World Champion's Hyderabad Hopes Boosted By Atkinson Withdrawal

Nicol David's hopes of regaining her world number one squash ranking were boosted today by the withdrawal of Vanessa Atkinson from this week's Qatar Airways Challenge in Hyderabad, India.

Atkinson, the reigning world number one from the Netherlands - who is undefeated on the WISPA World Tour this year - has been diagnosed with an 'unstable disc' in her back which requires treatment for a couple of weeks.

"I am extremely disappointed not to be able to participate in the Qatar Airways Challenge in India this year," said the 30-year-old from The Hague. "I have been really looking forward to this important event and to visiting India for the first time."

The third biggest championship on the Women's International Squash Players' Association Tour, with a prize fund of $79,550, the Qatar Airways Challenge will take place from 4-9 July. After early rounds at the Secunderabad Club, the final rounds will be played on the new all-glass court (featuring a glass floor for the first time ever at a major event) erected in front of the Falaknuma Palace, an historic building set on a hill overlooking India's fifth largest metropolis.

Nicol David, the World Open champion from Malaysia who is ranked two in the world, will take over as top seed in the WISPA Gold event. In the revised draw, Australia's world No3 Rachael Grinham moves up to the second seed position.

Revised 1st round draw:
[2] Rachael Grinham (AUS) v Qualifier
[13] Rebecca Chiu (HKG) v Qualifier
[6] Tania Bailey (ENG) v Tegwen Malik (WAL)
[11] Annelize Naude (NED) v Qualifier
[3] Natalie Grinham (AUS) v Qualifier
[16] Dominique Lloyd-Walter (ENG) v Latasha Khan (USA)
[7] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) v Sharon Wee (MAS)
[9] Laura-Jane Lengthorn (ENG) v Jaclyn Hawkes (NZL)
[14] Isabelle Stoehr (FRA) v Amelia Pittock (AUS)
[5] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) v Melissa Martin (AUS)
[12] Engy Kheirallah (EGY) v Lauren Briggs (ENG)
[4] Vicky Botwright (ENG) v Qualifier
[15] Pamela Nimmo (SCO) v Qualifier
[8] Alison Waters (ENG) v Qualifier
[10] Shelley Kitchen (NZL) v Qualifier
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v Raneem El Weleily (EGY)