The main draw of the Charlottesville Open, PSA M35 tournament starts on Wednesday September 16 with six of the world’s top 30 players set to take part.

World No.11 Karim Abdel Gawad is the favourite to take the crown and is well placed to do so given that he is currently celebrating a career-high World Ranking in addition to reaching the semi-final of the AJ Bell British Grand Prix last week.

The 24-year-old won five PSA World Tour titles in a successful 2014/15 season and appears at his second tournament of the new campaign as he hopes to continue that form.

Gawad goes up against wildcard Joe Chapman in the opening round with the two set to face off for the first time in their careers.

Stephen Coppinger is looking for his first PSA World Tour title of 2015 but will be in good spirits after matching his career-high World No.14 ranking.

The South African reached the semi-final of the Life Time Fitness Houston Open in his last event across the pond but will be hoping for better things in Charlottesville. The dangerous Ryan Cuskelly is his opponent in round one.

Cameron Pilley reached the final of the Australian Open last month but, after losing to Paul Coll in a shock upset, was prevented from winning his first PSA World Tour title for nearly five years.

The Yamba-born 32-year-old has a wealth of experience though and holds the ability to challenge for the crown but must get past Arturo Salazar if he is to make it into the quarter-final.

Last year’s winner Alister Walker is also in action and takes on Campbell Grayson in the first round. The Botswanan turns 33-years-old on the day of the final and will be hoping to celebrate his birthday in style by taking the title.

Main Draw – PSA M35, Charlottesville Open, Charlottesville, United States
[1] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v [WC] Joe Chapman (IVB)
Ali Farag (EGY) v [6] Cesar Salazar (MEX)
[8] Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) v [Q] Shahier Razik (CAN)
[Q] Arturo Salazar (MEX) v [3] Cameron Pilley (AUS)
[4] Alister Walker (ENG) v Campbell Grayson (NZL)
[Q] Christopher Gordon (USA) v [5] Tom Richards (ENG)
[7] Alan Clyne (SCO) v [Q] Todd Harrity (USA)
[Q] Alfredo Avila (MEX) v [2] Stephen Coppinger (RSA)