|
22-Apr-08:
Egyptian stars Ashour & Shabana
to compete in Dunlop British Open
Egyptian squash
stars Amr Shabana and Ramy Ashour - ranked one and two
in the world, respectively - have confirmed their participation in
the 2008 Dunlop British Open Squash Championships, the
longest-established and most prestigious event in world squash which
will take place first time in
Liverpool
next month.
Widely regarded as
the 'Wimbledon' of Squash, the Dunlop British Open - Liverpool
2008 will be staged at the city's new Echo Arena from
8-12 May following qualifying and early rounds at the Liverpool
Cricket Club.
Battles between
Shabana and Ashour have become the most sought-after spectacle on
the international squash circuit. The pair contested yesterday's
(Sunday) final of the 5-star Hurghada International in Egypt
- and did not disappoint the capacity crowd surrounding the
all-glass court on the promenade of the country's Red Sea resort.
Shabana, who this
month celebrated his 25th successive month at the top of
the men's world rankings, twice levelled the match after his
prodigiously-talented 20-year-old opponent took early leads. But it was Ashour who ultimately prevailed, upsetting his 'elder
statesman' opponent 11-10 (2-0), 9-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-10 (2-0) in 79
minutes in their fourth successive meeting in a PSA Tour event
final.
Ashour will make his
maiden appearance in the British Open in Liverpool: "Injury
prevented me from playing last year and therefore this year's
British Open will be extra special," said the Cairo-based Egyptian.
"English crowds have always given me a lot of support, and having
not played in England since winning the ATCO Super Series Finals
last August, I'm really looking forward to playing two back-to-back
events," added Ashour, who will contest the British Open in
Liverpool before defending his ATCO
Super Series Finals title at the
Broadgate Arena in London from the 19-23 May.
Following an
enforced two-month injury break, Ashour capped a successful return
to the Men's World Tour in January by capturing the Tournament of Champions title in New York, then the
Canadian Classic in Toronto in February. The inclusion of the
young Egyptian will ensure that the Dunlop British Open -
Liverpool 2008 will be one of the most exciting and eagerly
contested championships in its illustrious history.
Shabana, who won his
third World Open title in December, has yet to win the
British Open crown - the only major trophy to have eluded him so far
in his illustrious career.
"I’m really looking
forward to the British Open,” said the 28-year-old. “For some
reason, I’ve never really performed to my best at the event and I’m
determined to give it my best shot this year. Its amazing when you
look back at the great players who have won the British Open and it
would be fantastic to have my name on the trophy alongside the likes
of Jonah Barrington, Geoff Hunt, Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan,”
added Shabana.
Shabana's 25th month at the top of the world rankings celebrated
the longest unbroken run as world No1 since the legendary Pakistani
Jansher Khan more than ten years ago.
"Amr’s record over
the past three years has been incredible and it is therefore even
more surprising that he still has not won the British Open,” said
Tournament Promoter Paul Walters
of internationalSPORTgroup.
"Like all of the
Egyptian players, Amr has a real respect for the history of the
sport and it will be fascinating to see how he is able to translate
that into his challenge for the title this year. Not only is he the
most consistent player on the Men’s World Tour, but he is arguably
the most exciting to watch and certainly one of the most
charismatic. His entry in this year’s championship will undoubtedly
prove a major attraction for all spectators in Liverpool and is
further testament to the highest regard that the players hold for
the championships."
Leading challengers
will include three Egyptians, Amr Shabana, Ramy Ashour and
Karim Darwish; two Frenchmen, Gregory Gaultier, the
defending champion, and Thierry Lincou;
an Australian, David Palmer, and England's Nick Matthew,
the 2006 British Open Champion, and
James Willstrop.
|
