08-Feb-14:
Darwish leads Egyptian charge
Alan Thatcher reports
 EGYPTIAN
legend Karim Darwish makes his debut appearance in next
month’s star-studded Canary Wharf Squash Classic.
Darwish, the 32-year-old current world No.8, is one of the most
stylish players in the game. He is one of five top-ten players
in the draw for this PSA World Tour International 50 event which
takes place at the East Wintergarden from March 24-28.
Former world number one Darwish, from Cairo, will be aiming to
become the first Egyptian winner of London’s favourite squash
tournament. Tickets sold out last week and organisers are
predicting one of the most entertaining competitions in the
event’s 11-year history.
 Darwish
is joined in the draw by two other Egyptian aces, Omar Mosaad
and Karim Abdel Gawad. Mosaad is placed 13 in the PSA
world rankings with Gawad four spots below him.
Mosaad, one of the tallest players on the PSA World Tour, has a
phenomenal reach and possesses a powerful, attacking style.
Gawad has a more slender physique but is no less ruthless and
this week celebrated his seventh PSA title by beating former
England international Alister Walker, now representing Namibia,
in the final of the Pittsburgh Open.
The Canary Wharf Classic follows a run of major events in
America, with England’s top two seeds Nick Matthew and
reigning champion James Willstrop keen to hit peak form
for the event.
Tournament Director Tim Garner said: “We are delighted
to welcome back Nick and James, and local favourites Peter
Barker and Daryl Selby make it four Englishmen from
the world top ten.
“James won his fourth Canary Wharf title last year, and although
Nick was disappointed to lose in the semi-finals he used that as
a springboard for a great run of form later in the year that
took him to his third world title in Manchester.
“The quality of the draw this year is outstanding with three
players who have been world number one and six who are or have
been their national number one.”
Adding international flavour to the event are German No.1
Simon Rosner, Colombia’s incredibly athletic Miguel Angel
Rodriguez, and India’s Saurav Ghosal. Londoner
Adrian Grant makes it five Englishmen in the main draw,
with the wild card being awarded to Alan Clyne as a major
boost ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
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TICKETS
With all
tickets sold out, a waiting list is being set up should any
tickets be returned. To add your name to this list, please email
cw@eventis-sports.com
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