Former world number one tops the bill in new PSA $25k event
By Squash Mad Reporter
Former World No.1 James Willstrop will top the bill when the 2016 Wimbledon Club Squash Squared Open, PSA M25 tournament, gets under way at the Wimbledon Club on March 15.
The 32-year-old, who topped the World Rankings for 11 months in 2012, will take on wild card Robert Downer in the first round of the tournament which also sees maverick Egyptian Mazen Hesham, the World No.18 who is yet to make a PSA World Tour appearance in 2016 due to injury, occupy the number two seeding.
Illness forced Willstrop to withdraw from the recent Swedish Open but he is staying south after competing in the Canary Wharf Classic from March 7-11. By coincidence, the Canary Wharf qualifiers are also in Wimbledon, at the neighbouring Wimbledon Rackets an Fitness Club.
The 16-man draw at the club popularly known as Wimbledon Lakeside also includes some of the brightest stars in British squash such as Declan James, Charles Sharpes, Joe Lee and Ben Coleman (the Canary Wharf wild card) in contention for honours in what promises to be a fascinating four days of action.
“We’re delighted to have such strong entrants to the 2016 Wimbledon Club Squash Squared Open and look forward to watching what looks certain to be an enthralling tournament unfold in front of us,” said tournament promoter Stacey Ross.
“The depth of talent competing makes for a mouth-watering competition and I am certain that all fans attending will be treated to some blistering action and I am also delighted to see this year’s event supporting Squash Squared – the UK’s first Urban Squash project.
“Squash Squared is the UK’s first combined squash and education initiative pioneered and supported by The Wimbledon Club in partnership with the Sacred Heart Primary School, Battersea, which provides motivated children from low-income families with weekly squash coaching and extra-curricular academic support to help them to fulfil their potential.”
The Wimbledon Club Squash Squared Open 2016, Main Draw:
First Round:
[1] James Willstrop (ENG) v [WC] Robert Downer (ENG)
Jens Schoor (GER) v [7] Joe Lee (ENG)
[6] Ben Coleman (ENG) v [Qualifier]
[Qualifier] v [4] Declan James (ENG)
[3] Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) v [Qualifier]
[Qualifier] v [5] Shaun Le Roux (RSA)
[8] Charles Sharpes (ENG) v Henrik Mustonen (FIN)
Farhan Zaman (PAK) v [2] Mazen Hesham (EGY)
Tickets for the tournament are available to purchase here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-wimbledon-club-squash-squared-open-2016-tickets-20674074714