Hull lot of shaking going on as hopefuls bid for place in main draw
By ALAN THATCHER – Squash Mad Editor
Last week Paul Coll was a global media sensation. Next week he returns to the grind of qualifying as he bids for a place in the main draw of the Allam British Open.
New Zealander Coll, who shot to fame after an amazing sequence of dives against James Willstrop in the Canary Wharf Classic, plays Lyell Fuller in the first qualifying round. Fuller also enjoyed a moment of fame at Canary Wharf, beating Josh Masters to win the wild card shoot-out which gains him automatic entry into next year’s main draw.
The British Open qualifying competition will be staged at the University of Hull on March 19-20 and will include 24 English players, each hopeful of earning a place in the main draw of the sports “Wimbledon of Squash” being held at the Airco Arena in Hull from March 21-27.
Rising English hopefuls Joe Lee and Declan James, who both reached the min draw at Canary Wharf and both lost to James Willstrop at Wimbledon, meet each other.
France’s Lucas Serme, brother of reigning women’s champion Camille, meets Yorkshire’s Ashley Davies, who will be keen to progress on home soil.
George Parker faces a tough task against No.4 seed Cesar Salazar of Mexico, while Richie Fallows faces a thorough examination of his potential when he meets Diego Elias, the world junior champion from Peru who is ranked 37 in the world.
A real battle of Britain features England’s Charles Sharpes against Scotland’s Greg Lobban, while Angus Gillams (England) meets top seed Mohamed Abouelghar, who was last year’s Egyptian national champion!
As so often happens, the draw throws up some unexpected pairings. An all-England battle features Adrian Waller and Ben Coleman, while Olli Tuominen and Henrik Mustonen fly in from Finland … to play each other.
This year’s qualification will include 17-year-old Yusef Forster, grandson of Title Sponsor and University of Hull alumnus and honorary graduate Dr Assem Allam, who will play third seed Nicolas Mueller of Switzerland.
In the women’s qualifying competition, the top three seeds, Tesni Evans (Wales), Sarah Campion (England) and Coline Aumard (France) all receive byes in the first round.
2016 Allam British Open, Hull, England.
Men’s Qualification Draw:
[1] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) v [L] Angus Gillams (ENG)
[L] Richie Fallows (ENG) v [10] Diego Elias (PER)
[8] Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) v Eddie Charlton (ENG)
[L] Ashley Davies (ENG) v [13] Lucas Serme (FRA)
[5] Zahed Mohamed (EGY) v Shaun Le Roux (RSA)
Charles Sharpes (ENG) v [9] Greg Lobban (SCO)
[14] Declan James (ENG) v Joe Lee (ENG)
[L] Yusef Forster (ENG) v [3] Nicolas Mueller (SUI)
[4] Cesar Salazar (MEX) v [L] George Parker (ENG)
Tsz Fung Yip (HKG) v [12] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED)
[16] Olli Tuominen (FIN) v Henrik Mustonen (FIN)
Ben Coleman (ENG) v [6] Adrian Waller (ENG)
[15] Raphael Kandra (GER) v Tom Ford (ENG)
[L] Nathan Lake (ENG) v [7] Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY)
[11] Paul Coll (NZL) v [L] Lyell Fuller (ENG)
[L] Alex Noakes (ENG) v [2] Leo Au (HKG)
Women’s Qualification Draw:
[1] Tesni Evans (WAL) Bye
Vanessa Raj (MAS) v [16] Hollie Naughton (CAN)
[14] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) v Teh Min Jie (MAS)
[L] Elise Lazarus (ENG) v [6] Liu Tsz-Ling (HKG)
[5] Samantha Teran (MEX) v [L] Jazz Hutton (ENG)
Alicia Mead (ENG) v [9] Mariam Metwally (EGY)
[10] Milou van der Heijden (NED) v Birgit Coufal (AUT)
[3] Coline Aumard (FRA) Bye
[4] Olivia Blatchford (USA) v Pooja Chugh (CAN)
Alison Thomson (ENG) v [11] Millie Tomlinson (ENG)
[15] Mayar Hany (EGY) v [L] Alice Green (ENG)
Jessica Davis (ENG) v [8] Nadine Shahin (EGY)
[7] Deon Saffery (WAL) v Nadia Pfister (SUI)
[L] Ellen Cooper (ENG) v [12] Nele Gilis (BEL)
[13] Cyrielle Peltier (FRA) v Hana Ramadan (EGY)
[2] Sarah Campion (ENG) Bye
For details of all match times, please visit: http://allambritishopensquash2016.com/Schedule
Tickets for the 2016 Allam British Squash Championships can be booked online at www.isportstore.com, by telephone on +44 (0) 844 8797 949 or for more information email [email protected]
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