Breathtaking Action Awaits At Windy City Open by Nathan Clarke January 25, 2017
- The 2017 Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners &
EquiTrust Life Insurance Company looks set to be the most dramatic
instalment of the PSA World Series tournament to date after the
official draw, released today (Jan 24), pitted some of the biggest
names in squash against each other in a firework fuelled first round.
The World Rankings are certain to be shook up with matchups like World
No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy facing the in-form Paul Coll, Ali Farag taking
on Miguel Angel Rodriguez, Mohamed Abouelghar playing Mathieu Castagnet
and the headline encounter between former World No.1s James Willstrop
and Ramy Ashour, who met during the 2014 Windy City Open in one of the
most entertaining matches in tournament history.
In the Women's draw, a repeat of the dramatic Tournament of Champions
encounter between Nicole David and Nour El Sherbini is seeded to be
renewed in a quarter-final stage that could also see Raneem El Welily
play Amanda Sobhy and Laura Massaro face Nouran Gohar.
All of which promises to deliver a week of enthralling action inside
the Cathedral Hall at the University Club of Chicago where the action
takes place from February 23 - March 1.
"We've been treated to a feast of world class squash throughout the
past few years and the strength of the draws across both the Men’s and
Women’s tournaments this year is testament to just how competitive the
PSA World Tour is at present," said Tournament Director John Flanigan.
"Our unique venue in Cathedral Hall at the University Club of Chicago
has produced some thrilling and memorable matches and this year looks
certain to be no exception, with some mouthwatering encounters to look
out for from day one.
"Guggenheim Partners, who return for the fourth year, and EquiTrust
Life Insurance Company make it possible for us to host this world class
professional event and we’re delighted to be working with both partners
again in 2017 to bring the world's best players to the Chicago squash
community.”
First Round Draw - 2017 Men's Windy City Open
[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) v Paul Coll (NZL)
Omar Mosaad (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Cameron Pilley (AUS) v Stephen Coppinger (RSA)
[Qualifier] v [6] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY)
[7] Ali Farag (EGY) v Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
Saurav Ghosal (IND) v Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)
Simon Rösner (GER) v [WC] Chris Hanson (USA)
[Qualifier] v [4] Nick Matthew (ENG)
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v [Qualifier]
Daryl Selby (ENG) v [Qualifier]
Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) v Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)
James Willstrop (ENG) v [5] Ramy Ashour (EGY)
[8] Tarek Momen (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Borja Golan (ESP) v Max Lee (HKG)
Fares Dessouky (EGY) v [Qualifier]
[Qualifier] v [2] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
First Round Draw - 2017 Women's Windy City Open
[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v [Qualifier]
[Qualifier] v [16] Victoria Lust (ENG)
[14] Emily Whitlock (ENG) v Line Hansen (DEN)
[Qualifier] v [7] Nicol David (MAS)
[8] Alison Waters (ENG) v Liu Tsz-Ling (HKG)
[Qualifier] v [9] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY)
[15] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) v Tesni Evans (WAL)
Heba El Torky (EGY) v [4] Camille Serme (FRA)
[3] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v Joey Chan (HKG)
[Qualifier] v [12] Annie Au (HKG)
[13] Joshna Chinappa (IND) v [WC] Olivia Blatchford (USA)
[Qualifier] v [6] Amanda Sobhy (USA)
[5] Laura Massaro (ENG) v Mariam Metwally (EGY)
[Qualifier] v [10] Joelle King (NZL)
[11] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) v Donna Urquhart (AUS)
[Qualifier] v [2] Nouran Gohar (EGY)
