Women’s
World No.5 Nour El Sherbini and Men’s defending champion Mohamed Elshorbagy have
captured the 2016 Allam British Open, PSA World Series, titles after respective
victories over fellow Egyptians Nouran Gohar and Ramy Ashour in Hull’s Airco
Arena - with El Sherbini becoming the first female Egyptian to lift the coveted
title.
El Sherbini's match with Gohar saw the lead change hands multiple times
throughout the 75-minute encounter with both players trading points with gusto
in a tightly-contested and highly-charged battle. El Sherbini eased to the
opening game before Gohar, playing with a maturity that belied her youth, fought
back to go a game ahead and put herself within touching distance of the famous
crown.
But
El Sherbini came back at her and showcased the credentials that has seen her
surge to the upper echelons of the Women’s game, taking the match 11-7, 9-11,
7-11, 11-6, 11-8 to become the tournament’s second youngest winner at just 20
years of age after New Zealand’s Susan Devoy in 1984.
"It was a really tough match," said El Sherbini.
"Nouran is just 18 and she brought out all of the squash I had today. I really
had to do all I could to win, it was really close. The last two points were
really hard, I’m speechless.
"I’m really proud to be representing Egypt anywhere so to be the first Egyptian
to win the British Open is a huge thing for me. I’m really proud to be one of
the four finalists today. I’m really happy that Egypt is proud of me and I want
to keep making them proud."
Meanwhile,
Elshorbagy has made it five World Series titles in a row after a strong display
saw him end a four-match winless streak against fierce rival Ashour.
The man from Alexandria was in fine fettle against 2013 winner Ashour, whose
movement looked inhibited, and powered to victory in the first two games before
seeing off a resurgent Ashour in the third to close out an 11-2, 11-5, 11-9
triumph.
"I’m really happy to be able to defend my title and win my second British Open,"
said Elshorbagy.
"It’s
been a crazy season for me. Last season, when I won four World Series titles, I
was telling my mother and my brother that I didn’t know how I was going to keep
up with that next season but I’ve won five already so this is a dream for me.
I’m just really proud of what I have been achieving this season.
‘I have to be thankful to my team, they are the ones that are keeping my body
healthy because our matches are just something different. We give something
different to our sport and I really hope we keep playing for the future and we
have such a great rivalry. It’s great to have him [Ashour] back here again."
The final of the 2016 Allam British Open, PSA World Series tournament, will
feature four Egyptians for the first time in the history of the prestigious
event after Ramy Ashour, Mohamed Elshorbagy, Nouran Gohar and Nour El Sherbini
all secured semi-final wins in Hull’s Airco Arena.
Ashour
earned his place in the showpiece finale after coming through a spectacular
74-minute encounter against World Champion Gregory Gaultier. The duo drew loud
applause from a capacity crowd at the end of a series of brutal, breathtaking
rallies, full to the brim with attacking artistry and frantic retrieving from
both combatants.
Ashour looked to have conceded the initiative after allowing a two-game lead to
slip through his grasp but he recovered from five-points down in the fifth to
take an 11-6, 12-10, 8-11, 9-11, 11-7 victory through to the next stage.
“When the injury happened to me in November in Seattle I was thinking that I was
done,” said Ashour, who was making his first appearance in four months after a
hamstring injury sustained in the World Championship.
“For some reason, I didn’t remember where the years went. I would go back and
watch and I wouldn’t feel anything. I was thinking that there was something
wrong there.
“I was thinking about losing the match in the fifth. At the same time, you’re
playing the World Champion. It’s a mental battle, not just physically. There’s
no words to describe how I’m feeling. It was very dreamy for me just to be
back."
Meanwhile,
defending champion Elshorbagy advanced to the final for a second successive year
after sweeping to victory against compatriot Karim Abdel Gawad.
Elshorbagy dominated the 44-minute spectacle and gave Gawad very little chance
to attack with a series of punishing drives keeping his younger compatriot
rooted in the back of the court and he duly triumphed courtesy of an 11-8, 11-7,
11-7 scoreline.
The World No.1 will take on Ashour in a mouthwatering repeat of the 2014 World
Championship final, a match widely renowned to be one of the greatest of all
time. Elshorbagy is 7-1 down on the head-to-head record between the two but
admits he is looking forward to the encounter.
"Playing Ramy tomorrow will be completely different,” Elshorbagy said.
“I’m three years younger than the older generation, Nick, Greg and Ramy and I’ve
been playing with them for so many years. I wasn’t relaxed when I was playing
them because I was trying to catch up with them and win titles like them. This
time, I know I have already won this title last year so I will be a bit more
relaxed.
“If we both stay injury free we’re going to give something special for our
sport. He played an amazing match today because Greg [Gaultier] was playing so
well and it was great to see him moving and he has been getting better every
day. I am sure that, tomorrow, we will have such an amazing match in front of an
amazing crowd.”
The
Women’s final will be a battle between the two youngest finalists in British
Open history with 18-year-old World Junior Champion Gohar set to meet El
Sherbini, who was just 16 years of age when she reached the 2012 final.
Gohar played with pace and precision in a virtuoso performance against last
year’s winner Camille Serme to surge into a two-game advantage but a resilient
Serme fought back to ensure parity. A nail-biting fifth game was decided by the
narrowest of margins but it was Gohar who edged it to reach her first ever World
Series final, where she could become the youngest ever Women’s winner - just two
months after triumphing in the the junior edition of the iconic tournament.
“It’s amazing, it’s a very good thing, it’s my biggest achievement so far being
in the British Open final,” she said.
“I was in the British Open Junior final just a few months ago and now I’m in the
final of the senior tournament. Being in the final of the most prestigious
tournament of the year is an unbelievable achievement. I’ve been playing lots of
tournaments, lots of matches so it has given me experience and helped me improve
my game."
El
Sherbini defeated five-time winner Nicol David with a superb 3-1 victory,
sending her into a final that will be completely dominated by Egyptians - the
first time a single nation has provided all four finalists since Australia in
1977.
There
will be three Egyptian men in the semi-final stage of the prestigious Allam
British Open, PSA World Series tournament, for the first time in the modern era
after 2013 champion Ramy Ashour led World No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy and Karim
Abdel Gawad into the last four in Hull.
Ashour downed compatriot Ali Farag in a scintillating 56-minute encounter that
saw both players showcase some exquisite squash with Ashour in particular
hitting a spectacular corkscrew shot that died in the forehand back corner. The
28-year-old closed out the victory by an 11-8, 11-8, 11-9 scoreline to move in
to the last four where he will face World Champion Gregory Gaultier.
“I’m really happy with my performance especially coming back from injury, it
means a lot to me and everyone who believed in me,” he said.
“It’s just great to be in the semi-finals but I’m not expecting anything and I
won’t get ahead of myself. I wasn’t playing in patches today which is a great
sign. I just want to push myself as best I can until my body or my mind breaks
down.
“He’s [Farag] a very respectful character and I think he is now the ‘over-dog’
rather than the ‘under-dog’. His movement is unbelievable and he’s definitely a
top-10 quality player.”
Elshorbagy
safely secured his passage into the next round with a strong victory over
Colombia’s Miguel Angel Rodriguez.
Rodriguez put in a valiant display but, despite some excellent retrieval skills
and a trademark dive wowing an enraptured crowd, Elshorbagy’s class shone
through as the man from Alexandria powered to an 11-8, 11-8, 11-9 victory.
"Trying to defend this title is going to mean so much to me and my team,” said
Elshorbagy.
“Winning it the first time is always the toughest but, now I have won, I’m
relaxed. You deal with each match differently. Today was very tough because it
was very hot today and they are the perfect conditions for him and the worst
conditions for me.
"I had to deal with it and I was glad I was able to slow down the pace and keep
it as tight as I can. He played really well but this is the British Open and I
am playing my best squash here."
Elshorbagy
will face compatriot Karim Abdel Gawad in the next round after he dispatched the
younger Elshorbagy, Marwan, in four games, while World Champion Gregory Gaultier
beat Germany’s Simon Rösner to set up a semi-final showdown with Ashour.
Defending Women’s champion Camille Serme took a step closer to retaining her
crown after a stunning win against World No.1 Laura Massaro in a repeat of last
year’s final.
Serme
played at a high tempo throughout, with a plethora of attacking volleys paying
dividends as Massaro struggled to find any fluency in her game and the
26-year-old took the match 11-8, 11-5, 11-7 to complete a stunning victory that
dashed any hopes of home success after Nick Matthew and James Willstrop bowed
out in the previous round.
"I felt good on court today, a bit nervous at the beginning, but I got more and
more confident with my game," said Serme.
"Last year I was really focused on what to do and I’m really happy. I wanted to
play a lot of volleys and try to attack as soon as I could without rushing it. I
was trying to find the balance between rushing and not rushing."
Nouran
Gohar caused the day’s big upset in the Women’s draw with a fine victory over
close friend and Egyptian No.1 Raneem El Welily, while five-time winner Nicol
David required four games to see off Omneya Abdel Kawy. Nour El Sherbini was the
other victor with a straight games dismantling of United States No.1 Amanda
Sobhy.
Defending
champions Mohamed Elshorbagy and Camille Serme (right) sealed their places in
the quarter-final of the 2016 Allam British Open, PSA World Series tournament,
on the fourth day of action at the prestigious event in Hull.
Current World No.1 Elshorbagy avenged his shock World Championship defeat to
former World No.1 James Willstrop by downing the Yorkshireman 11-6, 11-6, 8-11,
11-5 - meaning that there will be no Englishmen in the quarter-final stage of
the iconic tournament for the first time since 1992 after Nick Matthew also
exited the event yesterday.
“I’ve
been waiting for this match for four months, since the World Championship,” said
Elshorbagy (left).
“After he got back from his injury, the first time I saw him return to his best
was against me in the World Championship. I was really happy to see him playing
that well, it’s important for the game to have someone like him to be playing
very well. I was focused from the first point today, I thought we played such a
high-quality match for a second round match.
“I got in my zone and I’m really happy that he played well so we pushed each
other very hard.”
Serme, meanwhile, remains on course to retain her title in the Women’s event
after a masterful performance against England’s Victoria Lust sent her through
to the last eight.
The number five seed produced an array of sublime shots during a high-quality
match as her attacking artistry at the front of the court in particular paid
dividends throughout the 31-minute encounter.
She
put Lust to the sword in a comprehensive 11-5, 11-8, 11-3 victory to seal her
spot in the next round - where she will face Women’s World No.1 Laura Massaro
(right), the only English player left in the competition, in a repeat of last
year’s final.
"I am just trying to focus on today and not last year," Serme said.
"I just try to focus match after match, and try to think about the tactic and
not the prestigious tournament. It would be be a good battle [against Massaro],
a good match. I am going to give everything I have."
Massaro came through a difficult tie against Denmark’s Line Hansen to continue
her attempts to lift a second British Open crown.
The 32-year-old was made to work hard for the win and found herself trailing her
opponent in the first game before prevailing and she came through the second in
determined style after triumphing on the tie-break. Some typically accurate
hitting from the 2013 British Open champion saw her pull away in game three and
she kept her composure to record an 11-9, 12-10, 11-5 triumph.
“It will be a good match for the crowd," said Massaro of her upcoming fixture
against Serme.
"I’m glad to be in the quarter final, it’s nice to be off in three games with
not much time to rest. I feel like I am playing well and much better than I was
this time last year. Also I don’t have an 85-minute match in my legs like I did
going into last years final so I just want to play my best.”
An
injury to Saurav Ghosal saw Marwan Elshorbagy (left) progress to the next round
where he will take on Karim Abdel Gawad, who reached the last eight at the
iconic event for the first time in his career by beating compatriot Fares
Dessouki, while Miguel Angel Rodriguez downed Mohamed Abouelghar to ensure he
will face Mohamed Elshorbagy for a place in the semi-final.
The other matches in the Women’s draw saw World Junior Champion Nouran Gohar
beat Hong Kong’s Annie Au to set up a quarter-final clash with Raneem El Welily
(right), who saw off Sarah-Jane Perry.
Egyptian
World No.14 Ali Farag (right) stunned the crowd at the 2016 Allam British Open
in Hull as he knocked out three-time champion and World No.3 Nick Matthew in the
second round of the prestigious PSA World Series tournament to inflict the
home-favourite's worst British Open result since 2002.
Matthew was 2-1 up in an engaging, tightly-contested affair before his movement
slowed considerably towards the end of the fourth after sustaining an ankle
injury. Farag moved on to level things up and, despite battling bravely, a
clearly struggling Matthew was unable to match him in the final game as Farag
wrapped up a 4-11, 13-11, 10-12, 11-7, 11-4 victory to set up a quarter-final
meeting with compatriot Ramy Ashour.
“I knew he wasn’t at his best towards the end of the fourth but I am glad it
didn’t get into my head and I was able to carry on playing my game,” said Farag.
“I can’t put it into words how good it feels to get through to the
quarter-final. I don’t want to be satisfied yet, I want to keep progressing
until the following round until I win it. It might not happen this year but
maybe the year after and I will definitely come every year and do my best to win
it.
“There isn’t a game plan against the likes of Ramy, Nick or Greg [Gaultier], you
just need to keep it towards the back as much as possible then when you have any
opportunities you have to take them. Hopefully that will work.”
Ashour
(left), who won this event back in 2013, came back from the brink of elimination
after saving a match ball against Australian No.2 and sparring partner Ryan
Cuskelly in a dramatic 106-minute encounter which was the second longest match
of the Egyptian maverick’s career.
‘The Artist’ had gone two games up only to see his lead shattered by a resurgent
Cuskelly, who refocused after an injury forced him off court for a short period
during the third, before going 9-3 up in the deciding fifth game.
In a remarkable display of tenacity and skill, Ashour battled back and
overturned a match ball for Cuskelly at 11-10 to bring an end to a thrilling
encounter by an 11-5, 11-9, 6-11, 9-11, 13-11 scoreline.
“Every match I am just pushing myself," said Ashour.
"Today I was a bit hesitant so in the next match I will be all the way in. The
match was scary in patches but it was definitely better than last time [against
Cesar Salazar in round one]. I felt a lot freer on court and I didn’t think
about my body as much.
"He played amazingly so all credit to him. If it wasn’t for my comeback at the
end he could have got it. I’m trying to keep things as simple as I can, I’m not
trying to think too much.”
Elsewhere in the Men’s draw, World Champion Gregory Gaultier and Germany’s Simon
Rösner have also advanced after respective victories against Stephen Coppinger
and Chris Simpson. Gaultier and Rösner will now go head-to-head in the next
round for a place in the last four.
The
Women’s event saw five-time winner Nicol David (right)cement her place in the
quarter-final thanks to a routine win over Australia’s Donna Urquhart.
Malaysian icon David was on the front foot from the off and exhibited some
majestic shots throughout an 11-4, 11-7, 11-6 win to move progress to the next
round after just 27 minutes on court.
“All the girls are stepping up their games in each round which is exciting for
the tour at the moment as we are all pushing each other but I'm really pleased
with how I played today,” said David.
“I felt like I was feeling the court better and I know I always have to play
good squash on the day, and I’m happy to win 3-0 and have this amount of
recovery. I came into this tournament as number two seed and the underdog so I
will give it my all and see where it takes me.”
Egyptian
duo Nour El Sherbini and Omneya Abdel Kawy also won against Hong Kong pair Liu
Tsz-Ling and Joey Chan, respectively, while United States No.1 Amanda Sobhy
(left) took out England’s Alison Waters in an impressive three-game salvo.
Egyptian
Karim Abdel Gawad (right) pulled off the biggest upset of the competition so far
as he downed World No.4 Omar Mosaad in the first round of the 2016 Allam British
Open during a day of high drama that saw a six-strong contingent upset the odds
to book a place in the second round of the prestigious PSA World Series
tournament taking place in Hull.
Inside the Airco Arena, Gawad, the 24-year-old from Giza, played with poise and
composure to halt the run of Mosaad - who reached the final at both the Canary
Wharf Classic and Colombia Open inside the past month - and inflict a first
round exit on World Championship runner-up Mosaad for the first time since
January 2014.
"I'm over the moon to come through today," said Gawad.
"The last time we played I think I only took about four points from him so when
I saw I was playing Omar in the first round I knew it would be tough. He's
played a lot of tournaments recently and has had some good results and been in
great form so I'm very happy to win.
"He's one of the toughest players on tour mentally and physically and I could
feel he was tired today but I still had to play at my best to make sure I could
get the win and I need to focus on the second round and push on in the next
match."
Gawad
will play compatriot Fares Dessouki for a place in the quarter-finals where
Indian Saurav Ghosal (left) could await after he toppled number eight seed
Mathieu Castagnet, winner of the Canary Wharf Classic, to reach the second round
for the first time since 2013.
Castagnet, who had suffered with illness prior to the tournament, struggled to
cope with Ghosal's pace and attrition and after sharing the first two games it
was the World No.19 from Calcutta who asserted himself to earn an impressive
win.
“Mathieu has been playing extremely well, his results over the last couple of
months have been great," said Ghosal.
"He won at Canary Wharf which was a massive win. I knew I had to be ready for an
absolute battle. I was expecting long lung busting rallies but I was very
pleased with how I played."
Ghosal's
long-time training partner James Willstrop, the English former World No.1
currently ranked No.12, was another surprise victor as he dismissed World No.7
Tarek Momen 3-1 to set up a last sixteen match with World No.1 Mohamed
Elshorbagy (right) while qualifier Mohamed Abouelghar also upset the odds
to defeat an under-the-weather Daryl Selby 3-0.
In the women's draw Danish player Line Hansen completed a remarkable come back
from behind victory to record an improbable win over Malaysian Delia Arnold, who
ranked 11 places above her on the World Rankings at No.15.
Arnold shocked the squash world last year when she reached the semi-finals of
the British Open but, after edging the first two games, she couldn't halt
Hansen's charge as the 32-year-old sealed an incredible comeback.
“This is the best I’ve ever done at the British Open and I’ve played here a fair
few times,” said Hansen.
“Last time we played, I lost 12-10 in the fifth so I knew it was going to be
close but I also knew I was in with a chance. I’m just glad I finally got a good
win. To be honest, I got a little bit annoyed because I definitely thought I
shouldn’t have lost the first.
“I was just thinking that I had to hit through the ball rather than try to be
pretty and it worked.”
Hansen
will face World No.1 Laura Massaro in the next round after the top seed saw off
American Olivia Blatchford with ease while fellow Englishwoman Victoria Lust
overcame higher ranked Emily Whitlock in straight games to progress.
“I’m thrilled to win, Emily’s a tough player and she’s been playing well so to
get off in three is great and I’m really happy with how I played,” said Lust.
The
opening day of action at the 2016 Allam British Open saw the high-profile trio
of three-time World Champion Ramy Ashour (right), current World Champion Gregory
Gaultier and Women's World No.6 Omneya Abdel Kawy narrowly avoid crashing out of
the prestigious PSA World Series tournament, dubbed the 'Wimbledon of Squash',
at the very first hurdle.
Inside Hull's Airco Arena 2013 British Open winner Ashour, the maverick Egyptian
who was making his competitive comeback following a four-month injury enforced
absence, found himself 2-0 down to Mexican qualifier Cesar Salazar and facing an
ignominious exit before he managed to finally assert himself on proceedings and
show glimpses of the form that saw him become the most dominant force in squash
during 2012.
Ashour fell behind 11-1, 11-6 before finding his range and rhythm to canter
through the last three games and remind his world tour competitors that he can
still be a force to be reckoned with.
“I was just happy and grateful that I was moving and playing,” he said.
"I think with my injuries I trying too hard and training too much - I was always
thinking more is better but I realise now that was wrong. I'm getting smarter
with my training now and I'm just grateful that I'm here an table to hit the
ball.
“At the moment I have no aim, no goal. I’m just trying to forget about what I
want, or what I would like.”
Ashour's come-from-behind victory was mirrored by current World Champion
Gaultier (left)- who was also making his first appearance since suffering an
ankle-injury during January's Tournament of Champion - as he twice overturned
game deficits against Australian Cameron Pilley to reach the second round.
The Frenchman was unconvincing as he trailed 1-2 in games before he managed to
spark into life and take the last two games 11-2, 11-7.
“Obviously I am pleased to win and come through,” said Gaultier. “I didn’t know
what to expect and I did the best I could with the preparation time I had which
wasn’t idea. I was in great form in January and it was very hard to start over
again after the injury.
“Today wasn’t the best squash but I just did what I could. At 2-1 down I was
telling the coaches that I just wanted to go back to France but they found the
right words to motivate me and thankfully it worked.
“I’m happy to still be in the tournament and hopefully I can play better in the
next round.”
In
the women's draw there were impressive first round wins for title favourites
Nour El Sherbini and five-time winner Nicol David (right), who both came through 3-0
over Nicolette Fernandes and Mayar Hany, respectively, while Kawy matched the
feats of compatriot Ashour by coming from two-games down to defeat Welsh
qualifier Tesni Evans.
A serial semi-finalist on the PSA World Tour Kawy started sluggishly and looked
out of sorts during the opening two games before she showed why she has
consistently been one of the top ranking players on tour for the past decade as
she fought back to win three games in a row to keep her competition alive,
although she did require six match ball opportunities.
"I knew I have won from being 2-0 down before so I kept talking positively to
myself and I knew that I could win," said Kawy (left).
"In the fifth game the points were all crucial and I'm just really thankful that
I came through it. She made a few mistakes and I was pushing myself to hang in
there and work as hard as I could to win those points."
Former World No.2 Jenny Duncalf suffered the most high profile first round upset
on day one as she fell to qualifier Liu Tsz-Ling of Hong Kong - the 24-year-old
who ranks over 20 places below Duncalf on the World Rankings.
“It’s like I’m in a dream,” said Liu afterwards.
“I’ve never played her before and I knew that it would be a hard match. I didn’t
think much about winning or losing, I just stuck to playing my game."
Coll Topples Au As
Qualification Comes To A Close
New Zealand's Paul Coll, the man who became a viral sensation for his acrobatic
exploits during the Canary Wharf Classic just 12 days ago, scored a dramatic
upset win over number two seeded Leo Au of Hong Kong to progress to the main
draw of the 2016 Allam British Open as two days of intense qualification action
came to a close today.
The World No.41 narrowly lost out in the opening game, 10-12, but responded in
style to edge ahead 2-1 before Au raised his levels to force a decider. It was
all one way traffic in the fifth however as Coll, ranked 15 places lower than
Au, dominated to lose just one point on his way to setting up a first round
clash with Australian Ryan Cuskelly.
German Raphael Kandra was the only other upset winner in the men's draw, as he
defeated Wimbledon Open runner-up Omar Abdel Meguid 3-1 to set up a first round
fixture with Colombian Miguel Angel Rodriguez, while in the women's draw
England's Sarah Campion marked her return to competitive PSA World Tour action
for the first time since giving birth to her first child with a comprehensive
3-0 win over Cyrielle Peltier.
Campion will take on Hong Kong's Annie Au in the main draw while Nele Gilis,
Mayar Hany and Mariam Metwally all upset the seedlings to defeat Deon Saffery,
Nadine Shahin and Samantha Teran, respectively, to move into the main draw of
the prestigious PSA World Series tournament which takes place at the Airco Arena
from March 21 - 27 - with the University of Hull also playing host to select
matches on March 21 and 22.
World
No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy will lead a world-class field when the 2016 El Gouna
International, the last PSA World Series tournament of the 2015/16 season,
begins on Sunday April 24 in Egypt - and is seeded to face defending champion
Ramy Ashour in the quarter-final stage in what will be the latest instalment of
their fierce rivalry.
Elshorbagy, who succumbed to a 3-2 defeat to fellow Egyptian Ashour in last
year’s final, has dominated on the PSA World Tour in recent months, lifting four
consecutive World Series titles which has given him a strong lead at the summit
of the PSA Road to Dubai Standings.
Ashour, meanwhile, has struggled with the hamstring injury that has dogged the
last few years of his career and hasn’t been seen on the PSA World Tour since he
limped out of his World Championship clash with Omar Mosaad in November. Ashour
meets a qualifier in round one as he looks to kickstart his aspirations of
lifting a fourth successive El Gouna International crown, while Elshorbagy’s
opening round fixture against Egyptian maverick Mazen Hesham is the pick of the
first round action.
World No.4 Omar Mosaad is seeded to meet Elshorbagy in the semi-final but has a
difficult encounter with Cameron Pilley in round one.
On the opposite side of the draw, World Champion Gregory Gaultier and World No.3
Nick Matthew are seeded to meet in the last four, while the likes of Egyptian
trio Tarek Momen, Karim Abdel Gawad and Marwan Elshorbagy will be standing in
their way in a draw that is full to the brim with outstanding talent.
"The El Gouna International has firmly established itself as one of the most
exciting and awe-inspiring tournaments on the PSA World Tour calendar," said
Tournament Promoter Amr Mansi.
"An abundance of talent, including 19 of the world’s top 20 players, is set to
engage in some unforgettable matches across six days of truly world-class action
as the event, now entering its fifth year, continues to go from
strength-to-strength."
After
falling at the last hurdle against Frenchwoman Camille Serme in the 2015 Allam
British Open, England’s World No.1 Laura Massaro, who became just the third
English player to top the World Rankings this January, returns to Hull's Airco
Arena from March 21 - 27 as favourite to triumph at the prestigious ‘Wimbledon
of Squash’ in one of the most compelling draws of recent years.
Massaro, the 2013 British Open champion, has taken two of five PSA World Series
titles available so far during the 2015/16 season, at the US Open and Qatar
Classic, but with Nicol David, Raneem El Welily and Nour El Sherbini all also
having tasted success and with the likes of defending champion Serme, Tournament
of Champions runner-up Amanda Sobhy and serial semi-finalists Nouran Gohar and
Omneya Abdel Kawy also in the mix, the 2016 British Open could be one of the
most competitive tournament's in the event's illustrious history.
Massaro begins her bid for the title against a qualifier on March 22 en route to
what is a likely quarter-final clash with 2015 winner Serme. El Welily, the
woman who ended David's nine-year reign as World No.1, is seeded to meet Massaro
in the semi-finals while David and El Sherbini could clash in a their third
consecutive World Series semi-final - where the Malaysian will be hoping to stop
a run of three consecutive defeats to the Egyptian.
Serme will begin her defence with a tricky encounter with tournament wildcard
and local favourite Fiona Moverley while Gohar and Sobhy will be hoping to
progress beyond the last eight stage when they are seeded to meet El Welily and
El Sherbini, respectively.
With Massaro, David, El Sherbini, Sobhy and Gohar playing some of their best
squash in recent months, Serme returning to winning ways at the recent Cleveland
Classic and El Welily back to the form that saw her top the world rankings, the
2016 Women’s British Open has all the ingredients to go down as one of the most
thrilling ever.
Five-time
champion Nicol David says she is excited to compete in the
illustrious Allam British Open later this month when the 'Wimbledon
of Squash' gets underway in Hull's Airco Arena from the 21st March
in what will be the last PSA World Series tournament of the women's
2015/16 season.
The 2015/16 World Series season has been one of the most competitive
ever on the PSA World Tour with David, World No.1 Laura Massaro,
former World No.1 Raneem El Welily and Egyptian sensation Nour El
Sherbini all having tasted success in recent months. With the likes
of defending champion Camille Serme, Tournament of Champions
runner-up Amanda Sobhy and Egyptian's Nouran Gohar and Omneya Abdel
Kawy also in the British Open mix, David is preparing for a huge
challenge.
"It is exciting times for squash at present to have everyone pushing
each other to perform at their best each time we compete with each
other," said David.
"That's the challenge that drives me to push harder in my training
and to prepare for battle. But this year is another new year and
I'll approach the tournament the way I do each time - that is to
focus on my first round match then take it from there."
After lifting just one World Series title in the last 12 months,
December's Hong Kong Open, David will be hoping to return to winning
ways in Hull and lift the special trophy once again.
"The prestige of this event is the highlight for me and to be part
of the British Open every year is truly special," said David.
"It is the longest running squash tournament in the history of the
sport and every player is gunning to win that title to make their
mark in the squash world.
"It is such a thrilling experience winning this title knowing you're
part of an elite group of legendary squash players who have put
their name on this trophy. The British Open title was probably seen
as the highest regard before the World title was introduced so it
does carry a lot of weight winning this title."
The 2016 Allam British Open, PSA World Series tournament, takes
place in Hull, England from Saturday 19th to Sunday 27th March.
Qualification rounds will take place at the University of Hull on
the 19th & 20th March while the main draw action will be played at
the Airco Arena from the 21st March.
Three
time World Champion Ramy Ashour is hoping his injury nightmare will
soon be behind him as he aims to return to competitive action at the
prestigious 2016 Allam British Open, PSA World Series tournament
which begins on Monday March 21 at the Airco Arena in Hull.
The current World No.5 from Egypt has grappled with injury over the
past two years and has made just a handful of appearances since his
2014 World Championship victory, where he marked his return from a
six-month absence to lift the sport’s biggest prize.
After winning the NetSuite Open in his first tournament of the
2015/16 season, injury curtailed his participation in his next two
events at the Delaware Investments US Open and 2015 World
Championship and he has been out of action in the three months
since. However, ‘The Artist’ is hopeful that his latest attempts at
rehabilitation will prove fruitful as he looks to win a first
British Open crown since 2013.
"I have been working hard over the past few months to recover from
my injuries and I hope to be able to compete at the Allam British
Open later this month," said Ashour.
"Winning the tournament in 2013 was a special moment for me and
fingers crossed I can compete in that great event again in a few
weeks.”
The 2016 Allam British Open, PSA World Series tournament, takes
place in Hull, England from Saturday 19th to Sunday 27th March.
Qualification rounds will take place at the University of Hull on
the 19th & 20th March while the main draw action will be played at
the Airco Arena from the 21st March.
Women’s
World No.1 Laura Massaro, the 32-year-old from Preston, is looking
forward to going into this year’s 2016 Allam British Open at the
Airco Arena, Hull as the tournament top seed as she bids to win the
illustrious ‘Wimbledon of Squash’ for the second time in her career.
Massaro, who last week triumphed at the National Squash Championship
in Manchester, became just the first Englishwomen in 22 years to win
the Allam British Open when she defeated Nicol David to take the
title when the tournament made its debut in Hull in 2013. Three
years on she is hoping for a repeat performance this March.
“Winning the Allam British Open in 2013 was huge for me,” said
Massaro. “To beat Nicol David, who was then No.1, in front of a home
crowd in my first ever British Open final is something that I will
never forget.
“Once you get on court you only focus on playing squash but when the
crowd get behind the British players, especially in the latter
stages, and become more vocal it really does give you an incredible
boost and, as a player, it is a feeling that is hard to replicate at
any other tournament in the world.
“That 2013 win was unexpected and exciting but I feel capable of
winning this year also. Having two British Open title would be very,
very special. My focus is on playing my best and doing everything I
can to make it happen.”
After winning in 2013 Massaro fell short at the final hurdle in both
2014 and 2015, losing to David and Frenchwoman Camille Serme,
respectively, but despite those defeats she says she has nothing but
positive memories from her time in Hull.
“I only have good memories from playing in Hull over the past few
years and that helps me everytime I go there because I only think of
the tournament positively,” said the 2014 Women’s World Champion.
“Last year was also special for me because I came to the 2015
British Open after taking a break from the sport and I had to real
expectations on me. I came from 2-0 down against Nicol, in a match
that if one of my fondest ever memories, to make the final and even
though I lost that match it was another great memory in Hull.
“I’ll be the top seed this year and it’s a pleasure and a privilege
to be number one but there are so many players with the talent and
ability to go all the way that I know I can’t take anything for
granted.”
The 2016 Allam British Open, PSA World Series tournament, takes
place in Hull, England from Saturday 19th to Sunday 27th March.
Qualification rounds will take place at the University of Hull on
the 19th & 20th March while the main draw action will be played at
the Airco Arena from the 21st March.
One
year after the most famous victory of her career Camille Serme, the
World No.4, says she is relishing the prospect of returning to Hull
to defend her Allam British Open crown when the prestigious
‘Wimbledon of Squash’ gets underway on March 21 at the Airco Arena,
Hull.
Serme defeated home favourite and current World No.1 Laura Massaro
3-1 to secure the title in 2015, which has been contested since
1922, and become the first ever Frenchwoman to lift the historic
trophy in a victory that saw her become headline news all across
France in what she says was an amazing period of her career.
“Winning the British Open in 2015 was an incredible moment for me,”
said Serme.
“It was my first ever PSA World Series win and for that to come at
the British Open, considering how prestigious and historic the
tournament is, was amazing.
“The British Open is the longest running tournament and the history
makes it the most prestigious tournament there is – it’s a really
special event for all the players and it is one that we all want to
win and I’m really looking forward to returning there this year.”
With Massaro currently in the form of her life, five-time winner
Nicol David returning to her best form and former World No.1 Raneem
El Welily aiming to regain her peak form the Women’s Tour is in the
most competitive and unpredictable era in its history, which will
see Serme go into the 2016 staging of the event as an underdog to
retain her title.
But the 26-year-old from Créteil is happy to fly under the radar as
she says the pressure is not on her.
“The reaction to my win in France was great both for me and for
squash,” she said.
“I had loads of messages on my phone, on Facebook and Twitter and
there was a lot of media coverage after the tournament which was
great and I had a good team around me to help me with all of that.
“Being the defending champion will be a new experience for me and I
am excited about that, but I am not putting any pressure on myself.
I will approroach it as I will with any other tournament and take
each match as it comes and hopefully it will all go well.”
2015
PSA World Champion Gregory Gaultier says he is hoping to return to
competitive action this March in time to play at the prestigious
Allam British Open, the historic tournament known as the ‘Wimbledon
of Squash’, which takes place in Hull from March 21-27.
The Frenchman, a two-time winner of squash’s longest-running
competition which acted as a de-facto World Championship prior to
the first staging of the official World Championship in 1976,
suffered an ankle ligament injury during his semi-final encounter
with England’s Nick Matthew at the J.P. Morgan Tournament of
Champions but believes a British Open comeback could be on the cards
if his rehabilitation programme goes to plan.
“I had a rupture in one of my ankle ligaments and been ruled out of
action for the next few weeks but hopefully I can get back to court
as quickly as possible and in the best shape possible,” said
Gaultier.
“The Allam British Open is the most prestigious tournament we play
in and it is one that I really want to compete in during 2016. That
drive to play in this famous competition is already part of my
recovery motivation and I hope to be 100 per cent when the famous
championship gets underway in Hull. It would mean a lot to me to be
able to contend for the trophy again.”