06-Aug-08:
Willstrop heads men’s field
for Forexx Dutch Open

The organizers of the Forexx Dutch Open Squash 2008 have secured a fantastic entry for the men’s draw of the biggest squash tournament in mainland Europe this year, which takes place from September 2-7 in the renowned Frans Otten Stadion in Amsterdam.

World number three James Willstrop heads the entry list of the PSA three-star championship, which also includes his compatriot Nick Matthew (7), Dutch champion Laurens Jan Anjema (15), Australia’s Cameron Pilley (18), the always spectacular and entertaining John White (19) and the 18-year old Aamir Atlas Khan (24) from Pakistan, who finished runner-up in the World Junior Championships in Zurich and hopes to lead Pakistan to the team title later today.

The 24-year old Willstrop starts his 2008/2009 campaign in the Dutch capital after a remarkable run of results during the end of 2007 and the first six months of 2008 saw him shoot up the rankings to his current position of number three. The Englishman managed to win four of the last seven PSA tournaments he played and also narrowly lost out in the final of two of the other events, including the Dunlop British Open where he lost a nail biting 5-setter against David Palmer.

In the same period Willstrop claimed the British National title for the second year in a row and was part of the successful English team which became both European and World Champions. The event will mark Matthew's return to action after a long injury lay-off - the last competitive match he played was against Willstrop in the final of the English Open in December, which was the start of the Englishman's sensational run.

"We are delighted with the men’s field for the Forexx Dutch Open," said tournament director Tommy Berden. "Obviously we are very proud that James and Nick decided to play our event, as they are two of the best players in the world. But we are also extremely pleased that Laurens Jan, Cameron and John will be there to challenge for the Forexx Dutch Open title.

"In particular Whitey’s style of play will definitely excite all our spectators, especially because he used to live in the Netherlands for many years. On top of that we have two more Dutch players, Dylan Bennett and Piedro Schweertman, in the main draw as well as a few younger guys who can have a crack in qualifying," said the former Dutch champion and world number 22.

Yesterday WISPA announced a world class line-up for the Forexx Dutch Open Squash 2008. With 21 out of the 25 highest-ranked players in the world entered, including world number one Nicol David, Dutch ace Natalie Grinham (2), World Champion Rachael Grinham (3), America’s Natalie Grainger (4) and former World Champion Vanessa Atkinson (9), the Forexx Dutch Open shapes up to be the strongest women’s event so far this year.