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2010 North American Open
Attracts Stellar Field
The
world’s leading squash stars will be returning to Richmond, Virginia, in
February for the 2010 North American Open. Nine of the world’s top ten
players have confirmed their entry into this spectacular Professional Squash
Association (PSA) Super Series event with a prize fund of almost $100,000.
The
tournament boasts a new title sponsor in Quantitative Investment Management,
based in Charlottesville, Virginia.
The
event is hosted by Virginia Squash and the high-speed action takes place
on the all-glass McWil exhibition court which will be erected in the Millhiser
Gymnasium on the campus of the University of Richmond.
The
tournament runs from February 21-27 and will be preceded by a two-day qualifying
tournament as the sport’s rising stars bid for a coveted place in the main draw.
Tournament Director Gus Cook said: “We are delighted to welcome back to
Richmond so many of the world’s leading players. The quality of the
entertainment provided by our sport’s top athletes is absolutely sensational and
we are fortunate that the current era has so many gifted, talented players who
produce full-on attacking squash at all times.
“Our
reigning champion, Ramy Ashour from Egypt, is a prime example. Egypt is
currently the major force in world squash with three players in the world top
five and all of them will be performing in Richmond."
France’s Gregory Gaultier, who has slipped from one to two in the
December rankings, heads a powerful European contingent including this year’s
Richmond runner-up Nick Matthew, and the 2008 champion James Willstrop.
Matthew recently beat fellow Englishman Willstrop to claim his second British
Open title.
The
only member of the world top ten missing from the current entries is England’s
stylish left-hander Peter Barker, who is nursing an injury but is hoping
to be fit for the tournament.
Cook
added: "This is one of the premier professional squash tournaments in a rapidly
developing North American squash circuit.
“The
players enjoy coming to Richmond and spectators are treated to a week of
exceptional squash in a superb venue.
“It
is a great opportunity for squash enthusiasts or for newcomers to the game who
simply love watching world-class athletes.
“The
North American Open is renowned as being a “fan-friendly” tournament and we look
forward to welcoming squash enthusiasts from all the squash hotbeds here on the
East Coast and from further afield.”
CURRENT ENTRIES INCLUDE (with December '09 rankings):
1
Karim Darwish (Egypt)
2
Gregory Gaultier (France)
3 Amr
Shabana (Egypt)
4
Nick Matthew (England)
5
Ramy Ashour (Egypt)
6
James Willstrop (England)
8
David Palmer (Australia)
9
Thierry Lincou (France)
10
Wael El Hindi (Egypt)
11
Daryl Selby (England)
12
Adrian Grant (England)
13
Alister Walker (England)
14
Laurens Jan Anjema (Netherlands)
15
Cameron Pilley (Australia)
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