7 (46m)
W45
[1] Sarah Fitz-Gerald (AUS) 3-0 [4] Karen Meakins (BAR) 11-9, 11-3, 11-2 (15m)
[3] Susan Davis (AUS) 3-1 [2] Rachel Calver (ENG) 11-7, 7-11, 11-2, 12-10 (26m)
M50
[1] Michael Tootill (RSA) 3-0 [13] Sean Ryan (AUS) 11-5, 11-8, 11-7 (22m)
[2] Hansi Wiens (GER) 3-0 [3] David Sly (CAN) 11-8, 11-5, 11-3 (17m)
W50
[1] Sarah Nelson (AUS) 3-0 [5] Wendy Ansdell (ENG) 11-5, 11-9, 11-2 (17m)
[15] Lauren Wagner (CAN) 3-0 [3] Hope Prockop (USA) 11-5, 11-9, 15-13 (25m)
M55
[4] Brett Martin (AUS) 3-0 [1] Willie Hosey (IRL) 11-9, 11-2, 11-9 (20m)
[3] Peter Gilbee (AUS) 3-0 [2] Fredrik Johnson (SWE) 13-11, 12-10, 6-11, 11-8 (31m)
W55
[1] Susan Hillier (AUS) 3-0 [4] Sue Williams (AUS) 11-6, 11-5, 11-5 (19m)
[3] Mandy Akin (ENG) 3-1 [2] Fiona McLean (SCO) 11-6, 10-12, 11-2, 11-9 (26m)
M60
[1] Geoffrey Davenport (AUS) 3-0 [4] Pierr Roodt (RSA) 16-14, 11-7, 13-11
Juan Mendez (MEX) 3-2 [2] Jeremy Goulding (ENG) 11-4, 11-8, 4-11, 4-11, 12-10
W60
[1] Jill Campion (ENG) 3-0 Maureen Duke (IRL) 9-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-8 (24m)
[2] Karen Hume (ENG) bt Shirley Whitmore (RSA) 14-12, 11-6, 11-2 (18m)
M65
[1] John Macrury (CAY) 3-0 [4] Wayne Weatherhead (CAN) 11-5, 13-11, 11-5 (22m)
[6] Mario Raponi (CAN) bt [10] John Carroll (AUS) 11-9, 11-6, 12-10 (19m)
W65
[1] Laura Ramsay (CAN) 3-1 Yvonne Trotter (AUS) 11-5, 2-11, 11-1, 11-8 (28m)
[3] Gaye Mitchell (AUS) 3-0 [2] Faith Sinclair (SCO) 11-2, 11-3, 11-4 (13m)
M70
[1] Brian Cook (AUS) 3-0 [5] Aubrey Waddy (ENG) 11-9, 11-7, 11-7 (18m)
[3] Ian Ross (SCO) 3-1 [7] Frikkie Bester (RSA) 11-9, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6 (31m)
W70
[1] Ann Manley (ENG) 3-1 [4] Marilyn Kennedy (AUS) 11-5, 11-9, 10-12, 11-5 (29m)
[6] Margaret Hunt-Kemp (RSA) 3-0 [2] Robyn Prentice (AUS) 11-4, 13-11, 11-7 (16m)
M75
[5] Howard Armitage (CAN) 3-0 [8] Michael Gough (USA) 11-4, 11-6, 11-5
[2] Gerald Poulton (CAN) 3-0 [3] John Nelson (USA) 11-6, 11-8, 11-9 (17m)
W75 (’round robin’ match)
[5] Joyce Davenport (USA) 3-1 [1] Jean Grainger (RSA) 11-8, 11-3, 11-13, 13-11 (25m)
M80
[1] Lance Kinder (ENG) 3-2 [4] Stanley Fanaroff (RSA) 11-7, 10-12, 11-7, 10-12, 11-4
[3] Edward Burlingame (USA) 3-1 [2] Barry Gardiner (NZL) 10-12, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9

World Masters set for Pivotal Semi-Finals

After more than 750 players from a record 63 nations got the 2018 WSF World Masters Squash Championships underway in Virginia, USA, at the beginning of the week, the World Squash Federation event will reach the semi-finals stage on Friday as players do battle for places in the finals.
The 15th edition of the biennial championships – but the first to be held in the USA – is taking place at the McArthur Squash Center at the Boar’s Head Sports Club in Charlottesville, with 19 men’s and women’s events in categories ranging from Over-35 to Over-80.

Seventeen World Masters main draws are down to the last four ahead of a pivotal slate of semifinals Friday at the McArthur Squash Center in Charlottesville, Virginia.

With Nations Cup permutations on the line, Australia leads the field with sixteen semifinalists, followed by England and South Africa with eleven, Team USA at ten and Canada at six.

Most divisions have played out according to seeding with three or four of the top seeds progressing to the semis.

The biggest upset of the quarterfinal round came in the men’s 75+ division, where American Michael Gough dispatched England’s top seed and defending champion Adrian Wright in five games. Gough won the 2014 75+ title in Hong Kong and is seeking his second World Masters title in his fourth appearance.

England also lost a pair of second seeds with Ian Graham (M65) and Barry Featherstone (M70) losing out to Australian John Carroll and South African Frikkie Bester.


Australia’s five-time World Open champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald comfortably moved through to her anticipated place in the Women’s O45 semi-finals. The WSF Vice-President [pictured above at the Opening Ceremony with (L to R) Dent Wilkens of US Squash and Tim Rose of the University of Virginia Foundation], who is seeded to win the title for a third successive time, faces Karen Meakins, from Barbados, for a place in the final.

The women’s 75+ title may be decided Friday morning when South Africa’s Jean Grainger and Team USA’s Joyce Davenport face each other at 9am ET. Both players have a 3-0 record in the six-player round robin with one match remaining on Saturday.

image
The men’s 75+ semifinals will stage a perennial U.S. nationals rivalry between Jay Nelson, who holds the U.S. record of twenty-nine masters titles, and Canadian Gerry Poulton. Nelson and Poulton have faced off eight times over the past decade, the last six of which were in U.S. National Singles finals. Poulton has won four of the past six match ups, including the 2018 U.S. 75+ final this spring. Nelson will be hoping to reach his first World Masters final in his tournament debut.

The women’s 35+ semifinals fields another first-time American participant in the form of Margaret Gerety. Gerety heads the squash program at Squash on Fire in nearby Washington, DC. The former Harvard player upset Canada’s Leah Boody in a five-game quarterfinal, and faces England’s top seed Lauren Briggs in Friday’s semis.

image
“It’s exciting to be here,” Gerety said. “There’s so much depth and the level of play is really impressive—all the way up to the 80’s,” Gerety said. “There’s been a great energy and spirit from everyone this week. It’s so nice to connect with both American and international players that I haven’t seen in years and make new friends. It’s such a great community.”

Follow the semis on STREAMING and LIVE SCORES

Quarter-Final Results
M35
[1] Laurens Jan Anjema (Ned) 3-0 [5/8] Gavin Jones (Usa)      11-4, 11-3, 11-4
[5/8] Alejandro Garbi (Esp) 3-0 [3/4] Clinton Leeuw (Rsa)          11-6, 11-5, 11-0
[3/4] Wael El Hindi (Usa) 3-0 [5/8] Ben Garner (Eng)                  11-6, 11-6, 11-4
[2] Alister Walker (Bot) 3-0   [5/8] Gary Wheadon (Rsa)            11-6, 11-9, 11-6 
W35
[1] Lauren Briggs (Eng) 3-0 Vanessa Steinwall (Can)                  11-1, 11-6, 11-1
Margaret Gerety (Usa) 3-2 [3/4] Leah Boody (Can)   11-7, 7-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-7
Reka Burmeister (Eng) 3-1 [3/4] Zhenzhen Wu (Chn)     11-13, 11-9, 11-6, 12-10
[2] Selina Sinclair (Eng) 3-0 Sophie Joubarne (Can)                   11-2, 11-4, 11-4
M40
[1] Liam Kenny (Irl) 3-1 [5/8] Matt Bishop (Can)            10-12, 11-2, 11-4, 11-4
[5/8] Craig Ruane (Rsa) 3-2 [3/4] Lazarus Chilufya (Usa)  11-8, 4-11, 3-11, 1-7, 11-6
[3/4] Patrick Chifunda (Zam) 3-0 Paul Allen (Eng)                   11-9, 7-1 rtd
Wai Chung Wong (Hkg) 3-1  Tatu Murronmaa (Fin)       11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 11-7
W40
[1] Natalie Grainger (Usa) 3-0 Karen Schultz (Rsa)             11-6, 11-6, 11-2
[3/4] Samantha Herbert (Rsa) 3-0  Melanie Moore (Nor)      11-5, 11-4, 11-5
[3/4] Jacqueline Ryder (Rsa) 3-1 [5/8] Wendy Maitland Jones (Sco)   7-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-6
[2] Melissa Martin (Aus) 3-1   [5/8] Anlen Murray (Rsa)     6-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-6
M45
[1] Nick Taylor (Eng) 3-0 [5/8] Tim Garner (Eng)                    11-3, 11-3, 11-8
Galen le Cheminant (Usa) 3-1 Evan Mancer (Can)    9-11, 11-7, 14-12, 11-3
[3/4] Adrian Hansen (Rsa) 3-0 Nick Staunton (Irl)                 11-7, 11-4, 11-5
[2] Zuko Kubukeli (Rsa) 3-0 Jose Elias (Per)                      11-6, 12-10, 11-6
W45
[1] Sarah Fitz-Gerald (Aus) 3-0 Melania Kreisel (Ger)      11-3, 11-3, 11-6
[3/4] Karen Meakins (Bar) 3-0   Nina Janisch (Ger)          11-5, 11-5, 11-3
[3/4] Susan Davis (Aus) 3-0 Janet Byrnes (Rsa)            11-9, 11-6, 12-10
[2] Rachel Calver (Eng) 3-2 Kelly Wellings (Eng)   12-10, 11-5, 6-11, 4-11, 11-5
M50
[1] Mike Toothill (Rsa) 3-0 Carlos Mendes (Por)             11-9, 11-3, 11-5
Sean Ryan (Aus) 3-0 Aashish Kamat (Usa)                    11-6, 11-8, 11-3
[3/4] David Sly (Can) 3-0 Richard Elliott (Usa)                11-8, 11-3, 11-7
[2] Hansi Weins (Ger) 3-0 [5/8] Steve Wren (Can)         11-6, 11-4, 11-4
W50
[1] Sarah Nelson (Aus) 3-0 [5/8] Helen Barnard (Wal)          11-6, 11-5, 11-5
Wendy Andsell (Usa) 3-1 Leslie Cameron (Usa)     8-11, 11-6, 12-10, 16-14
[3/4] Hope Prockop (Usa) 3-0 Julie Springer-Aass (Can)     11-3, 11-8, 11-6
Lauren Wagner (Can) 3-1 [5/8] Katrina Cross (Aus)   11-1, 11-3, 6-11, 11-7
M55
[1] Willie Hosey (Irl) 3-2 [5/8] Trevor Wilkinson (Rsa)  4-11, 13-11, 9-11, 7-11, 11-5
[5/8] Brett Martin (Aus)  3-0 [3/4] Dominic Hughes (Usa)     11-7, 11-6, 11-4
[3/4] Peter Gilbee (Aus) 3-0 [5/8] Eamonn Price (Eng)   12-10, 11-4, 11-9
[2] Fredrik Johnson (Swe) 3-0 Mark Sealy (Bar)         11-4, 11-9, 11-9
W55
[1] Susan Hillier (Aus) 3-0 Jackie Gregory (Eng)        11-5, 11-1, 11-4
[3/4] Sue Williams (Aus) 3-1 [5/8] Julie Multamaki (Can)   12-10, 11-4, 6-11, 11-9
[3/4] Mandy Akin (Eng) 3-0 [5/8] Pippa Green (Eng)        11-6, 11-5, 11-9
[2] Fiona McLean (Sco) 3-0 [5/8] Beth Ann Fedorowich (Usa)   11-5, 12-10, 11-5
M60
[1] Geoff Davenport (Aus) 3-0 Steve Baicker-Mckee (Usa  )  11-2, 11-7, 11-7
[3/4] Pierr Roodt (Rsa) 3-1 Jim Mobbs (Aus)               9-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-2
Juan Mendez (Mex) 3-0 [3/4] Udo Kahl (Ger)                       11-7, 11-4, 11-9
[2] Jeremy Goulding (Eng) 3-0 Sergio Orduna (Sui)         11-5, 12-10, 11-1
W60
[1] Jill Campion (Eng) 3-0 Diana Roper (Can)                      11-4, 11-2, 11-4
Maureen Duke (Irl)  3-2 Marisa Zavattaro (Aus) 10-12, 18-16, 8-11, 12-10, 11-8
Shirley Whitmore (Rsa) 3-0 Jane Law (Eng)                        11-2, 12-10, 11-9
[2] Karen Hume (Eng) 3-0 [5/8] Lynne Davies (Wal)            11-7, 11-3, 11-3
M65
[1] John Macrury (Cay) 3-1 [5/8] Wayne Seebeck (Nzl)   11-4, 10-12, 11-4, 11-5
[3/4] Wayne Weatherhead (Can) 3-0 Ian Smith (Can)                 4-5 rtd
[5/8] Mario Raponi (Can) 3-0 [3/4] Robert Jan Anjema (Ned)  11-6, 11-9, 11-5
John Carroll (Aus) 3-0 [2] Ian Graham (Eng)                           11-1, 11-9, 11-6
W65
[1] Laura Ramsay (Can) 3-1 Sue Wastie (Eng)       10-12, 11-2, 11-5, 11-2
Yvonne Trotter (Aus) 3-0 Marjorie Barnett (Nzl)                  11-5, 11-2, 11-3
[3/4] Gaye Mitchell (Aus) 3-1 Denise Kyme (Ber)     6-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-6
[2] Faith Sinclair (Sco) 3-1 Maureen Carroll (Sco)  8-11, 13-11, 19-17, 11-7
M70
[1] Brian Cook (Aus) 3-0 [5/8] Claudio Hassler (Sui)             11-4, 11-5, 11-5
[5/8] Aubrey Waddy (Eng) 3-0 [3/4] Bert Kornyei (Usa)        11-8, 11-4, 11-6
[3/4] Ian Ross (Sco) 3-1 [5/8] Jack Halford (Eng)      11-5, 12-14, 11-2, 11-3
[5/8] Frikkie Bester (Rsa) 3-2 [2] Barry Featherstone (Eng) 4-11, 11-8, 11-4, 14-16, 11-4
W70
[1] Ann Manley (Eng) 3-0 Sheena Worwood (Rsa)               11-7, 11-9, 11-3
[3/4] Marilyn Kennedy (Aus) 3-0 Averil Murphy (Eng)              11-4, 15-13, 11-9
Margaret Hunt-Kemp (Rsa) 3-1 [3/4] Bett Dryhurst (Eng) 4-11, 11-8, 11-9, 13-11
[2] Robyn Prentice (Aus) 3-0 Christine McIntyre (Aus)               11-6, 11-5, 11-7
M75
[5/8] Michael Gough (Usa) 3-2 [1] Adrian Wright (Eng)     11-6, 11-7, 6-11, 5-11, 11-4
[5/8] Howard Armitage (Can) 3-2 [¾] Desmond Sacco (Rsa) 9-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-2
[¾] John Nelson (Usa) 3-0 [5/8] Voon Chan (Can)       11-5, 11-2, 11-3
[2] Gerry Poulton (Can) 3-0 [5/8] Tom Slattery (Aus)       11-8, 11-5, 11-6
W75   Round Robin of 6
Unbeaten so far Joyce Davenport and Jean Grainger (3 wins out of 3)
M80
[1] Lance Kinder (Eng) 3-0 John Prichard (Aus)                11-8, 11-8, 11-9
[3/4] Stanley Fanaross (Rsa) 3-1 Geoff Peppiatt (Usa)   7-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-6
[3/4] Edward Burlingame (Usa) 3-1 Robert Pirie (Usa)   11-3, 9-11, 11-6, 11-5
[2] Barry Gardiner (Nzl) 3-0 Mike Barnard (Fra)                       11-4, 11-4, 11-5

Egyptians & Malaysians share top spots in new World Junior Rankings

Players from Egypt and Malaysia share the No.1 positions in the inaugural WSF & PSA World Junior Rankings revealed today by the World Squash Federation and Professional Squash Association.

The August U19 rankings are headed by Egyptians – Cairo 17-year-old Mostafa Asal topping the men’s list after title success in last month’s WSF World Junior Championships in Chennai, India, and Hania El Hammamy, also 17 and from Cairo, taking the No.1 position in the women’s list after a second successive finish as runner-up in the Women’s World Junior Championship.


Both players have already made their mark on the PSA Tour – Asal winning three Tour titles in South America in May and El Hammamy securing her second Tour title last October at the Granite Open in Canada.

Malaysia’s Danial Nurhaqiem tops the new men’s U17 rankings. The 16-year-old from Kuala Lumpur reached the second round of the men’s World Junior Championship – and went on to remain undefeated for Malaysia in the team event.


Already with four PSA Tour titles to her name, Malaysian Aifa Azman heads the women’s U17 list. The 16-year-old from Kedah won the Malaysian U19 Junior Open last month and in January clinched the British Junior U17 Open title.