Rebecca Chiu to play combative
namesake in Women's World Open
Hong Kong Number 1 Rebecca Chiu has been drawn to play World No 9 Rebecca Macree of England in the first round of the Credit Suisse Privilege Women's World Open.
Well known for her aggressive style of play, Macree will pose a physical as well as mental challenge for Chiu, who will require all her speed and agility to play around a taller opponent with a bigger swing and a tendency to dispute decisions.
"When I am on court and when I am training I am at work and focussed - I am Rebecca Macree. But when I come off court I am Becky, a different person,” Macree once said.
Chiu, currently ranked No 17 in the world, admitted it would be a tough game. “Rebecca is physically taller and she has more experience, but I hope to build on the hard games I've played on the circuit recently and do well,” she said.
Another exciting first round match at the Credit Suisse Privilege Women's World Open will feature a battle of junior champions, with the 2-times Junior World Champion Nicol David of Malaysia facing off against the equally talented current junior champion Omneya Abdel Kawy of Egypt.
The battle will pitch the retrieving grace of twenty-year old David against the daring shotmaking of the eighteen year-old Kawy – it will be a contrast of style not to be missed.
The Credit Suisse Privilege Women's World Open will be held on December 7-13. The early rounds will be played at the Hong Kong Squash Centre; the semi-finals and final will be contested on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, outside the Cultural Centre.
All about the venue
from left: Elise Ng, Mr. Herman Hu JP, Vice Chairman of HKSDB & Chairman of Major Sports Events Committee, Mr. Dallas Reid, Managing Director of Credit Suisse Privilege, Mr. David Mui, Chairman of HK Squash, Hon. Timothy Fok SBS JP, President of SF & OC of HK, China, Mr. Johnny Woo JP, Assistant Director (Leisure Services), LCSD, Rebecca Chiu and Christina Mak