Carol Weymuller Open Marks 40th Year
by Howard Harding

1 October 2013 - The world's top women squash players head for New York this week to celebrate the 40th staging of the Carol Weymuller Open, one of the longest-established events on the Women's Squash Association World Tour.

Hosted at the Heights Casino in Brooklyn, the WSA Gold 50 event has attracted seven of the world's top 10 players, led by Malaysia's world number one Nicol David - and gets underway on Wednesday following two days of qualifying.

2005 champion David arrives in New York fresh from winning the 67th Tour title of her career at last month's Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur. However, this week the 30-year-old from Penang will be keen to make amends for a shock quarter-final exit in New York last year to English qualifier Alison Waters.

Now the fourth seed, Waters begins her 2013 Carol Weymuller campaign in the opposite half of the draw from David - and faces France's world No12 Camille Serme in the first round, whilst the Malaysian takes on Australia's world No18 Donna Urquhart.

English interest at Heights Casino will be led by second seed Laura Massaro, the title-holder. The world No2 from Preston - one of four Carol Weymuller champions in the draw - begins the defence of her title against a qualifier before an anticipated showdown with David in Sunday's final.

Heights Casino Head Coach Linda Elriani can't wait for the 2013 event to get underway: "I feel so lucky to have the chance to run the Carol Weymuller again and still be involved in professional women's squash but just in a different capacity," said the former world No3 and three-time Carol Weymuller Open finalist.

"It's so great to see the more experienced players come back year after year and it's also fun to see the younger players that are coming through from different countries. We have 14 countries being presented here which continues to show the diversity we have in squash.

"It's fantastic that the Heights Casino has been so committed to women's squash over the years and that we have made it through to the 40th year with the prize money steadily rising!!

"We have a fantastically strong draw and everyone here at the Heights Casino is so excited to watch everyone compete. Good luck to all the WSA players and thanks in advance for inspiring all our juniors and parents alike. In six days' time we'll know who will be the champion of the 40th Carol Weymuller Open!"

1st round draw:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v Donna Urquhart (AUS)
[8] Kasey Brown (AUS) v Dipika Pallikal (IND)
[3] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) v Qualifier
[5] Joelle King (NZL) v Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY)
[7] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) v Qualifier
[4] Alison Waters (ENG) v Camille Serme (FRA)
[6] Low Wee Wern (MAS) v Qualifier
[2] Laura Massaro (ENG) v Qualifier