Kiwi Paul Coll back to defend his title at St George’s Hill
By SEAN REUTHE
World No.3 Mohamed ElShorbagy will top the Channel VAS Championships at St George’s Hill draw in October as six of the world’s top 10 players compete for the PSA M100 title in Weybridge.
Held between October 18-22 at the St George’s Hill Lawn Tennis Club in Weybridge, Surrey,the third edition of the Channel VAS Championship will see ElShorbagy joined by fellow Egyptians Ali Farag, his younger brother Marwan ElShorbagy, Tarek Momen, Fares Dessouky and Mohamed Abouelghar in fighting for the title.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Paul Coll will return to the scene of his biggest ever title triumph as he looks to consolidate his place in the world’s top 10.
The 25-year-old Kiwi shot up the world rankings last season after downing Momen in the final and he will aim for another taste of success in October.
Home interest in the main draw comes in the form of England’s World No.12 Daryl Selby – the 2015 runner-up – and tournament wild card Joe Lee, son of tournament promoter Danny Lee. Australia’s Ryan Cuskelly, Spain’s Borja Golan and Peru’s Diego Elias make up the rest of the main draw entries.
The qualification draw features a number of experienced home players vying to make it into the main draw, with the likes of 2015 winner Chris Simpson, World No.36 Declan James, World No.38 Adrian Waller and World No.39 Tom Richards, who has played at the St George’s Hill club for almost 30 years, all in action.
There are also a number of local Englishmen aiming to come through qualifying. World No.53 Charles Sharpes will aim to reach the main draw at the second attempt after falling in the final qualifying round last year, while 19-year-old Charlie Lee and 20-year-old Matthew Broadberry also feature.
But they will face stern competition if they are to qualify for the main draw, with World No.18 Cameron Pilley, former World No.4 Miguel Angel Rodriguez and Indian No.1 Saurav Ghosal just some of the big names in the qualifying draw.
Qualification for the Channel VAS Championship at St George’s Hill will take place between October 16-17, with the main draw held between October 18-22. The whole tournament will take place at the St George’s Hill Lawn Tennis Club.
Every match from the main draw will be shown live on SQUASHTV (Rest of World) or Eurosport Player (Europe only).
2017 Channel VAS Championship at St George’s Hill, Weybridge, Surrey, England. Entry List:
1) Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY)
2) Ali Farag (EGY)
3) Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY)
4) Tarek Momen (EGY)
5) Fares Dessouky (EGY)
6) Paul Coll (NZL)
7) Daryl Selby (ENG)
8) Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY)
9) Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)
10) Borja Golan (ESP)
11) Diego Elias (PER)
Wildcard: Joe Lee (ENG)
Tickets start from £11.85 and be purchased here: www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Channel-Vas-Squash-Championships-tickets/artist/2295837
Pictures courtesy of PSA