Disappointment for fans as Egyptian artist is forced to withdraw from British Open
By NATHAN CLARKE
Persistent injury problems have forced the 2013 Allam British Open Champion Ramy Ashour to withdraw from the 2015 tournament, which gets under way in Hull on Monday May 11.
The 28-year-old Egyptian has been ruled out after injuring his Achilles tendon, the latest setback in an injury-plagued period for the 2014 World Champion who only recently returned to competitive action on the PSA World Tour following a four-month absence due to a knee-meniscus problem.
As a result of Ashour’s withdrawal, fellow Egyptian and four-time World Champion Amr Shabana moves up to occupy the number four seeding and will take on England’s Chris Simpson in the opening round, while Botswanan Alister Walker finds himself elevated into the main draw to take on Marwan Elshorbagy.
There’s also movement for Simon Rösner, the German World No.7, as he will now face a qualifier in the first round.
Swiss national champion Nicolas Mueller, the World No.22, has also been ruled out due to a knee-injury and his absence means that Frenchman Gregoire Marche moves into the main draw automatically from qualification, with Egyptian Mazen Hesham moving up in the qualification draw to occupy the top seeding.
2015 Allam British Open – Revised First Round Draw:
The 2015 Allam British Open gets underway at the Airco Arena, Hull from Monday May 11 – Sunday May 17 with tickets available to purchase via Ticketmaster: http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/British-Open-Squash-Championships-tickets/artist/1686792?SREF=TWArtist
Picture by PATRICIA LYONS