2015 NetSuite Open To Begin With Bitter Rivalry by Nathan Clarke July 22, 2015 -
One of the most intense grudges in squash history will be rekindled
this September during the opening round of the 2015 NetSuite Open, PSA
M100 tournament, when three-time World Champion Nick Matthew will lock
horns will long-term domestic rival James Willstrop for the first time
since the final of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in what promises to be a
blistering encounter.
The duo, separated by just three years in age and thirty miles
geographically in their home county of Yorkshire, have maintained an
acrimonious relationship since first clashing in 2001 with Willstrop
going as far as citing his rival as ‘pretentious and vicious’ during a
15-year rivalry that has produced some of the most memorable matches in
the history of squash.
Fans in San Francisco will be hoping to witness the latest installment
of their epic saga when they meet in a mouthwatering first round
match-up and with both men holding the World No.1 ranking in recent
years they are certain to deliver a high-quality encounter.
“The draw for this year’s NetSuite Open is the strongest in the
tournament’s history and nowhere is that more epitomised than in a
first round clash between two of the greatest players we’ve seen in
recent years in the form of Nick and James,” said NetSuite Open
promoter John Nimick.
“The English pair have lit up squash courts around the world with
gruelling and compelling battles and squash fans on the West Coast are
in for a real treat when these two meet again here because neither man
will give an inch to the other.
“With such a high-class encounter headlining the opening day and with a
plethora of other recent world number ones seeded to clash throughout
the event, I believe we’re in for a special tournament in September.”
Such a challenging opening encounter will make Matthew’s task of living
up to his number one seeding a daunting one while his main title
contenders such as current World Champion Ramy Ashour and defending
NetSuite title holder Gregory Gaultier will begin their campaigns
against yet-to-be-confirmed qualifiers.
Both men will be hoping to avoid drawing unpredictably talented
Egyptian shot-maker Mazen Hesham, the 24-year-old who tops the
qualification draw, while World Junior Champion Diego Elias, who won
silver during the recent PanAmerican Games, will also be a name to
watch during the qualification campaign.
2015 NetSuite Open PSA M100 - First Round Draw:
[1] Nick Matthew (ENG) v James Willstrop (ENG)
[WC] Mike Lewis (USA) v [5] Simon Rösner (GER)
[6] Peter Barker (ENG) v Cameron Pilley (AUS)
[Qualifier] v [3] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
[4] Ramy Ashour (EGY) v [Qualifier]
[Qualifier] v [8] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)
[7] Amr Shabana (EGY) v Nicolas Mueller (SUI)
[Qualifier] v [2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
2015 NetSuite Open PSA M100 - Qualification Entry List:
Mazen Hesham (EGY)
Alister Walker (BOT)
Tom Richards (ENG)
Cesar Salazar (MEX)
Gregoire Marche (FRA)
Alan Clyne (SCO)
Laurens Jan Anjema (NED)
Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)
Adrian Grant (ENG)
Ali Farag (EGY)
Diego Elias (PER)
Raphael Kandra (GER)
Charlie Johnson (ENG)
Gabriel Morgan (USA)
Julian Illingworth (USA)
Chris Hanson (USA)
The 2015 NetSuite Open takes place at Justin Herman Plaza, San
Francisco, with tickets for the tournament priced from $40 and
available to purchase by visiting http://netsuiteopensquash.tix.com
