Top seed James Willstrop

Willstrop Is Top Seed In Richmond

17 February 2012

James Willstrop, the Englishman who became world number one in January, is top seed in a PSA World Series event for the first time in his career at next week’s Davenport North American Open, presented by Brown’s Jaguar, the second World Series event of the year at The Westwood Club in Richmond, Virginia, from 20-25 February.

Willstrop leads a star-studded field featuring six former world number ones and five former champions of the event which is being staged in Virginia for the fourth year in a row.

The 28-year-old from Leeds – who has been combining preparation for the event with the launch of his book Shot and a Ghost – is expected to meet fellow Yorkshiremen Nick Matthew in next Saturday’s final.

Matthew, the world No1 throughout 2011 who reclaimed his top ranking this month, successfully retained the NAO title last year and is now looking to win it for a third time in a row.

The English pair contested last month’s final of the JP Morgan Tournament of Champions – the first PSA World Series event of the year in New York – with Matthew clinching the title for the first time.

Willstrop will begin his Richmond campaign against Switzerland’s Nicolas Mueller, while Matthew faces Colombian Miguel Angel Rodriguez in the first round.

The 2012 North American Open will signal the long-awaited Tour return of Ramy Ashour, the 24-year-old Egyptian who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since December.

Ashour, the No4 seed, finished as runner-up to Matthew in both the 2010 and 2011 finals – but this year is scheduled to face the world No1 in the semi-finals. Ashour, the 2009 champion, will take on a qualifier in the first round.

Mohd Azlan Iskandar, the Malaysian who became the event’s eighth seed on the withdrawal of England’s Peter Barkerwith a knee injury, won the title in 2007 in San Francisco. A quarter-finalist last year, Iskandar meets a qualifier in the opening round.

Qualifying gets underway tomorrow (Saturday) – see draw below

Main draw 1st round:
[1] James Willstrop (ENG) v Nicolas Mueller (SUI)
Thierry Lincou (FRA) v Patrick Chifunda (ZAM)
Hisham Mohamed Ashour (EGY) v Adrian Grant (ENG)
[6] Amr Shabana (EGY) v Qualifier
[8] Mohd Azlan Iskandar (MAS) v Qualifier
Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) v Qualifier
Saurav Ghosal (IND) v Shahier Razik (CAN)
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v Qualifier
[4] Ramy Ashour (EGY) v Qualifier
Cameron Pilley (AUS) v Qualifier
Alan Clyne (SCO) v Qualifier
[5] Karim Darwish (EGY) v Qualifier
[7] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) v Alister Walker (BOT)
Simon Rosner (GER) v Chris Ryder (ENG)
Olli Tuominen (FIN) v Julian Illingworth (USA)
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) v Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)

1st qualifying round:
Martin Knight (NZL) bye
Matthew Karwalski (AUS) v John Street (USA)
Shawn Delierre (CAN) v Andrew Wagih Shoukry (EGY)
Gregoire Marche (FRA) v Sean Steinour (USA)
Siddharth Suchde (IND) v Yasir Butt (PAK)
Kamran Khan (MAS) v Yann Perrin (FRA)
Chris Simpson (ENG) v Fred Reid (CAN)
Zac Alexander (AUS) bye
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bye
Adrian Waller (ENG) v Francis Johnson (USA)
Cesar Salazar (MEX) v Christopher Gordon (USA)
Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) v Julien Balbo (FRA)
Jan Koukal (CZE) v Ryan Donegan (USA)
Campbell Grayson (NZL) v Joey Barrington (ENG)
Robbie Temple (ENG) v Olivier Pett (ENG)
Omar Abdel Aziz (EGY) bye

For all the latest Tour news: www.psaworldtour.com

Peter Barker has bene forced to pull out of the NAO. Picture by JORDAN MANSFIELD

Number six seed Peter Barker is out of the North American Open, which starts on Monday at the Westwood Club in Richmond, Virginia.

His pl;ace in the main draw is taken by fellow Englishman Chris Ryder, our very own Kent Open champion, who was the highest-ranked player in the qualifying competition.

Qualifying starts today (Saturday) at the Country Club of Virginia before moving to the Westwood Club for the finals on Sunday.

Qualifying draw below:

qualification draw 17.2.12 (1)

PlayerInfo_NAO

NAO2012revisedentlist 15.2.12

Saurav Ghosal in action

James Willstrop, the world No. 2 squash player, believes that Indian squash is “buzzing” after two good performances in recent weeks.

Top seed Saurav Ghosal won the Windy City Open at the weekend to secure one of the biggest wins of his PSA career, while India came close to pulling off a remarkable win at the under-21 World Cup in Chennai earlier this month. They lost to Egypt in the final, but attendances over the week left Indian officials with many positives as to the sport’s potential.

Willstrop, who became world No. 1 in January after winning the PSA Masters in Delhi, said: “If Saurav and Dipika Pallikal can succeed, then I predict that squash will be massive in India.

“We saw recently at the Express Avenue Mall in Chennai when Dipika won her match what could happen if the sport is taken to the people.

“India is certainly one of those countries where the sport is buzzing right now. It just needs that little extra to take it to the next level.

“It all depends on the structure of the next generation of players but the appetite seems to be there.”

Willstrop this week launched his new book – A Shot and a Ghost: a year in the brutal world of professional squash — a part diary, part autobiography where he reveals the darker side to constant touring, as well as the highs such as winning silver at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

There are mentions for Ghosal in the book too, with the Leeds-based Indian No 1 a regular training partner with Willstrop at Pontefract Squash Club in Yorkshire.

“He is one of the quickest players on tour,” Willstrop said of Ghosal. “He looks fast as he is smaller in stature than most tour pros. But his little steps make him entertaining to watch. He is lightning quick.

“His racket work has improved immeasurably. He just needs to transfer it to match play and he could change the dynamics of Indian squash.

“But he has time on his side and he can definitely develop. He is a great training partner when we get the time to practise and an all-round nice guy. He deserves his latest success in Chicago that’s for sure.”

Willstrop is drawn to meet Ghosal in the first round of the Canary Wharf Classic on March 20.

Next week, in the Davenport North American Open, Ghosal meets Canadian Shahier Razik in the first round at the Westwood Club in Richmond.

For more on James Willstrop, visit his official website http://www.willstrop.co.uk/.

Duffield Almost Home – With Three PSL Rounds To Go!

Benz-Bavarian Duffield beat University of Birmingham in tonight’s 7th round of the Premier Squash League (PSL) to extend their unbeaten run in the world’s most prestigious squash league this season – and establish an almost unassailable lead at the top of Group A.

It was home wins all round the country – with the Derbyshire club beating Birmingham 4/1 while elsewhere in the GroupCourtcraft Pontefract claimed their first win of the season in a 3/2 victory over Oxford Health & Racquets.

Title-holders Integrity Surrey Health & Racquets maintained their leadership of Group B after beating IGT Winchester 4/1 – but the Croydon club still can’t shake off Exeter Diamonds. Still just five points behind Surrey Health, the Devon team beat Team Chichester 4/1 – while third-placed TWP St George’s Hill slipped further back after only recording a 3/2 win over the hapless UWE Bristol, the Avon side still looking for a first win this season.

There were celebrations even before the battle got underway at Duffield where team number one Nick Matthew was feted for his record-equalling fourth British National Championship title at the weekend. Team stalwarts Joel Hinds,Laurence Delasaux and Andy Whipp quickly ensured a home win – before local heroine Laura Hill squandered a 2/0 lead to hand a consolation win to the opposition’s Welsh international Deon Saffery.

And Matthew did not disappoint, coasting to an 11-5, 11-7, 11-3 win over Birmingham’s Chris Ryder to ensure almost maximum points for the former champions – and a 38-point lead over their nearest rivals.

Oxford Health & Racquets made a good start at Pontefract when Irish star Madeline Perry made up for the disappointment of a semi-final exit at the National Championships in Manchester by beating the Yorkshire hosts’ Vanessa Atkinson in straight games.

But popular home wins by Simon Parke, Lee Beachill and Siddharth Suchde led to celebrations of the club’s maiden PSL win this season – before a tired James Willstrop, runner-up in one of the best Nationals finals ever seen on Sunday, went down in four games to fresh Australian Cameron Pilley.

Comeback queen Alison Waters, runner-up in the women’s nationals in only her first event since undergoing Achilles surgery, led hosts Surrey Health & Racquets to victory with an 11-1, 11-4, 11-3 win in just 19 minutes over Winchester’sLauren Selby.

Daniel West battled to a four-game win over the home team’s experienced Tim Garner to give hope to the visitors – but it was short-lived as Adrian Waller, Simon Rosner and team number one Adrian Grant dropped just one game between them to ensure a sixth win this season for the defending champions.

And despite losing the services of second string Campbell Grayson just hours before the tie (when the Kiwi was refused entry to the country en-route from Finland to New Zealand), Exeter Diamonds quickly restructured the team with the addition of Welsh champion Peter Creed – and set about beating Team Chichester.

Irish international Aisling Blake and James Snell cruised to 3/0 wins for the home side before Creed battled to an 11-7, 14-12, 11-6 win over former Welsh champion Alex Gough to ensure the Exeter victory. But Tim Vail, elevated to Exeter’s No2, went down in an hour to the visitors’ Anthony Graham before the newly-crowned Dutch national champion Laurens Jan Anjema – winner of his seventh successive title in Amsterdam this weekend – beat Robbie Temple 11-9, 11-5, 11-1 to make it 4/1 and keep Exeter in the title race.

St George’s Hill, last season’s runners-up, made a good start against UWE Bristol in their bid to secure a place in the final again this season - Dominique Lloyd-Walter and Charles Sharpes earning straight games victories and top-ranked Hungarian Mark Krajcsak coming through in four to give winning points to the home team.

But Bristol got the upper hand thereafter when Lucas Serme, a Frenchman studying in Bristol, defeated the Weybridge club’s Joe Lee 3/0 and – in a clash described by St George’s team manager Danny Lee as ‘one of the best matches ever seen at the club’ – Egyptian international Mohamed El Shorbagy beat the home team’s top string Daryl Selby 9-11, 13-11, 11-9, 5-11, 15-13 in 65 minutes – saving two match-balls in the dying minutes.

RESULTS: Premier Squash League, 7th round, Tuesday 14 February 2012

Group A:
Benz-Bavarian Duffield 4 University of Birmingham 1
Nick Matthew bt Chris Ryder 11-5, 11-7, 11-3
Joel Hinds bt Jaymie Haycocks 4-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-9
Andy Whipp bt Jonathan Harford 15-13, 11-2, 11-8
Laurence Delasaux bt Nathan Lake 11-2, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6
Laura Hill lost to Deon Saffery 11-4, 11-8, 3-11, 7-11, 10-12

Courtcraft Pontefract 3 Oxford Health & Racquets 2
James Willstrop lost to Cameron Pilley 7-11, 11-9, 3-11, 2-11
Siddharth Suchde bt Scott Handley 11-9, 11-5, 11-9
Lee Beachill bt Mark Cairns 11-9, 11-7, 11-5
Simon Parke bt Andrew Birks 11-6, 11-4, 3-11, 11-4
Vanessa Atkinson lost to Madeline Perry 10-12, 7-11, 7-11

Group B:
Exeter Diamonds 4 Team Chichester 1
Laurens Jan Anjema bt Robbie Temple 11-9, 11-5, 11-1 (45m)
Tim Vail lost to Anthony Graham 2-11, 11-8, 12-14, 9-11 (61m)
Peter Creed bt Alex Gough 11-7, 14-12, 11-6 (39m)
James Snell bt Miles Jenkins 11-6, 11-3, 11-1 (22m)
Aisling Blake bt Lauren Briggs 11-7, 11-7, 11-6 (30m)

TWP St George’s Hill 3 UWE Bristol 2
Daryl Selby lost to Mohamed El Shorbagy 11-9, 11-13, 9-11, 11-5, 13-15 (65m)
Joe Lee lost to Lucas Serme 5-11, 5-11, 6-11
Mark Krajcsak bt Arthur Gaskin 11-2, 14-12, 8-11, 11-7
Charles Sharpes bt Tom Ford 11-8, 11-5, 11-5
Dominique Lloyd-Walter bt Anna Kimberley 11-4, 11-5, 11-5

Integrity Surrey Health & Racquets 4 IGT Winchester 1
Adrian Grant bt Jethro Binns 8-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-3 (33m)
Simon Rosner bt Stacey Ross 11-9, 14-12, 11-6 (32m)
Adrian Waller bt Michael Harris 11-7, 11-6, 11-6 (29m)
Tim Garner lost to Daniel West 9-11, 4-11, 11-2, 8-11 (47m)
Alison Waters bt Lauren Selby 11-1, 11-4, 11-3 (19m)

PSL TABLES (after 7th round)

For all the latest news, visit the official website www.pslsquash.com

Kane Waselenchuk dives for the ball

From the New York Times

By JOHN OTIS

To understand how Kane Waselenchuk became the dominant player in the history of racquetball, one must embrace the teachings of the Bulgarian psychotherapist Georgi Lozanov.

At least, Waselenchuk’s coach thinks so.

No one else seems able to explain how Waselenchuk does it. How he won 137 consecutive matches, demolishing the record of 54 set by Marty Hogan during the 1976-77 season. How he won an unprecedented seven US Open Racquetball Championships. How he has held the sport’s No. 1 ranking since March 2009. Or, simply, how he hits shots that seem to defy physics.

“He developed a way of teaching called Suggestopedia,” Jim Winterton, the coach, said about Lozanov. “In layman’s terms, it says that everybody has the capacity to be a genius, but the traditional education system screws us up. Children play using all their senses and learn all they know before school, and once they get there, it slows dramatically.”

This theory can help explain Waselenchuk’s racquetball prowess, Winterton says, when one considers how Waselenchuk, 30, was groomed at a young age. “There were three things I knew when I first came into this world,” Waselenchuk said. “My mom, my dad and racquetball.”

He grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, where his father first took him to the court when he was 2. The racket was so heavy that Waselenchuk hit his first balls with a makeshift substitute: an empty plastic soda bottle.

In the years afterward, that court became his sanctuary, and his skills were honed in do-it-yourself fashion. Waselenchuk said he was given pointers by his father, but he never had a formal coach until he turned professional — which meant he never had anyone enforcing the idea that there were right and wrong ways to play; never had anyone to impose regimented habits on him, or constrain his creativity.

“Because he taught himself for so long, he got used to inventing brand-new shots, and he still is inventing shots,” Winterton said. “As a traditional coach, I never would have thought of a lot of the things that Kane has. He’s changed my way of thinking.”

Whether he is playing offense or defense, Waselenchuk’s judgment of the court’s geometry would make even Euclid wonder, How did he find that angle? Opponents and fans are left stupefied.

“It’s definitely a risk-reward thing,” Waselenchuk said of the apparent sixth sense he uses to make his jaw-dropping shots. “I’ve been wrong before. Not too many times, though. To be successful in anything, you have to take a certain risk. I’ll let everyone else be the judge of how great the risk is.”

Waselenchuk’s skill has elevated pro racquetball, his peers say, because the younger players who aspire to match him know they must improve.

“He’s doing very unconventional things, and I think many of us are stuck a decade before,” said Charlie Pratt, who is No. 8 in the International Racquetball Tour rankings. “We were all taught this very traditional way of playing. So when Kane brought these different game styles to us, it kind of throws us all off. But we’re all finding ways to compete with him and in turn, that’s making all of us and the sport better.”

Pratt, 25, is also a referee for some tournament matches, which has allowed him to study Waselenchuk from a different perspective through the court’s glass walls.

“I don’t watch anybody else when I’m trying to practice,” Pratt said. “He’s got it all. Older players, who aren’t looking at him as a role model so much as a competitor are asking, ‘What can I do to beat this guy?’ But I’m saying, ‘What can I do to be like this guy?’ ”

Fran Davis coaches Rocky Carson, the longtime No. 2-ranked player behind Waselenchuk. Carson was declared the winner of the New York City Pro-Am final last month on Long Island — the match that ended Waselenchuk’s winning streak. A back injury forced Waselenchuk to forfeit the match.

“People put Kane on a pedestal,” Davis said. “But Rocky and others have got to believe that they are on the same planet and plane as Kane.”

Waselenchuk approached Winterton about coaching him 11 years ago when he became aware of the possible pitfalls of success. He did not want to become complacent.

“I know how this will sound, but Kane knew he was going to beat everybody and be No. 1,” Winterton said. “He needed someone to see flaws in his game when everyone was telling him how great he was.”

Since forfeiting that match last month, Waselenchuk has been undergoing physical therapy for the sprained muscle in his back and missed a tournament in Salt Lake City. Winterton said he hoped Waselenchuk would return Feb. 24 for a tournament in San Diego.

“I don’t think my legacy will be determined by how many matches I’ve won in a row,” Waselenchuk said. “In football, you can be the No. 1 team, go to the Super Bowlundefeated and still lose. For me, racquetball greatness is measured by year-end No. 1 titles.”

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/14/sports/self-taught-racquetball-player-kane-waselenchuk-in-a-class-by-himself.html?_r=4

The superb venue in Chennai

WSF Heartened By World Cup Success

The U21 World Cup has been hailed as a major success by the World Squash Federation – not only for the unveiling of the exciting new dimension of LightPower under-floor lighting beneath the ASB GlassCourt glass floor, but also for the introduction a new mixed team event into the sport.

The new event – based on the successful model of the two-man-one-woman teams in the biennial (senior) WSF World Cup – was staged at the Express Avenue Mall in Chennai, the largest shopping complex in southern India.

The event climaxed in a dramatic and unexpected final between Egypt and India – the top seeds versus the fourth-seeded hosts. Spurred on by an exuberant crowd seated around the all-glass court as well as hanging over balconies stretching three floors above, outsiders India staged a remarkable fight back in the second match to force a decider before ultimately falling to the favourites.

The new court featured an experimental glass floor with a superb new substructure allowing great ‘spring’ and the ability to use different colours and advertising signs under the floor. This exciting new development featured a multitude of LED lights beneath the floor, allowing scores, service boxes, sponsor signs and patterns to be displayed to add to the spectator enjoyment.

“The event showed once again the sheer versatility of squash presentation,” explained WSF President N Ramachandran. “The shopping centre itself attracted a near record attendance of over 75,000 on finals day – a massive crowd exposed to the sport as they passed the central atrium, or overlooked the action from above, or were simply intrigued by the spectacle as they went from floor to floor on the escalators that passed beside the playing arena.

“It was an overwhelming success, not just for squash in India but around the rest of the world,” added Ramachandran. “And a very successful debut for the championship which can only grow as it continues biennially.”

In addition to substantial media coverage in the home nation, all matches were available live on-line and there was television coverage of the final three days at the Express Avenue Mall.

Hein Verbruggen, President of SportAccord and an Honorary IOC Member, was a special guest at the championship. “I’m very pleasantly surprised for your federation,” said Mr Verbruggen after watching the final. “It was a breathtaking final – probably the best you could possibly have hoped for. India did a great job and I’m very happy I’m here.”

The introduction of a new world championship which bridges the gap between the junior game, which has for many years provided international competition at U13, U15, U17 and U19 levels, and the senior tours, was widely applauded.

Australian Rodney Eyles, the distinguished former world champion and Commonwealth Games silver medallist, was extremely enthused by the introduction of the U21 team event: “It’s very significant from Australia’s point of view. We’ve suffered over the years from the transition from junior to senior level – but we can now show our youngsters a good pathway, laying the foundation for the PSA and WSA Tours.

“The World Squash Federation have brilliantly orchestrated this and the countries have really supported it,” added Eyles.

“It’s exactly what we needed and I think it will really help inspire our youngsters to take up the game.”

Action from the final

Teenage sensation Emily Whitlock won her first WSA World Tour title yesterday in the Savcor Finnish Open.

Seeded first in the tournament at the age of just 17-years-old, Whitlock stormed through the event without dropping a game.  She then continued her impressive run of form to beat second seed and world No36 Siyoli Waters 3-0 in the final.

In contrast the Englishwoman, Waters of South Africa had tough four and five games battles on her way the final.  Her semi-final clash against Carrie Ramsey saw the players on court for 60-minutes, the longest match of the competition, and the South African twice came from match-ball down in the fifth, to progress to the final.

Earlier in the event, No3 seed Lucie Fialova of the Czech Republic became the only seeded player to fall in the first round, throwing away a two-game lead before succumbing to Englishwoman, Victoria Bell.  Remarkably, this was to be the only rankings upset of the whole event.

Currently sitting at her highest ever WSA World Ranking spot at 33, Whitlock last week helped the England finish third in the Under21’s World Cup in Chennai, India.

Final:

[1] Emily Whitlock (ENG) bt [2] Siyoli Waters (RSA) 11-6, 11-8, 11-3 (30m)

Semi-finals:

[1] Emily Whitlock (ENG) bt [4] Siti Munirah Jusoh (MAS) 11-6, 11-8, 11-6 (30m)

[2] Siyoli Waters (RSA) bt [8] Carrie Ramsey (ENG) 10-12, 11-5, 11-5, 7-11, 13-11 (60m)

Quarter-finals:

[1] Emily Whitlock (ENG) bt [5] Olga Ertlova (CZE) 11-5, 11-3, 11-5 (33m)

[4] Siti Munirah Jusoh (MAS) bt [7] Lotte Eriksen (NOR) 11-8, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6 (40m)

[8] Carrie Ramsey (ENG) bt Victoria Bell (ENG) 11-9, 13-11, 11-6 (30m)

[2] Siyoli Waters (RSA) bt [6] Birgit Coufal (AUT) 7-11, 13-11, 11-5, 11-9 (35m)

1st round:

[1] Emily Whitlock (ENG) bt Milnay Louw (RSA) 11-8, 11-6, 11-8

[5] Olga Ertlova (CZE) bt Belen Etchechoury (ARG) 11-3, 11-5, 11-0 (19m)

[4] Siti Munirah Jusoh (MAS) bt [Q] Emilia Soini (FIN) 11-5, 11-5, 11-7 (22m)

[7] Lotte Eriksen (NOR) bt Anna Jurkun (POL) 11-4, 11-5, 11-2

[8] Carrie Ramsey (ENG) bt Bine Malund Lind (DEN) 12-10, 11-4, 11-0 (27m)

Victoria Bell (ENG) bt [3] Lucie Fialova (CZE) 6-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-8

[6] Birgit Coufal (AUT) bt Saara Valtola (FIN) 11-8, 11-3, 11-7 (31m)

[2] Siyoli Waters (RSA) bt Sally Skaarenborg (DEN) 11-4, 11-5, 11-9 (27m)

James Willstrop and Nick Matthew in action

YOUNG EGYPTIANS CHALLENGE TOP ENGLISH STARS

By ALAN THATCHER

THE Canary Wharf Classic is heading for another sell-out as squash fans clamour for tickets to see the world’s leading players compete in London’s premier squash tournament.

This PSA International 50 event takes place from March 19-23 with world champion Nick Matthew seeded to meet English rival James Willstrop in the final. That outcome would be a repeat of yesterday’s National Championship final in Manchester, where Matthew retained his title and continued his long unbeaten run against Yorkshire rival Willstrop.

Four Egyptian players add a strong international flavour to the Canary Wharf draw as the sport’s top two nations prepare to clash on court.

Matthew will be returning to London to bid for a third consecutive title at the East Wintergarden after winning the last two finals against French ace Gregory Gaultier in 2010 and England team-mate Peter Barker last year.

Tickets for the semi-finals day have already sold out and tournament joint promoter Peter Nicol, the former world champion, said: “The main focus in professional squash is on the astonishing competition between the two Englishmen at the top of the world rankings.

“James won three tournaments back to back at the end of 2011 to reach the world number one position for the first time in his career, but Nick beat him in the final of the Tournament of Champions in New York to return to the top in the February rankings.

“They are seeded to meet again the Canary Wharf final with Nick seeking a hat-trick of titles. That shows how consistent he has been during that period and to win two World Open titles back to back is a phenomenal achievement.

“We are delighted that English players are at the top of the draw, including the experienced trio of Barker, Daryl Selby and Adrian Grant, but with four outstanding young Egyptians in the tournament we are in for some fireworks.”

World number eight Mohamed El Shorbagy and his younger brother Marwan, both world junior champions, lead the Egyptian entourage, with Tarek Momen and Ali Anwar Reda making up a striking quartet.

Momen achieved a surprise victory over Matthew in Qatar in October before the Sheffield-based world champion took a break from the game to have treatment on a torn hamstring that was severely affecting his movement on court.

Nicol added: “We are witnessing an amazing era in squash as a wave of young Egyptians power their way up the rankings to challenge the existing order. Nick and James have enjoyed long spells of consistency and have enormous experience of major tournaments and big occasions, but there is no denying that the Egyptians pose a real threat at Canary Wharf.”

Adding more international flavour, the Canary Wharf Classic has attracted German number one Simon Rosner (the world No.20) and top Indian player Saurav Ghosal (world No.27).

Surrey’s Joe Lee has been awarded the wild card and is delighted to be chosen again after missing last year’s tournament through injury.

He said: “It is a real honour to be selected again and I am looking forward to playing on the glass court at such a wonderful venue in one of the best tournaments on the world calendar.”

Tickets for the 2012 Canary Wharf Classic cost from £15 and are available from Ticketmaster.

The fabulous East Wintergarden offers superb opportunities for corporate hospitality, with the gallery restaurant offering “the best view of squash anywhere in the world” according to Nicol.

The qualifying competition takes place at Wimbledon Racquets and Fitness Club on March 17-18 with four winners joining the top 12 seeds in the main draw.

Online: www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Ticket Hotline: 0844 8472419

Event website: www.canarywharfsquash.com

Host Sponsor: Canary Wharf Group plc

Tournament Partners: ISS Facility Services

The Canary Wharf Squash Classic at the East Wintergarden is jointly promoted by Eventis Sports Marketing and SquashUK.

Tournament Dates: March 19-23, 2012
Venue: East Wintergarden, Bank Street, Canary Wharf, E14

Corporate Hospitality: Superb packages are available, enabling spectators to wine, dine and watch all the gripping squash action from the Gallery restaurant within the East Wintergarden.

Full details from Tim Garner at Eventis Sports Marketing
Telephone: 07973 817468. Email: tgarner@eventis-sports.com

Women’s final: Emily Whitlock (England) beat Siyoli Waters (South Africa) 11-6, 11-8, 11-3.

Tuominen Takes Title No4 In Finland

14 February 2012

RESULTS: PSA Challenger 15 Savcor Finnish Open, Mikkeli, Finland

Semi-finals:
[1] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt Campbell Grayson (NZL) 13-11, 11-6, 11-3 (44m)
[3] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) 11-4, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8 (34m)
Final:
[1] Olli Tuominen (FIN) bt [3] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) 11-5, 11-4, 5-11, 11-9 (58m)

Local hero Olli Tuominen claimed his fourth Savcor Finnish Open title in five years when he defeated third seed Karim Abdel Gawad in the final of the PSA World Tour Challenger 15 squash event at Shopping Center Stella in Mikkeli.

Top seed Tuominen reached the final – the 17th Tour final of his career – after overcoming unseeded New ZealanderCampbell Grayson in the previous round.

It was in the other semi that third seed Gawad held off the challenge of unseeded fellow Egyptian Omar Abdel Meguid.

The Finn got off to a flying start in the final, and managed to keep the speed high. Gawad, the world No42, was unable to challenge Tuominen in the first two games.

In the third, however, the 20-year-old from Cairo got into the game and took control – ultimately winning the game to reduce the deficit.

Tuominen fought back in the fourth to grab an early 5-1 lead. Gawad came back once again – but the four-point cushion was enough for the world No23 from Helsinki to take the game and the match 11-5, 11-4, 5-11, 11-9 in just under one hour.

The triumph marks 32-year-old Tuominen’s 11th PSA World Tour title.

Tuominen turns up the heat in the fnal

Emily Whitlock powers to the women's title