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
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