Perry Aims For Fifth In Dublin
by Gina Menzies for Squashsite365
April 16, 2012 - Madeline Perry, currently ranked 4 in the world will be seeking her fifth Irish Open squash title in the Cannon Kirk tournament to be held in Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club from 25-28th April.
But Perry may not have it all her own way. Last year’s winner, 18 year old Egyptian Nour El Tayeb is in the draw at no 5. Last year’s final produced a world record for a women’s competitive match, lasting over 90 minutes, with El Tayeb coming back from 2 games down to win 16/14 in the final game against New Zealand’s, Jaclyn Hawkes. Jaclyn is seeded three above El Tayeb this time around.
The no 2 spot falls to England’s Laura Massaro, currently at a career high of 3 in the world. Madeline has a 3/2 record against Massaro so an enthralling week is in prospect.
Ireland has another high ranking woman in the draw. Sligo’s Aisling Blake ranked 26 in the world has drawn the toughest first round match against the championship holder, El Tayeb.
Alister Walker, World no 18 from Botswana, heads the men’s draw: one of the few players to have a victory against world champion, Amr Shabana in 2009. Alister subsequently reached a career high of 12 .
Ireland’s Arthur Gaskin makes the main draw. He has just won his first challenger tournament in Doha, Qatar, where he played 6 matches in 3 days and overcame the number 1 seed, Ammar Al- Tamini, ranked 100 places above Arthur in the semi-final.
In his way will be no 2 seed, and former winner of the Irish Open (2006) and frequent visitor to the event, World no 21 Borja Golan from Spain.
The Tournament takes place in Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club, Appian Way, Dublin 6. Main draw commences Wednesday 25th April, entry free to all rounds, finals on Saturday 28th April, women’s 4.00pm, followed by men’s. It is sponsored by Cannon Kirk Homes, Prize money for each event is $25,000.
Back To Main
