Nash Cup bigger and better
By ALAN THATCHER
DECLAN JAMES is back in Canada attempting to retain the Nash Cup trophy he won last year by beating Qatar’s Abdullah Al Tamimi. This year James is seeded two behind Peru’s Diego Elias, with Al Tamimi, coached by Australian legend Geoff Hunt, seeded three.
Squash professionals from around the world have been arriving in London, Ontario, since Thursday. The ninth Annual Nash Cup Professional Squash Tournament will officially begin this Monday at 4pm.
In the men’s event, prospective finalists Elias and James are followed in the seedings by Al Tamimi (Qatar), Olli Tuominen (Finland), Ben Coleman (England), Henrik Mustonen (Finland), Andrew Schnell (Canada) and Jens Schoor (Germany).
This year, 48 Players (28 men; 20 women) from 19 countries will compete in two divisions of single elimination competition for a combined purse of $25K USD…the largest ever offered in London, Ontario. The men’s prize money is $15k and the women’s $10k.
Matches begin Monday at 4pm and will continue each evening until the finals on Saturday.
All matches on both courts will be live streamed at www.nashcup.com (live scoreboard for smaller devices; no app required)
Limited seating remains available for each night of competition (very limited from Thursday to Saturday).
Since 2008 the members of London Squash & Fitness have welcomed 146 professionals from 38 countries to compete for money and world ranking points in the annual NASH Cup matches. This event is run by a dedicated committee of volunteers and has grown from its humble beginnings as a $5K men’s purse to one of Canada’s largest annual squash events.
MONDAY NIGHT MATCHES – The opening round of the NASH Cup includes nine local entries.
16 men and 8 women will play on London Squash & Fitness’s two glass backed courts from 4pm to 10pm.
The draws will be released by the PSA Sunday morning and posted to the Nash Cup website.
The men’s draw features 2 of the best players on Western’s Varsity Squash Team – a team that has won the OUA championships for an unprecedented 33 consecutive years. Spectators are encouraged to wear purple Monday in support of UWO players David Mill and Stefan Houbtchev
PSA website link to the Nash Cup draw
Nash Cup PSA M15, London, Ontario, Canada.
Men’s 1st round:
[1] Diego Elias (PER) v Qualifier
[7] Andrew Schnell (CAN) v [WC] Cameron Seth (CAN)
[6] Henrik Mustonen (FIN) v Qualifier
[4] Olli Tuominen (FIN) v Qualifier
[3] Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT) v Qualifier
[5] Ben Coleman (ENG) v Shawn Delierre (CAN)
[8] Jens Schoor (GER) v Jan van den Herrewegen (BEL)
[2] Declan James (ENG) v Jaymie Haycocks (ENG)
Women’s PSA W10 1st round:
[1] Christine Nunn (AUS) v Reyna Pacheco (USA)
[5] Nikki Todd (CAN) v Melina Turk (CAN)
[6] Maria Toorpakai Wazir (PAK) v Qualifier
[3] Misaki Kobayashi (JPN) v Enora Villard (FRA)
[4] Samantha Cornett (CAN) v Qualifier
[8] Alison Thomson (ENG) v Qualifier
[7] Danielle Letourneau (CAN) v [WC] Micaala Seth (CAN)
[2] Hollie Naughton (CAN) v Qualifier
Picture by Nash Cup