Malcolm's Hong Kong Quiz
Question-master Malcolm Willstrop challenges your
prediction skills for the Men's event ... the winner gets a
top-of-the range racket, and we'll aim for some more prizes
from Hong Kong ...
Try the women's quiz too
|
09-Oct:
Matthew Out
An ankle injury sustained in last week's Men's World Team
Championship in Denmark has led England number one Nick
Matthew to pull out of next week's Cathay Pacific Gale Well
Hong Kong Open, the fifth PSA Super Series event of the
year.
Ranked five in the world and the top European in the PSA world
list, Matthew had been enjoying the best form of his career. In
July, the 29-year-old from Sheffield won the gold medal in the
World Games for the first time, then last month claimed the
prestigious British Open crown for the second time.
Leading defending champions England in a qualifying tie against
Germany in Odense, Matthew twisted his ankle midway through the
match - and was unable to take further part in the championship.
Runner-up in 2004, Matthew would have been making his sixth
appearance in the popular Hong Kong event, now in its 23rd year.
"I knew
it wasn't as bad as when I injured my right ankle over two years
ago – but it was still pretty nasty.
"It was incredibly frustrating having to sit out the rest of the
world teams. I now know how the coaches feel, but at least
they're expecting not to play!"
"I've never been one to dwell on these things – I must try and
use it to my advantage. It might be a blessing. As long as I can
get back on court on the next two weeks, I should be OK for the
World Open in Kuwait.
"We've got a busy schedule coming up, so at least there are
plenty of opportunities to make up for not playing in Hong Kong.
I'm as confident as I can be for the worlds ..."
Matthew's
withdrawal moves fellow Yorkshireman James Willstrop into
the event's top eight seeds - and he now meets Malaysian Ong
Beng Hee - and elevates Finland's Olli Tuominen to 16th
seed.
The revised schedule also brings Englishman Joey
Barrington into the main draw - where he faces ninth-seeded
compatriot Adrian Grant.
Full Men's Draw
|