Top Seed Matthew Chasing Sixth Canary Wharf Classic Crown by Nathan Clarke
photo PSA
January 24, 2017 -
Three-time World Champion Nick Matthew will be aiming to make it six of
the best when he returns to the 2017 Canary Wharf Squash Classic as the
top seed in a draw that will see players from 10 countries come
together to compete for the PSA M70 title in London's stunning East
Wintergarden venue from March 6-10.
The 36-year-old World No.4 will be aiming to add to his glittering haul
of silverware - which includes three British Opens, three World
Championships and two Commonwealth Games Singles Gold Medals - when the
14th edition of the Canary Wharf Classic gets underway, where he'll
also hope to regain the crown he won in 2015 by defeating Germany's
Simon Rösner - this year's number 4 seed.
Matthew will be seeded to meet World No.6 Marwan ElShorbagy in the
finale, with the 23-year-old number two seed leading a trio of Egyptian
stars alongside Fares Dessouky and 2016 runner-up Omar Mosaad - the
hard-hitting 'Hammer of Thor'.
After downing Mosaad 3-1 to claim the 2016 title, the biggest of his
career last year, Frenchman Mathieu Castagnet returns to defend the
championship crown as the number six seed.
There will be big Antipodean interest in the tournament as well with
2008 runner-up Cameron Pilley, the 2016 World Series Final runner-up,
and the in-from Ryan Cuskelly flying the Australian flag while New
Zealander Paul Coll will be making a popular return after announcing
his arrival on the big stage in a dramatic encounter with James
Willstrop last year.
In one stupendous rally, Coll dived across the court three times to win
the point, with the video highlight of that rally attracting millions
of hits online and fully encompassing the drama, skill and athleticism
of squash at the highest level. Coll powered his way into the world top
20 after winning the Channel VAS Open at Weybridge in December and he
began 2017 in fine style by reaching his first World Series
quarter-final in New York so will be a dark horse for the title.
Veteran duo Daryl Selby, the popular number seven seed, and passionate
Spaniard star Borja Golan, number eight seed, complete the list of
seeded players while Lyell Fuller will hope to impress as the
tournament wildcard.
2017 Canary Wharf Classic - Confirmed Entrants
#1 Nick Matthew (ENG)
#2 Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY)
#3 Omar Mosaad (EGY)
#4 Simon Rösner (GER)
#5 Fares Dessouky (EGY)
#6 Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)
#7 Daryl Selby (ENG)
#8 Borja Golan (ESP)
#9 Cameron Pilley (AUS)
#10 Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)
#11 Paul Coll (NZL)
WC Lyell Fuller (ENG)
