British Open Pre-Qualification Events Set To Be Hotly Contested
by Scarlett Smith
April 20, 2013 - Following on from the success of last year’s Allam British Open Squash Championships, England Squash & Racketball are once again staging four pre-qualifying events. In the true spirit of an ‘Open Championships’ the British Open is being taken back to its roots and rekindling the prospect that absolutely any player, professional or amateur could win this historic Championship.
This year see’s the pre qualification expanded nationally with The University of Hull, The Northern Squash Club Didsbury, Solihull Arden Squash Club and The Connaught Club all playing host to a Pre Qualifying event running on 27-28 April.
The University of Hull freshly kitted out with 5 new glass back courts will be holding a Men’s Pre Qualification with Eddie Charlton (Nottinghamshire) world number 73 seeded favourite, looking to meet him in the final is top under 19 junior Taminder Gata Aura (Yorkshire).
The Northern Squash Club Didsbury will be running a Men’s and Women’s event and will see their own Head Coach, Andrew Whipp (Cheshire) top the seedings. Adam Murrills (Cheshire) takes the 2nd seeded position with England juniors Matt Sidaway (Lancashire) and Bradley Smith (Lancashire) in the mix looking to cause an upset. The Women’s draw is headed by Amina Helal (Lancashire), she is likely to come up against Kirsty West (Cheshire) in the final.
Solihull Arden Squash Club will see Joel Hinds (Derbyshire) top the Men’s seedings, also in the hunt will be Chris Fuller (Northants) and Leicestershire brothers George and Luke Parker. Rhianne O’Donnell (Somerset) looks set to claim the Women’s spot but will be challenged by Mari Taylor (Leicestershire) and Libby Corke (Warwickshire).
World number 72 Robbie Temple (Gloucestershire) will look to claim a spot at The Connaught Club as he takes the top seeding but will surely have his work cut out against former European Junior Champion Anthony Graham (Gloucestershire) who he is seeded to meet in the finals. The Women’s event will see Essex County Champion Keeley Taylor as favourite and she will likely face her county compatriot Phillipa Neller (Essex) in the final.
Chris Nutley, Allam British Open Tournament Director commented; “The reintroduction of pre qualification has given an opportunity for all squash players around the country to participate in the Allam British Open. Come the 17 May, 8 pre-qualification winners will be taking their place amongst the PSA and WSA players of the world tour in a bid to compete alongside the likes of Nick Matthew, Ramy Ashour and Nicol David in the oldest and most prestigious event on the world calendar.
All events will start at midday on Saturday with the semi finals and finals scheduled for the Sunday afternoon. All spectators are welcomed free of charge.
To view the full draw visit: www.britishopensquash.net/2013-pre-qualifying-events
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