Boasting the highest prize fund for six years, the 'Wimbledon of Squash' has attracted star-studded fields - led by Egypt's world number one Amr Shabana in the men's PSA Tour Super Series Silver championship, and world number one Nicol David who will be seeking her third successive title in the women's WISPA World Tour Gold tournament.
The Dunlop British Open - Manchester 2007 will also feature the sport's most successful annual Masters Championships, comprising 13 age-group events from Over-35 to Over-70.
Women's favourite Nicol David is enjoying a rich vein of form. Since winning the British Open in 2005, the 24-year-old from Penang has competed in 19 WISPA World Tour events - reaching the finals on all but one occasion!
David, who celebrated her 17th month as world number one this month, takes on England's Laura Lengthorn-Massaro in the first round - and is expected to go on to face long-time rival Natalie Grinham, the world No2 from Australia, in the final. But the draw suggests that Grinham may first have to overcome older sister Rachael Grinham in the semi-finals - reversing the outcome of the siblings' last meeting in the Dutch Open earlier this month.
Domestic interest in the women's event is led by Lincolnshire's world No4 Tania Bailey, who faces Dutch opponent Annelize Naude in the first round.
Women's 1st round draw:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v Laura Lengthorn-Massaro (ENG)
[5] Natalie Grainger (USA) v Qualifier
[4] Tania Bailey (ENG) v Annelize Naude (NED)
[6] Vicky Botwright (ENG) v Jenny Duncalf (ENG)
[8] Vanessa Atkinson (NED) v Alison Waters (ENG)
[3] Rachael Grinham (AUS) v Qualifier
[7] Madeline Perry (IRL) v Qualifier
[2] Natalie Grinham (AUS) v Qualifier
Issued on behalf of: PSA/WISPA
For further information: Howard Harding
Tel: (44) 1737-243333 or (mobile) (44) 7773-325130
WSQ 4074 Email: [email protected] 13 September 2007
