Home hero Miguel Rodriguez keen to impress in Bogota
By ANDRES CARLOS – Squash Mad South American Reporter
Eight-time German national squash champion Simon Rösner, the World No.11, has been seeded number one for the up-coming XVII Abierto Colombiano de Squash Club El Nogal Championshp in Bogota, Colombia.
However, home hero Miguel Angel Rodriguez is in his half of the draw and he will be especially keen to do well in front of a passionate local crowd.
The 6ft 3in Rosner, from Paderborn, is eight inches taller than Rodriguez and he will be looking down on the rest of the field as he heads the draw.
This PSA International 50 tournament takes place from August 6 – 9 in the Colombian capital and will see him take on a strong field including Egyptian World No.13 Omar Mosaad and local favourite and World No.14 Rodriguez (right).
“I’m really looking forward to the event especially as Colombia is a country that I really love going to,” said Rösner.
“It’s great to be getting back on court, even though the break hasn’t been that long for me personally this summer, but the most important thing for me is to find a good rhythm first of all.
“Starting the season with a big win would make it a lot easier but that’s not on my mind right now. I will have to take each match one at a time, find my rhythm and enjoy it as much as I can.
“There are some very strong players in the draw and there will be some interesting matches ahead, especially with the tournament taking place at high altitude, so it should be a very good competition.”
Should the top two seeds reach the final, Rosner will be up against another of squash’s giants, Egypt’s Mosaad, who is an inch taller at 6ft 4in.
XVII Abierto Colombiano de Squash Club El Nogal – Draw
[1] Simon Rösner (GER) v [Qualifier]
[WC] Juan Alejandro Cardona (COL) v [7] Mazen Hesham (EGY)
[6] Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Cesar Salazar (MEX) v [3] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
[4] Marwan Elshorbagy (EGY) v Jaymie Haycocks (ENG)
[Qualifier] v [5] Nicolas Mueller (SUI)
[8] Henrik Mustonen (FIN) v [Qualifier]
Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) v [2] Omar Mosaad (EGY)
For more information on the PSA World Tour, visit: www.psaworldtour.com
Picture of Simon Rosner courtesy of PSA