‘There are so many good players around and anyone can win it’
By ELLIE MAWSON
Despite enjoying the most successful season of her career to date France’s Camille Serme says the pressure is off ahead of next month’s PSA Dubai World Series Finals which takes place at Dubai Opera from June 6-10.
The 28-year-old, who finished top of the PSA Road to Dubai Standings, has been in scintillating form this season – winning the U.S. Open and Tournament of Champions alongside the Cleveland Classic – but is going into the season-ending event with ‘no expectations’.
“This has been the best season of my career so far,” said Serme. “I’ve never played at that level before so it’s exciting for me and I’m very excited to be going back to Dubai again.
“Especially as I’m ranked No.1 on the Road to Dubai Standings. But I’m not going there with any pressure or expectations. I think the Women’s Tour is incredibly tough at the moment and you never know who is going to win an event.”
The World No.3 was knocked out in the group stage at last year’s tournament and admits she will have to be mentally ready for a fast start in the best-of-three group stage format.
“The World Series Finals is different from other events – you have to be ready physically and mentally from the very first point,” she said.
“There are so many players capable of winning it and we have very tough matches from the first day so I just want to go there and enjoy my squash for the week.
“It was a great tournament last year and I think it will be another great event this year.
“My target is just to do better than last year and hopefully reach the semis – if I can do better than that will be a bonus.”
The PSA Dubai World Series Finals takes place from June 6-10, 2017 with the tournament match schedule to be announced on Monday June 5. All of the action will be shown live on SQUASHTV (rest of world) and Eurosport Player (Europe only).
Group stage matches will take place at 3:00pm, 3:45pm, 16:45pm and 17:30pm (Group A) and 21:30pm, 22:15pm, 23:15pm and 00:00am (Group B) between June 6-8 with the semi-finals due to take place from 22:00pm on June 9. The finals will commence at 22:00pm local time on June 10.
Tickets for the World Series Finals can be purchased at https://dubaiopera.etixdubai.com/shows/show.aspx?sh=PSAUMB
Picture courtesy of PSA