Injury Woes Strike Bermuda World Open
Posted by Tom Quinn on 21-Nov-2007Categories: News Comments: [comments closed]
Injury problems have caused three seeds to withdraw from the Endurance World Open Bermuda 2007 Squash Championship, the $175,000 PSA Tour event which gets underway on the island on Sunday (25 November).Ramy Ashour, the world No2 from Egypt, is the highest-ranked casualty. The 20-year-old from Cairo injured his left foot in the Qatar Classic earlier this month. A calf injury has also led to the withdrawal of compatriot Karim Darwish, the world No8.
Spain’s Borja Golan will also miss the PSA Tour calendar’s most important event after sustaining an injury in last week’s Santiago Open at his home club. Furthermore Englishman Stacey Ross, the world No41, has also pulled out of the 2007 World Open.
“It is a terrible shame that Ramy, Karim, Borja and Stacey have been forced to withdraw under these circumstances,” said Tournament Director Ross Triffitt. “Our sympathies go out to them, as it is never good news to hear of a player suffering an injury and I’m sure they will be disappointed to be missing the World Open Championship.”
A revised draw has elevated France’s world No3 Gregory Gaultier, winner of this year’s British Open, to No2 seed. English players also benefit – with James Willstrop promoted to fourth seed, and Nick Matthew and Lee Beachill acquiring seedings within the top eight – at 7th and 8th, respectively. Furthermore, Londoner Adrian Grant becomes the 16th seed.
These changes have the effect of bringing Canada’s world No27 Shahier Razik, France’s world No28 Renan Lavigne and England’s Joey Barrington, the world No29, into the main draw.
It also means a change of opponent for Bermuda’s wild card entry James Stout, who is now drawn against 10th seed Stewart Boswell, the former world No4 from Australia. They will play the second match on Opening Night, Sunday 25th November.
“It is not unusual for several players to have to drop out major championships due to injury because squash is an exceptionally physical game demanding tremendous fitness,” added Triffitt. “In order to compete in the World Open, these players really have to be at the peak of fitness.
“Players have started arriving on the Island, and current World Open champion – David Palmer of Australia, who makes his second home in Bermuda – has already visited the venue and declared it to be spectacular. The 1400-seat specially-built temporary see-through stadium sits on the magnificent Fairmont Southampton hotel property overlooking Horseshoe Bay and the Island’s picturesque South Shore.
For more information about the Endurance World Open Bermuda 2007 Squash Championship, check the official website at www.squashworldopen.com
[1] Amr Shabana (EGY) v Renan Lavigne (FRA)
[10] Stewart Boswell (AUS) v James Stout (BER)
[5] Thierry Lincou (FRA) v Qualifier
[15] Ong Beng Hee (MAS) v Qualifier
[3] David Palmer (AUS) v Qualifier
[11] Peter Barker (ENG) v Qualifier
[8] Lee Beachill (ENG) v Alex Gough (WAL)
[9] Wael El Hindi (EGY) v Qualifier
[14] Olli Tuominen (FIN) v Qualifier
[7] Nick Matthew (ENG) v Joey Barrington (ENG)
[12] Mohammed Abbas (EGY) v Cameron Pilley (AUS)
[4] James Willstrop (ENG) v Laurens Jan Anjema (NED)
[13] Mohd Azlan Iskandar (MAS) v Shahier Razik (CAN)
[6] John White (SCO) v Qualifier
[16] Adrian Grant (ENG) v Hisham Mohd Ashour (EGY)
[2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v Qualifier
- ENDS –
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Issued on behalf of: PSA
For further information: Howard Harding
Tel: (44) 1737-243333 or (mobile) (44) 7773-325130
WSQ 4220 Email: HowHard@aol.com 21 November 2007
Court Build – Day 3
Posted by Tom Quinn on 19-Nov-2007Categories: News Comments: [add a comment]
The construction of the ASB glass court continued on Sunday with the upper glass panels of the front and side walls, along with the gantry for the lighting which runs either side of the court. Lifting these reinforced glass panels required several hands and an Easylift to position them.
Work also continued on the second tent which will house the Reception, Ticket Desk, Press Room and Player Enclosure. Both tents have been provided by Regal Tent Productions.
The glass floor and back wall for the court will be installed Monday.
Again – many thanks goes out to the volunteers who helped out over the weekend.
Court Build – Day 2
Posted by Tom Quinn on 17-Nov-2007Categories: News Comments: 1 comment so far
The foundation for the ASB glass court in place,it is now time to construct the glass walls.
On a beautiful Saturday morning, volunteers met at 7am for breakfast before arriving at the venue to start working with the thick glass panels which make up the walls and floor of the ASB court. The temperature was a balmy 22°C / 71°F – not bad for mid-November. The only issue is that this makes the environment inside the main venue – the Regal Tent Productions clear span tent – very hot indeed.
The initial effort focused on the back wall, lower glass panels and “fins”. Tomorrow it becomes more difficult as an easylift will have to be used for the panels higher up the court.
Court Build Underway
Posted by Tom Quinn on 17-Nov-2007Categories: News Comments: [comments closed]
The build of the ASB show court began today, First the 1000 pounds crates that contain the glass for the center court had to be unloaded from the trucks – heavy work requiring great care. Then the court foundation was put down. Tomorrow the glass walls will start to go up. Bear in mind that 2 days ago this was just an outdoor car park.
Venue Build Commences
Posted by Tom Quinn on 15-Nov-2007Categories: News Comments: [comments closed]
The build of the venue for the Endurance World Open Bermuda 2007 has started at the Fairmont Southampton, situated on the beautiful South Shore of Bermuda. Contractors and volunteers are working together to construct this amazing venue from scratch.
The venue is located at Turtle Hill, a high point overlooking the ocean, and Regal Tent Productions have provided the tent structures, including an impressive clearspan tent for the main venue and show court.
Installation of the glass court, provided by ASB, will commence tomorrow (Friday Nov 16th).
