KL Open Attracts World's Top Ten Women

The second WISPA Gold event of the year has attracted the world's top ten women squash players to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia to compete in the CIMB KL Open. Leading the field is the Malaysian squash queen Nicol David, making her first appearance in her home country since winning the World Open title in Hong Kong in December, then becoming world number one for the first time last month.

David, the defending champion and top seed, is expected to face rival Vanessa Atkinson in the final on an all-glass court in Berjaya Times Square on Saturday. Atkinson, the world No2 from the Netherlands, is returning to the stage where she won her World Open title in 2004 - fresh from her victory over David two weeks ago in the final of Apawamis Open, the first WISPA Gold of the year in the USA.

Also featured in the high-quality field are Australian sisters Rachael Grinham and Natalie Grinham, seeded three and four, respectively.

David faces New Zealand qualifier Shelley Kitchen in the opening round, and is expected to come up against Natalie Grinham in the semi-finals. Atkinson meets Malaysian wild card player Sharon Wee in the first round, en-route to a predicted semi-final clash with Rachael Grinham.

Andrew Shelley, Chief Executive of the Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA) commented: "It is a little like a puzzle when finally the last few pieces magically fit together. A world champion in Nicol David, enviably extensive squash media coverage, a superbly active Squash Malaysia and responsive sponsor in CIMB.

"Four clicks and the picture of this championship is complete. This second major event in Kuala Lumpur to link with the Malaysian Women's Open in July means WISPA really cannot thank Squash Malaysia and their supporters enough for the annual boost they give to our members."

Home success is also predicted in the Men's KL Open where Mohd Azlan Iskandar is the top seed. The world No14 from Sarawak is expected to face second seed Ong Beng Hee in an all-Malaysian final.

Aamir Atlas Khan, a 15-year-old from Peshawar in Pakistan, has qualified for the $30,000 PSA Tour event after beating Australia's Cameron White 1-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-7 in today's qualifying finals.

Khan, son of former British Amateur finalist Atlas Khan and a nephew of Jansher Khan, is drawn to face England's fourth seed Adrian Grant in the first round.

*** England's fifth seed Vicky Botwright has been forced to withdraw from the KL Open, still suffering from the foot injury she sustained during the Apawamis Open. Her place has been taken by Lucky Loser Amelia Pittock, from Australia.

Women's qualifying finals:
Shelley Kitchen (NZL) bt Kasey Brown (AUS) 9-4, 9-3, 9-5 (30m)
Tegwen Malik (WAL) bt Tricia Chuah (MAS) 9-3, 9-5, 9-0 (21m)
Raneem El Weleily (EGY) bt Amelia Pittock (AUS) 9-5, 10-8, 9-6 (31m)
Engy Kheirallah (EGY) bt Melissa Martin (AUS) 9-4, 9-0, 9-5 (27m)
Men's qualifying finals:
Aamir Atlas Khan (PAK) bt Cameron White (AUS) 1-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-7 (33m)
Lee Drew (ENG) bt Khayal Muhammad Khan (PAK) 10-11 (1-3), 11-3, 11-9, 11-10 (2-0) (80m)
Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt Shamsul Islam Khan (PAK) 8-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-7 (52m)
Ritwik Bhattacharya (IND) bt Basit Ashfaq (PAK) 11-2, 11-2 ret.