25-Aug-04:
Nicol faces tough
opener in Boston

World number one Peter Nicol faces a tough opener in the defence of his US Open title, as he meets Australia's Anthony Ricketts in a repeat of their gruelling English Open clash in August.

Colleen Turner reports from Boston
 

BOSTON ­ August, 2004 ­ The world's top eight squash players will collide in Boston when the main draw action of the 2004 U.S. Open Squash Championships kicks off at Symphony Hall this September 18 ­ 21, 2004. Four additional qualifiers will be determined when Harvard University's Murr Center hosts early round action beginning September 15.

In a shocker at the Mamut English Open earlier this August , 32-year-old Simon Parke (England, 35th) bested number-one-ranked Peter Nicol in the semis. Nicol, proving even the best can have a bad day, showed glimpses of his usual finesse, but was unable to take it all the way. Fellow Englishman and number-two-ranked Lee Beachill ultimately took the title, beating Parke, the qualifier-who-could, in just 84 minutes.

Newcomers to the US Open, Egypt's own Amr Shabana (7th) and Omar Elborolossy (14th) will make their debut at Symphony Hall this September. Both have been playing strong, Shabana recently reached the quarterfinals at the Catella Swedish and Bermuda Opens, as well as the PSA Qatar Masters earlier this year and Elborolossy easily took the title at May's German Open.

The pace promises to be fast and furious, with the change to a new 11-point scoring system, tested by the PSA in May's Brit Insurance Super Series Finals in London, and to be formally launched later this month. All matches will be played on the Official PSA Tournament Glass Court from McWil Courtwall and feature the latest technology, as well enhanced lighting for better viewing and integrated digital scoreboards for spectator pleasure.

With prime seating for 1,200, the U.S. Open at Symphony Hall is one of the largest squash venues in the world. Spectators can enjoy all the action from custom-built arena seating on the floor surrounding the court, as well as from additional seats available in the first and second balcony of Symphony Hall.

Tickets start at just $25 ($15 for students and children) and are available by calling 877.524.5685.

SCHEDULE
Sat, Sep 18, 6:00 p.m. ­ 11:00 p.m., First Round
Sun, Sep 19, 1:00 p.m. ­ 6:00 p.m., Quarterfinals
Mon, Sep 20, 7:30 p.m. ­ 10:00 p.m., Semifinals
Tue, Sep 21, 7:30 p.m. ­ 10:00 p.m., Ladies Exhib. & Finals

Tournament sponsors for the 2004 U.S. Open Squash Championships include Lehman Brothers; MARSH; Boston Racquet Club; WBUR 90.9 FM and Dover Rug Company. The event is owned by the United States Squash Racquets Association and operated under license by Event Engine, Inc.

 


Nicol wins in 2003

First round
draw:


[1] Peter Nicol (Eng)
Anthony Ricketts (Aus)

[8] Nick Matthew (Eng)
Qualifier

[3] Thierry Lincou (Fra)
Qualifier

[6] Jonathon Power (Can)
Omar Elborolossy (Egy)

[5] John White (Sco)
Qualifier

[4] David Palmer (Aus)
James Willstrop (Eng)

[7] Amr Shabana (Egy)
Joe Kneipp (Aus)

[2] Lee Beachill (Eng)
Qualifier
 

FULL DRAW

 


Squash @ Symphony Hall