Matthew, Willstrop To Continue Battle For Number One Slot At Canary Wharf
by James Fattal
February 13, 2012 - Having retaken the World No.1 spot from his fellow Yorkshireman in February, Nick Matthew has been seeded to meet national rival James Willstrop at the Canary Wharf Classic final on March 23rd, a rematch of the weekend’s National Championships where Matthew took the domestic title to add to his current World Championship crown.
The Canary Wharf Classic is headed for another sell-out as the ever-popular international showpiece once again sees the sport’s top players go head to head at the impressive glass East Wintergarden in London’s premier business district from March 19th to 23rd.
Four of the PSA Tour’s top Egyptian players will join three other nations to add an international flavour to the draw as Matthew returns to London to bid for a third consecutive event title after winning the last two finals against England team-mate Peter Barker last year and French ace Gregory Gaultier before that.
Peter Nicol, former World Champion and Co-Director at event promoter Eventis, said: “The main focus in professional squash is on the astonishing competition between the two Englishmen at the top of the world rankings.
“James won three tournaments back to back at the end of 2011 to reach the world number one position for the first time in his career, but Nick beat him in the final of the Tournament of Champions in New York to return to the top in the February rankings.
“I’m expecting another great event with some fantastic match-ups and the great crowd support we seem to get year after year. And what better place for the battles to take place than on our custom glass court in the all-glass East Wintergarden setting!”
World number eight Mohamed El Shorbagy and his younger brother Marwan, both world junior champions, lead the Egyptian entourage, whilst German number one Simon Rosner and top Indian player Saurav Ghosal carry the hopes of their respective nations.
Tickets for the 2012 Canary Wharf Classic cost from £15 and are available from Ticketmaster.
www.ticketmaster.co.uk / 0844 8472419
The qualifying competition takes place at Wimbledon Racquets and Fitness Club on March 17-18 with four winners joining the top 12 seeds in the main draw.
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