Young superstar bypasses Dunlop British Open for Bermuda
Posted by Ross Triffitt on 25-Sep-2007Categories: News Add Trackback
There were surprises aplenty during the just concluded Dunlop British Open 2007 Squash Championships, one of the most prestigious titles in professional squash. But perhaps the biggest surprise of all was the absence of the super-talented young Egyptian, Ramy Ashour, currently ranked #2 in the world, who had announced his intention to skip the British Open to pace himself for the Endurance World Open Bermuda 2007 Squash Championship being played here at the Fairmont Southampton in November.
The editor of Squashplayer magazine, Ian McKenzie, describes 20 year old Ramy Ashour as, “the hottest player to hit squash in a generation” and there is no doubt that all eyes will be on this amazing young star as he seeks to seize the world title in Bermuda.
Tournament Director, Ross Triffitt, has confirmed Ashour’s entry in the Endurance World Open Bermuda 2007 Squash Championship.
Ashour is truly the sport’s “new kid on the block” having proved his star quality when he became the youngest ever World Junior Champion in 2004 - at the age of 16. He went on to win the World Junior Championship a second time in 2006, making him the first person in history to do so. To undersore his meteoric rise in the squash world, BSRA spokesman, Roger Sherratt, points out, “Last year Ramy was not even eligible for the Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters 2006 because he was not ranked in the top 32, but he’s now ranked #2 in the world and is seen as a threat to all the top players - with very good reason.”
In April 2007 Ramy shocked the squash world when he claimed the two biggest titles of the year - the $200,000 Sheikha Al Saad Kuwait Open, and the $120,000 Qatar Classic - defeating both David Palmer (world #3) and Abr Shabana (world #1) in the process. He has already won four PSA titles this year.
Even without the presence of Ashour, this year’s Dunlop British Open proved to be full of surprises. Defending champion, Nick Matthew of England was beaten by the world #1 ranked Egyptian, Amr Shabana, who then lost in the semi-final to the brilliant young
Frenchman, Gregory Gaultier, while the current World Open Champion, Bermuda resident, David Palmer lost to another Frenchman, Thierry Lincou, to set up an all French final, which was won emphatically by Gregory Gaultier 3-1.
Gaultier (currently ranked world #4) is excited about returning to Bermuda. He told BSRA squash spokesman Roger Sherratt, , “The World Open title is the most important goal I’ve been thinking of since I started squash. Bermuda is a magic place and having this tournament there makes it even more special.”
Both Gaultier and Lincou have played previously in Bermuda and are very popular with local squash fans, but they will be casting a watchful eye over Ramy Ashour as he prepares to battle it out for the right to be crowned World Open Champion here in Bermuda.
For more information about the Endurance World Open Bermuda 2007 Squash Championships check their website at www.squashworldopen.com
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