A
scintillating performance from Nicol David saw her triumph
in the finale of the 2015 Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai
Financial Hong Kong Open by defeating in-form Laura Massaro
3-0 to bring the Englishwoman’s 14 match unbeaten streak to
an end and claim an unprecedented 10th consecutive Hong Kong
Open crown in the process.
Competing in her 100th PSA World Tour final the Malaysian
came into the match with the knowledge she hadn’t lost here
since 2004 and played with the confidence and aura that
epitomised her style during a record 109-month streak as
World No.1 as she controlled the court to hit an astounding
30 winners during the 39 minute encounter.
“Winning the title in Hong Kong tonight for the tenth time
means so, so much to me,” said David, who notched up her
80th career title with victory.
“I love playing here and it’s a very special place for me. I
really wanted to win this title and end the year strongly so
winning tonight was extra special. I enjoyed every minute on
court.
“I felt good and I think that was one of my best
performances in quite a while. I know she’s a fighter who
comes back strong but I wanted it so badly today that I
think that was the difference. I wanted to attack from the
start and just give it everything I had to get my hands on
the trophy.
“This tournament has been one of the best I have ever played
and from now on it’s all upwards. If I keep playing the way
I’m playing and performing well then I know titles will
start to come again.”
Massaro, who will become World No.1 in January, said: “It
was a high quality match and I tried to fight for every
point but it was just too much in the end.
“The first game was crucial and it could have been a
different match if I’d taken that one but Nicol was playing
at her best today, and I was a little off my best, and that
was ultimately the difference.”
In
the men’s draw Egypt’s Mohamed Elshorbagy successfully
defended his crown by downing surprise title-challenger
Cameron Pilley 3-0.
The 24-year-old Egyptian, who fell to World No.2 after a
disappointing third round exit at last month’s PSA World
Championship, stuttered at times but ultimately used his big
match experience to his advantage to restrict the
hard-hitting Australian, who defeated World No.7 Simon
Rösner, World No.1 Gregory Gaultier and World No.3 Nick
Matthew en route to the finale.
Elshorbagy edged a closely contested opening game and from
then on enjoyed the ascendency as he took the match and the
title 11-8, 11-6, 11-8.
“Winning a major final is always a great feeling and I
really wanted to come here and defend the title I won last
year,” said Elshorbagy.
“Hong Kong is one of the biggest tournaments and titles on
the tour and there are some great names on that trophy so
it’s an honour to know that my name will be on there beside
them once again.
“Cameron has had a great week, beating Greg and Nick
especially, but I am pleased with how I was able to put it
all together this week and especially tonight. I feel like
I’ve dealt well with the tournament mentally all week and
I’m very happy to win and end the year on a high.”
Historic
Night In Hong Kong As Massaro, David, Elshorbagy And Pilley
Make Finals
A momentous night of semi-final action at the Cathay Pacific
Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Open saw all four victors
celebrate momentous moments in their careers ahead of the
finals.
In
the women’s draw in-form Laura Massaro extended her recent
wining streak on the PSA World Tour to 14 matches after a
stunning display saw her defeat World No.1 Raneem El Welily
and move into a third consecutive PSA World Series
tournament final, where she’ll be hoping to add to the
Delaware Investments U.S. Open and Qatar Classic crowns she
has already collected so far during the 2015/16 season.
The victory, which Massaro wrapped up in comprehensive
fashion after just 33 minutes, was even sweeter for the
32-year-old as it ensures she will now top the World
Rankings for the first time in her career come January 1st.
“I’m really, really happy to be in another World Series
final,” said Massaro. “I’ve never made it to the final at
this tournament so I’m excited for tomorrow.
“I felt like I was in a good place before the match today
and I knew how important it was to get off to a strong start
and that’s exactly what I did. I was very pleased but I
can’t get too excited with the win because there’s still
another match to go and a job to do.
On hearing the news that she will become World No.1 in
January Massaro added: “The World No.1 has been a huge
mountain that I’ve been climbing and it’s certainly come as
a great early Christmas present.
“It means everything to me. I trained hard over the summer
after taking a break and the focus was all about competing
and challenging for major titles. It’s gone better than I
could have expected, winning three titles already, and I
knew that if I could hit my goals of winning titles then the
rankings would take care of itself.”
Massaro will face defending champion Nicol David in the
decider as the Malaysian went one step closer to winning an
unprecedented 10th consecutive Hong Kong Open crown by
ruthlessly dispatching Egypt’s Omneya Abdel Kawy in just 24
minutes - securing a place in what will be the 100th PSA
World Tour final of her career in the process.
“It’s a real feat for any player to beat someone like Omneya
3-0 so that is a great result for me,” said David.
“I feel like I played well today and kept my focus right
through to the end. I have a good record here but that’s not
in my mind. Hong Kong is like a second home to me but I’m
just happy to be playing well and enjoying my squash.
“Laura and I always have big battles and good matches, the
last few have been very close, so hopefully tomorrow will be
another good match.”
In the men’s draw defending champion Mohamed Elshorbagy
emulated the feat of Massaro by defeating compatriot Omar
Mosaad to regain his place as the World No.1 in the process.
Elshorbagy fell to a disappointing third round exit at the
World Championships last week, where Mosaad finished
runner-up, which cost him his place as World No.1 after a
13-month streak but he played with composure and precision
to halt Mosaad’s charge and return to the summit of the
World Rankings.
“I’ve been really happy with how I have played this whole
week,” said Elshorbagy. “Last year after losing the World
Championship final I reacted badly but this year it has been
very different - I was very quiet after that loss last week,
which is unusual for me as I’m an emotional person, but I
just kept my head down and focused on what I need to do
here.
“I hadn’t been enjoying my squash this season. I felt like I
was being forced on court with the pressure but this week I
feel like I want to be on court again and I’m enjoying every
shot and that’s the most important thing for me.
“I came here to do two jobs; reclaim the World No.1 spot and
retain the title. One down and hopefully I will do the other
tomorrow. I’m relaxed, I’m sleeping well and I can’t wait to
play one more major final and do what I can to end the year
on a high.”
Elshorbagy
will face unexpected finalist Cameron Pilley in the title
decider after the hard-hitting Australian picked up from
where he left off in his quarter-final victory over World
No.1 Gregory Gaultier to defeat World No.3 Nick Matthew in
just under an hour to reach his first ever World Series
Final.
A phenomenal fightback in the second game, when he surged
from 10-5 down to force a tiebreak which he took 12-10
courtesy of some thunderous winners, epitomised a
career-defining performance for the 33-year-old.
“I’ve played Nick so many times and I’ve only managed to
beat him twice before - he’s such a tough competitor,” said
Pilley.
“But I guess I just played that little bit better today.
Looking back on the match that second game was a big moment.
The difference from 1-1 and 2-0 is huge so it was maybe a
turning point, but it was just a case of not giving up.
“You get times when you hit a purple patch and are in the
zone and this week seems to be going that way for me.
“It’s the biggest tournament of my career. I’m really
enjoying being out there and playing the way I want to play.
I’ve cleared my mind a bit over the last few weeks and it’s
really paid off but I’m trying not to get too excited.
“In a few weeks when I look back on it I’m sure it will be
great achievement but at the moment I’m not getting ahead of
myself - there’s another match to go and my focus is on
that.”
Pilley Stuns World Champion And World No.1
Gaultier In Hong Kong Quarters
Australian
Cameron Pilley recorded one of the biggest wins of his career as he
dumped reigning World Champion and World No.1 Gregory Gaultier out
of the 2015 Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Open in
straight games at the quarter-final stage to reach the last four of
a PSA World Series tournament for the first time in his career.
The hard-hitting 33-year-old followed up his impressive five-game
second round win over World No.7 Simon Rösner with an accomplished
display against Gaultier, commanding the court as he played with
precision and power to record just his second ever win over the
Frenchman and set up a last four battle with England’s Nick Matthew.
“It’s strange because this whole tournament I haven’t really been
thinking about getting anywhere,” said Pilley.
“I literally took it one match at a time, I didn’t even look at the
draw to see who I’d play after I won my match yesterday and it’s
working, because this is the first time I’ve ever made a World
Series semi-final - after 14 years of trying!
“It was a tough match but I feel like I played exceptionally well.
It didn’t even enter my head that he might be tired - you can’t
think of those things and I’m experienced enough to know that if you
give someone as good as him an opportunity he will take it. But
mentally I think i wanted it more today and I’m really looking
forward to playing in the semis tomorrow.
“I’m trying to stay calm and collected on court - after the
tournament I’m sure I’ll look back on this as a good achievement but
for now I’m just going to practice tomorrow, play tomorrow night,
and see where it goes and hopefully I can play well again.”
Matthew booked his berth courtesy of a polished victory over Tarek
Momen, the man who beat him in the quarter-finals of last week’s
World Championship, while World Championship runner-up Omar Mossad
booked an unlikely semi-final spot after saving six match balls in a
thrilling 102-minute battle with Miguel Angel Rodriguez.
Mossad looked to be heading for an early exit as he lost the opening
two games 3-11 but showed impressive strength of character to come
back and win in dramatic style.
“That was very, very tough but I’m delighted to win in the end and
reach the semi-finals here in Hong Kong for the first time ever,”
said Mosaad, who faces Mohamed Elshorbagy for a place in the final.
“He played so well in the first two games and I was feeling it - I
had a tough match yesterday and a hard week last week at the World
Championship so I just told myself to take it point by point in the
third and see what happens.
“it started to change and I stuck with that approach in the fourth.
I was so tired after that game but I kept telling myself this could
be my last match of the year and just push and push. At 10-5 I
thought it was the end but I somehow got some points in a row.”
In the women’s draw the last four sees World No.1 Raneem El Welily
take on World No.2 Laura Massaro in a match of huge significance for
both players, with the victor all but guaranteed to top the world
rankings come January 1st.
Massaro has been the in-form player so far this season, winning
back-to-back World Series titles at the U.S. Open and Qatar Classic,
but El Welily booked her semi-final spot with a ruthless win over
Amanda Sobhy, taking just 22-minutes to dispatch the American in a
performance that hinted at a return to form for the 26-year-old who
has failed to reach the last four of a PSA World Series tournament
so far in the 2015/16 season.
“I’m hoping for a good match tomorrow and I know it will be tough
because she’s the No.1,” said Massaro.
“We haven’t played since June and I’ve been on a good run lately and
she’s maybe not been at her best so I’m excited. Personally the
pressure is off. Obviously I want to win but I want to play pressure
free because I’ve come into this event with two great wins in Qatar
and US Open.
“I have been closing the gap (on No.1 spot) over the season and I
fee like I’m on a mission right now. I’m on a roll and my game is
heading the way I want to but to be No.1 you have to beat the No.1
so if it doesn’t happen tomorrow then I feel like it will come soon.
I maybe haven’t been able to say that at any point before so that’s
a nice position to be in.”
El Welily said: “I haven’t been playing my best lately so I’ve been
trying to work hard on my game at home and I’m happy that I’ve been
playing better so far this week. Tomorrow will be a tough test,
especially as it will be on a different court, but I definitely want
to win this title so I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
The bottom half of the draw will see defending champion Nicol David
face Omneya Abdel Kawy, where the Malaysian will be aiming to take
another step towards an unprecedented 10th consecutive Hong Kong
Open crown.
“I felt good on court today and I’m looking forward to playing in
the semi-final tomorrow,” said David. “I’m not thinking of my record
here, I’m just focusing on what I need to do on court and I’ll be
giving it my all to reach the final.”
World Champion Gaultier Comes Through Stern Test
To Reach Hong Kong Quarters
Just one week after defeating a resurgent James Willstrop in the
semi-finals of the 2015 World Championship en route to the title
Gregory Gaultier was once again forced to produce some of his best
squash to defeat the towering Englishman in the second round of the
Men’s Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Open today
(Dec 3).
It took the Frenchman over 60 minutes to secure his place in the
quarter-finals of the PSA World Series tournament, one of few titles
to have eluded him during a glittering career, at the expense of
Willstrop, who’s shock victory over Mohamed Elshorbagy during the
World Championship helped Gaultier to top the World Rankings this
month.
The 32-year-old from Aix-en-Provence began impressively, utilising
his pace and power to take advantage of a misfiring Willstrop. ‘The
Marksman’ upped his game in the third as he began to find his range,
firing in pinpoint shots from all areas of the court to reduce the
deficit but Gaultier dug into his reserves to mount a huge challenge
in the fourth game and his doggedness was rewarded when he sealed
the match 11-7, 11-8, 3-11, 11-6.
“That was one of the toughest matches I could have had at this stage
in a tournament and I really had to give my all,” said Gaultier.
“He proved last week at the worlds that he can beat anyone so I knew
I had to be sharp. I had to push myself mentally and physically
especially in the fourth game when I gave everything in the tank to
try and take control of the match away from him.
“I feel a little bit physically drained after winning the World
Championship but mentally I’m still there. I struggled yesterday in
the first round and today was a tough match as well but these kind
of matches can help keep you sharp.
“Even if my body isn’t 100 per cent, mentally I want to finish the
year on a positive note. You can’t be 100 per cent all year round
but you can give your best on court each day and there are always
solutions to problems so I’m going t be giving it my all this week.”
Gaultier will line up against Australian Cameron Pilley, after he
got the better of German Simon Rösner, for a place in the
semi-finals while the man Gaultier lost to in the final of the 2014
edition of the Hong Kong Open, Elshorbagy, progressed to the last
eight without breaking sweat after Indian Saurav Ghosal conceded
their match due to injury.
In
the women’s draw English World No.2 Laura Massaro extended her
current unbeaten streak on the PSA World Tour to 12 matches as she
dispatched Egyptian challenger Heba El Torky 3-0.
Massaro has so far claimed back-to-back PSA World Series titles
during the 2015/16 season, winning at the U.S. Open and Qatar
Classic, and will be hoping to complete an impressive hat trick this
week during the 30th staging of the Hong Kong Open but will face a
stern challenge from her main title rivals Raneem El Welily, the
World No.1, and Nicol David, the World No.3.
“I felt like the match was a bit scrappy at times today,” said
Massaro, who took 34 minutes to complete the 11-9, 11-5, 14-12 win.
“The rallies were short and there was not much rhythm. It was tough
to get through it but I’m really happy to have got a 3-0 win in the
end.
“Coming home after winning in Qatar I had a few days off but then my
mind was back on training and it wasn’t difficult to refocus on
coming here to Hong Kong. I had a good two weeks at home which gave
me plenty of time to get some good training in and I’m feeling good.
“This is a World Series event and as such carries a lot of emphasis
- it’s very important and I’m fully focused on doing as well here as
I can and performing to my best. It’s great to be in the quarters of
another World Series tournament so hopefully I can perform an well
again tomorrow.”
Massaro will face Nouran Gohar in the last eight while El Welily
made her way into the quarter-finals after commanding against Low
Wee Wern, with the Malaysian conceding the match at the end of the
second game.
El Welily will now face sharp shooting American Amanda Sobhy for a
place in the semi-finals, where she could line up against Massaro in
what could be a crucial match in the context of the world rankings
with the victor of that potential bout almost guaranteed to hold the
No.1 status come January 1st.
22-year-old Tsz Fung Yip became the first local player in over 15
years to reach the second round of the Men’s Cathay Pacific Sun Hung
Kai Financial Hong Kong Open, PSA World Series tournament, after
upsetting the odds to defeat Englishman Tom Richards in a gripping
first round encounter.
The World No.59 put in the performance of his career as he
controlled the court against Richards, the current No.23 who
previously ranked as high as No.12, dominating proceedings
throughout a thrilling five-game encounter that saw him become the
first local player to reach the second round since Faheem Khan in
1998.
Yip, who earned his place in the main draw after defeating Mahesh
Mangaonkar in the final round of qualification, could easily have
taken the match in straight-games but saw nerves get the better of
him as he squandered commanding leads in the second and fourth games
- including wasting three match balls in the fourth. But he managed
to regain his composure in the fifth to seal the biggest win of his
career 11-6, 9-11, 11-1, 10-12, 11-9.
“Of course I am very happy to win today as it wasn’t something I
expected to happen,” said Yip.
“To win a match in a big tournament like thais against such a good
player is a huge win for me - iIt’s a great day and I can’t wait to
play in the second round now.
“I had match ball at 10-7 in the fourth and I got very nervous. I
wanted to win as fast as possible and I got too excited. I needed to
go back to the game plan in the fifth and it was very tough to
refocus but I tried to play it one shot at a time and thankfully it
worked out for me.”
Yip will now face Tarek Momen in the second round after the Egyptian
saw off English qualifier Declan James while Hong Kong national
champion Leo Au’s competition came to a close despite impressing in
defeat as he fell to a 3-1 loss to World Champion Gregory Gaultier
on a day that saw all other home hopes crash out of the PSA World
Series tournament.
In the women’s draw all three local representatives were halted out
at the first hurdle, with World No.10 Annie Au the biggest casualty
as she fell to a disappointing 3-1 defeat to New Zealand’s Joelle
King, the former World No.4.
King was composed and controlled throughout the encounter as she
executed a perfect game plan, preventing the dextrous Au from using
her range of drop shots and lobs, hitting with power and precision
to record a 11-6, 11-7, 6-11, 11-6 and move into the second round to
face Indian Joshna Chinappa.
“When you play Annie here you always have to play the crowd as well
and that’s tough,” said King.
“She’s so dangerous, especially on this court, but I think my game
plan worked really well. I managed to keep the ball away from her
weapons and I got off pretty unscathed in the end so I’m happy with
that, I think it was a solid performance, and I’m feeling fresh for
tomorrow and looking forward to the second round.
“I had the injury and missed a lot of time on tour but that’s all
put to bed now. I’m trying to get back to where I was, if not
better, and I feel like I’m on the way top doing that and I feel
like it’s all starting to come together.”
Former World No.1 Rachael Grinham defeated another local player, Ho
Tze-Lok, while defending champion Nicol David began her bid to win a
incredible 10th consecutive Hong Kong Open title with a straight
forward victory over wildcard Liu Tsz-Ling.
David, who dropped to a ten year low of World No.3 in the December
rankings, was in sublime form to see off the spirited challenger in
just 35 minutes and will now line up with national compatriot Delia
Arnold for a place in the quarter-finals.
“I have so many memories here in Hong Kong from winning my first
World Championship title here to when I played my first junior event
when I was 11 so I always get a good buzz being here,” said David.
“I always want to bring my best game to the front when I’m here and
I enjoyed the match today, there was a good buzz from the crowd and
I felt like I played well. She upped her game in the third but I
managed to stick to my game plan and get off in three in the end.
“I’m enjoying playing at the moment and I’m trying to work on my
performances. If I feel good and play well then results will come.
I’m happy to be in the second round and I’m looking forward to
another good game tomorrow.”
1st
Round
Top Half
Serme Stuns Golan In Hong Kong
Opener
French qualifier Lucas Serme pulled off the biggest win of his
career to date as he stunned former World No.5 Borja Golan in the
first round of the 2015 Men’s Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial
Hong Kong Open, PSA World Series tournament, currently taking place
at the Hong Kong Squash centre.
The 23-year-old World No.49 put in a fine performance as he
nullified the Spanish World No.17 in a bruising 74-minute encounter,
utilising all four corners of the court as he came from one game
behind to record an impressive victory that sees him progress to the
second round of a PSA World Series tournament for the first time in
his career, where World Championship runner-up Omar Mossad awaits.
“That’s probably one of the best results I’ve had in my career so
far so I’m just ecstatic with the win,” said Serme.
“I’ve watched a lot of his matches since I was young so I knew his
game and he maybe didn’t know too much about me. I was able to read
him well and I think I frustrated him. I tried not to make many
mistakes and just stick in there during the longer rallies and I
think it was a case of him breaking before me
“It’s a great win for my rankings and a boost for me in terms of
confidence so it’s all positive. and hopefully I can play well again
in the next round.”
Mossad booked his place in the second round with an accomplished
victory over local favourite Max Lee, coming through 12-10, 11-7,
7-11, 11-5, while World No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy rebounded from his
disappointing third round exit at the World Championship with a
straightforward 3-1 victory over Peter Barker, which signalled the
end of the Englishman’s career after he announced this would be his
last competitive tournament.
“Peter is a player I have admired and looked up to since I was a kid
so it was an honour for me to be his last opponent on the PSA World
Tour,” said Elshorbagy foliowing their encounter.
Elsewhere on day one of action there were wins for Daryl Selby,
Mathieu Castagnet, Chris Simpson, Saurav Ghosal and Miguel Angel
Rodriguez while in the women’s draw Malaysian Low Wee Wern
celebrated her comeback to the PSA World Tour after a nine-month
absence with a hard fought victory over Coline Aumard.
A knee injury had prevented the 25-year-old from competing on tour
since February’s Windy City Open and she was given a tough welcome
back by the tenacious Frenchwomen in a gritty 67 minute match. Low
looked to be heading for an early exit when she found herself 2-1
down but managed to force a decisive fifth game and went on to save
three match balls to keep her tournament alive, eventually coming
through 11-7, 4-11, 9-11, 11-5, 14-12.
“I’m still not moving that well because I still have some pain in my
knee,” said Low.
“I had to really slow it down on there because my movement is
hampered. I was a little lucky in the end but it’s great to get a
win - it’s very pleasing.
“Once you’re an athlete you always want to win and compete. I’ve
missed so much and I don’t want to miss out on any more.”
Low is joined in the second round by World No.1 and No.2 Raneem El
Welily and Laura Massaro, after they eased through their opening
encounters at the Hong Kong Squash Centre while there were also wins
for Jenny Duncalf, Amanda Sobhy, Nouran Gohar, Emily Whitlcok and
Heba El Torky.
Home
Trio Upset Seedings In Hong Kong Open Qualification
20-year-old local player Ho Tze-Lok, the lowest ranked player in the
competition at World No.245, delighted home support as she upset the
seedings in the final round of qualification at the 2015 Women’s
Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Open to reach the
first round of the PSA World Series tournament.
Tze-Lok downed Japanese World No.35 Misaki Kobayashi in
straight-games to earn a place against former World No.1 Rachael
Grinham in the main draw of the prestigious tournament, celebrating
its 30th anniversary this year, while another local player, Vanessa
Chu, also upset the seedings to earn a first round berth with
victory over Milou van der Heijden.
In the men’s draw Tsz Fung Yip added his name to the list of
surprise local victors after downing Indian Mahesh Mangaonkar 3-0 to
set up a first round clash with England’s Tom Richards which he will
be eyeing with optimism.
As a result there will now be local interest in five of the Women’s
first round matches with Chu and Tze-Lok joining Annie Au, Joey Chan
and Wildcard Liu Tsz-Ling in the 32-strong draw while Fung Yip
completes a trio of local stars in the Men’s draw, joining Leo Au
and Max Lee.
Egypt’s Ramy Ashour has withdrawn from the upcoming 2015 Cathay
Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Open, which gets
underway on December 1st, due to a hamstring injury.
The 28-year-old has struggled with recurring hamstring issues
for the past 18-months and suffered his latest setback during
the semi-final of last week’s Men’s World Championship.
As a result England’s Adrian Waller moves into the main draw of
the PSA World Series tournament automatically to occupy the
space vacated by the former World No.1 while Miguel Angel
Rodriguez and Mathieu Castagnet both move up the seedings.
England’s
Peter Barker To Retire After Hong Kong Open
Former World No.5 Peter Barker has announced his retirement from
squash after more than 13 years competing on the international
scene.
The 32-year-old, who turned pro in 2002, is retiring due to
persistent injury and will formally bow out following next
week’s Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Open
2015.
“I think it has been apparent for a few months now that my
announcement to retire has been coming,” said Barker.
“I’ve been struggling with a knee injury for some time that's
just become more and more problematic. I'm obviously
disappointed to make this decision a year or two earlier than
I’d wanted but in the same vein it feels the right time.
“I'm very positive and excited about the next chapter of my life
and delighted that I’ll have the opportunity to continue to work
with England Squash. It means a great deal to me to stay
involved with the game at a professional level and to hopefully
give something back to the programme that’s supported me so well
over the course of my career.
“There are so many people that I could thank that have helped to
shape me, both on and off the court and even tried to control my
emotions and temper. In particular, thank you to my wife, Alex,
and my family for their continued love and support. Thank you to
Wilson, my sponsor for over a decade, to Carts for his guidance
and wisdom these past 20 years, and to Robbo for rekindling my
passion for the game.”
Born in London, Barker turned professional in 2002 and reached a
career high World Ranking of 5. A consistent and popular face on
the PSA World Tour Barker played over 400 matches on tour,
winning 16 PSA titles, clocked up 102 caps for England and won a
silver medal in the 2014 Commonwealth Games Mixed Doubles
alongside Alison Waters and a bronze in 2014 (Glasgow) and 2010
(Delhi) individuals.
England National Coach Chris Robertson, said: “Peter will
rightly be remembered as an England great on and off the court.
On court, Peter was technically proficient and tactically
astute, yet his pride, passion and discipline made him the
ultimate competitor.
“Off court, he’s been instrumental in driving the winning
culture throughout the programme. For our coaching team we
couldn’t be prouder of his achievements and the legacy he’s
clearly left behind."
Barker will now dedicate some of his time to supporting the
development of England Squash players as a Performance
Consultant.
Performance Director, Tom Duggan added, “Peter’s presence in any
England team has always been a reassuring sight as you’ve always
known the level of performance and commitment that he will give
to the cause. I’m delighted that Peter will be continuing his
long association with England Squash as a Performance Consultant
from January.
“His work ethic, no-nonsense approach and knowledge of what it
takes to win will be crucial as we look to develop a new
generation of world-leading players and I’m looking forward to
seeing the positive impact Peter can have with some of our
younger Senior and England Academy players.”