Nicol Aims To Go Out In Style

It should be standing room only at Sheffield's famous Crucible Theatre later this month when squash legend Peter Nicol makes his farewell appearance on home soil at the Mamut English Open, hosted by Sheffield City Council.

Nicol, the most successful British player of the modern era who has more than 50 major international titles to his name, is set to retire after the World Open in Egypt next month. But the Mamut English Open in Sheffield will be the last chance for squash fans to see him playing competitively in Great Britain.

As defending champion of the English Open - last year he beat Sheffield's England international Nick Matthew in the final - and also a director of organising company Eventis Sports Marketing, Nicol is determined to end his career on a high by winning both tournaments.

"This is the strongest field ever assembled for the English Open, so the audience at the Crucible are in for a real treat," said 33-year-old Nicol. "It makes my task of retaining the trophy a lot harder though.

"I'd obviously like to win both events, but it will be extremely difficult. Last season I performed well at the beginning of the season to win in Sheffield and then I peaked again in March for gold at the Commonwealth Games.

"Hopefully I can play as well as I did last season and go out in style. I know that any player that reaches the quarter finals at the Crucible can go on to win, so I will have to be at my best. It just makes me more determined than ever to take on all the rest of the top guys and come out on top."

The Mamut English Open, now in its fourth year at the Crucible Theatre, will take place between 15-19 August. The championship has been upgraded to a five-star PSA Tour event and will be featured on BBC TV 'Grandstand' for the first time.

Boasting five former world number ones, the 2006 event boasts its strongest line-up yet. Australia's world No2 David Palmer is the tournament's top seed and would be expected to meet France's second seed Thierry Lincou, also a former world No1, in the final on the all-glass court on Saturday 19 August.

Seeded five at the Crucible, Nicol is drawn to face England team-mate Peter Barker, from Essex, in the opening round. Success would take him through to a projected quarter-final clash with top seed Palmer, whom he beat in dramatic style to secure the Commonwealth Games gold medal in Melbourne in March.

The Mamut English Open is promoted by Eventis Sports Marketing Ltd, a company formed by Nicol and fellow former squash players Tim Garner and Angus Kirkland.