Nicol David Set For Sixth British Open Title Run by Howard Harding 10 March 2015
- Malaysia's Nicol David is seeded to win her sixth British Open title
in Hull later this year according to the women's draw for the 2015
Allam British Open Squash Championships which was announced today.
The WSA World Series event will take place at the Yorkshire city's
Airco Arena from 11-17 May, with players from 46 countries competing in
both the men's and women's championships.
Hull City FC owner Dr Allam, who recently extended his sponsorship of
the prestigious tournament for a further three years, has been
instrumental in leading the way for squash on the global stage with his
ongoing sponsorship and commitment to equal prize money for men and
women by 2017.
"I am delighted to welcome the world's best squash players back to Hull
to compete for the Allam British Open title," said Dr Allam today.
"Squash is a great passion of mine and to bring these amazing athletes
from all corners of the globe to the UK, and particularly Hull East
Yorkshire, is an enormous pleasure.
"I look forward to watching some great matches, seeing the best of both
men and woman in action, and seeing new talent coming through - all
competing for this world-famous title."
Nicol David, who earlier this year became the longest-reigning world
number one of all-time, is expected to reach her eighth British Open
final since 2005 and defend the title she won for the fifth time last
year in Hull.
The 31-year-old from Penang is due to face a qualifier in the opening
round - and faces the prospect of a semi-final battle with local
favourite Laura Massaro in a repeat of the 2013 and 2014 finals.
It was two years ago that Massaro, now ranked three in the world, won
the title to become first English winner of the women's trophy since
1991!
It is Raneem El Welily that is expected to meet David in the 2015
final. The world No.2 from Egypt is enjoying the best run of her career
- and earlier this month celebrated her fourth successive WSA Tour
final appearance by beating David to win the WSA World Series Windy
City Open title.
The 2015 British Open welcomes back two of WSA's biggest names: Natalie
Grinham, the former world No.2 from the Netherlands who was runner-up
in 2005, will make her first appearance since 2013 following the birth
of her second child last July.
Joelle King, the former world No.4 from New Zealand, will be playing
her first WSA Tour match since last year's British Open after rupturing
her Achilles tendon in the NZ national championship final last August.
Rising English star Fiona Moverley, who hails from Hull, has been
guaranteed a place in the qualifying draw: "I'm beyond excited to be
involved in such a huge event in my home city," said the 28-year-old
world No.81. "I didn't play in the previous two years so to actually be
playing in 2015 means the world to me. I'm hoping I can put on a good
show in front of a passionate local crowd."
1st round draw:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v Qualifier
[15] Emma Beddoes (ENG) v Natalie Grinham (NED)
[14] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) v Salma Hany Ibrahim (EGY)
[7] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) v Qualifier
[3] Laura Massaro (ENG) v Joshana Chinappa (IND)
[9] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) v Qualifier
[11] Joelle King (NZL) v Qualifier
[8] Low Wee Wern (MAS) v Nouran Gohar (EGY)
[6] Camille Serme (FRA) v Joey Chan (HKG)
[10] Dipika Pallikal (IND) v Emily Whitlock (ENG)
[16] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) v Qualifier
[4] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v Heba El Torky (EGY)
[5] Alison Waters (ENG) v Qualifier
[12] Annie Au (HKG) v Nicolette Fernandes (GUY)
[13] Rachael Grinham (AUS) v Qualifier
[2] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v Qualifier
