Houston Hosts Champion Fiberglass Texas Open Gold by Howard Harding 7 April 2014
- One of the longest-established events on the Women's Squash
Association World Tour celebrates Gold for the first time in Houston
this week when the Champion Fiberglass Texas Open opens its doors to 11
of the world's top 20 women at The Downtown Club at the Met in the
USA's fourth largest city from 8-13 April.
The 2014 WSA Gold 50
championship marks the 13th staging of the event which has alternated
between Dallas and Houston each year since its launch in 2002.
Malaysia's world No7
Low Wee Wern is seeded to win the title for the first time - but will
face stiff competition from three former champions, including
title-holder Madeline Perry, the world No8 from Ireland; France's
Camille Serme, the 2012 champion now ranked six in the world; and
Australia's former world number one Rachael Grinham, the champion in
2004 and 2011 who made her Texas Open debut in the inaugural event in
2002.
Home hopes will be led
by New York's Amanda Sobhy, the 20-year-old Harvard University student
who celebrates a career-high world No15 ranking this month.
"Having a Gold level,
the first time here, is a tribute how much squash has grown in the last
two years in this city," said John Leavy, President of the Houston
Squash Racquets Association, the championship hosts. "The sponsors have
gotten together and decided to show off how much they want this sport
to match the exciting growth of Houston.
"Taking over the HSRA
one and a half years ago, I received 1-2 mails, or calls monthly, about
where to play squash and how newcomers could get involved. That number
is up to between 12-15 monthly with questions about our squash
community.
"The HSRA, along with
our long-time partner Champion Fiberglass, is excited to see the talent
we have been able to attract this year.
"Not only many
veterans that have played here before - such as Camille Serme 2012's
winner here - but also Madeline Perry, 2013's winner in Dallas.
"Returning is Rachael
Grinham and Kasey Brown, and Donna Urquhart. But also the ladies
knocking on the top players door such as Low Wee Wern, Sarah-Jane
Perry, and especially Nour El Sherbini, a surprise at the recent
Worlds," added Leavy.
"All players will be
treated to entrance to the US Clay Court Tennis Championships, a
wonderful Wednesday night party at one of the sponsor beautiful homes,
swag bags with many goodies, and a "special" tournament treat!
"The HSRA is ready to
show off to the world how we can put on a show equalled to other top
cities. Streaming video will be available starting April 10th hosted by
www.livestream.com Please tune in, or stop by, to see some exciting
sport being played."
1st round draw: [2] Madeline Perry (IRL) v Qualifier [6] Kasey Brown (AUS) v Qualifier [4] Dipika Pallikal (IND) v Qualifier [5] Annie Au (HKG) v Nicolette Fernandes (GUY) [8] Rachael Grinham (AUS) v Joshana Chinappa (IND) [3] Camille Serme (FRA) v Amanda Sobhy (USA) [7] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) v Qualifier [1] Low Wee Wern (MAS) v Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
