Local hero Declan James could meet favourite in semi-finals
By DONNA HELMER
Commonwealth Games gold medallist James Willstrop and former national champion Daryl Selby, ranked 16 and 17 in the world respectively are seeded to meet in the final of the AJ Bell British National Squash Championships 2019 in Nottingham after the men’s draw was released today.
Former World.No.1 and two-time champion Willstrop kicks off his campaign against a qualifier, with a potential semi-final clash against local favourite Declan James, the World No.20. Willstrop will first have to overcome the powerful George Parker in the quarter-finals whilst James will need to navigate past Scottish number one Greg Lobban.
The 25-year-old James will be looking to replicate his performance at the season-opening Squash de Nantes, which saw him sensationally edge top seed Willstrop in a five-game final.
On the opposite side of the draw, 2011 champion Selby gets his tournament under way against a qualifier and is predicted to meet Guernsey’s Chris Simpson in the quarters before going head-to-head with long-time rival and friend Tom Richards, seeded 3/4 in the semis.
Qualifying round takes place between 12th and 13th February at Nottingham Squash Rackets Club (NSRC) with Patrick Rooney, Robert Downer, Mark Fuller and Rory Stewart favourites to claim the last four places in the main draw. Round one commences on Thursday 14th February at NSRC and the University of Nottingham.
AJ Bell British National Squash Championships 2019, Nottingham.
Men’s First Round:
[1] James Willstrop (Eng) v Qualifier
[6] George Parker (Eng) v Nathan Lake (Eng)
[5] Greg Lobban (Sco) v Qualifier
[3] Declan James (Eng) v Richie Fallows (Eng)
[4] Tom Richards (Eng) v Charlie Lee (Eng)
[8] Adrian Waller (Eng) v Qualifier
[7] Chris Simpson (Eng) v Josh Masters (Eng)
[2] Daryl Selby (Eng) v QualifierÂ
Article by DONNA HELMER (England Squash). Edited by ALAN THATCHER.
Picture courtesy of England Squash