Just seven months after the birth of her second child, former world
number twoNatalie Grinham will
make her comeback at the first Women's
Squash Association World Series championship
of the year, the Windy
City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners and EquiTrust Life Insurance
Company in Chicago from
26 February to 4 March.
The World
Series Platinum event is
making history by offering the richest purse in North America this year
and providing parity for men's and women's prize money. The Windy City
Open, hosted by the University
Club of Chicago and
staged in the club's prestigious Cathedral
Hall, is one of only two Pro Squash World Series Events to offer
prize money parity for men and women professionals.
Australia-born Grinham, a record triple gold medallist in
the 2006 Commonwealth
Games who now represents
the Netherlands where she boasts three national titles, is excited about
making her latest Tour comeback after the birth of her second son Ryan
on 31st July last year.
"I feel like an addict about to get my fix," admitted the
36-year-old from Hoofddorp. "I am excited to be going back on tour, but
at the same time nervous and curious."
Grinham, who has appeared in 44 WSA World Tour finals and
boasts 19 titles, lines up against Alison
Waters, the world No.5 from England, in the first round in the top
half of the draw.
"How far will I get, and will I be satisfied?" continued
Grinham (pictured above
with Ryan). "I think it's possible to get back to being competitive
at the highest level.
"Having two kids requires a lot more structure, so it's
going to be tougher this time - but I do love a challenge!"
The draw also includes Natalie's older sister Rachael
Grinham, the 11th seed. The former world number one faces Hong
Kong's Joey Chan in
the other half of the draw.
Malaysia's reigning world number one Nicol
David is seeded to win
her 61st WSA World Series title in Chicago. The 31-year-old from Penang,
who last month won a record eighth world title, opens her Windy City
Open campaign against US wild cardOlivia Blatchford.
The draw predicts a final between David and Raneem
El Welily, the Egyptian who moved up to two in the January world
rankings after reaching December's Wadi
Degla World Championship final
at her home club in Cairo against expectations.
Defending champion Laura
Massaro, who beat El Welily in last year's final, is the event's
third seed. The world No.3 from England faces a qualifier in the opening
round.
Windy City Open 1st round draw:
[1] Nicol David (MAS)
v [WC] Olivia Blatchford (USA)
[12] Dipika Pallikal (IND)
v Qualifier
[15] Nouran Gohar (EGY)
v Qualifier
[5] Alison Waters (ENG)
v Natalie Grinham (NED)
[4] Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
v Qualifier
[10] Annie Au (HKG)
v Jenny Duncalf (ENG)
[13] Madeline Perry (IRL)
v Qualifier
[8] Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
v Joshana Chinappa (IND)
[6] Camille Serme (FRA)
v Qualifier
[14] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
v Nicolette Fernandes (GUY)
[16] Emma Beddoes (ENG)
v Sarah Kippax (ENG)
[3] Laura Massaro (ENG)
v Qualifier
[7] Low Wee Wern (MAS)
v Habiba Mohamed (EGY)
[11] Rachael Grinham (AUS)
v Joey Chan (HKG)
[9] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY)
v Qualifier
[2] Raneem El Welily (EGY)
v Qualifier
Tickets are available at www.windycityopen.com
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