Manchester 'A Perfect Place To Win Something', Says Willstrop

England's James Willstrop, top men's seed in this week's British National Championships in Manchester, believes that he is on the verge of success for the first time in the country's biggest UK domestic event.

After qualifying, which gets underway today, the British National Championships take place at the National Squash Centre at Sportcity from Tuesday - with action from quarter-finals onwards staged on the spectacular all-glass court at the NSC, the venue which hosted the squash competitions in the 2002 Commonwealth Games, leading to the finals next Sunday.

In addition to members of England's historic Men's and Women's World Team Championships-winning squads, the 2007 National Championships have also attracted the leading players from Scotland, Ireland and Wales - including former champion John White, the world No10 from Scotland; Madeline Perry, the world No8 from Banbridge, near Belfast; and British Open O35 champion Alex Gough, the world No23 from Wales.

Willstrop, the 23-year-old from Pontefract in Yorkshire who led England to success in the 2005 Men's World Team Championships, reached the Nationals final two years ago - and rates the tournament highly.

"You can see how significant it is with the level of players competing in it," said the former world junior champion. "The event is so well run and the players so well looked after. And it's well-marketed and attracts big crowds - there aren't many tournaments anywhere in the world that are better!

"I enjoy playing on the all-glass court there - it has fond memories for me as it was where I played the final of the British Open (in 2005). It's a big stage for us to play on - and that's what we like," added the England international who trains regularly at the NSC.

By his own exacting standards, Willstrop has had a mixed run on the international circuit since winning the prized Qatar Classic in November 2005. His lowest period came in September last year when he contracted food poisoning in Cairo on the eve of competing in the World Open.

"You have to understand that people in all sports have periods like this - nothing really bad but just a time when things don't seem to go well. And that illness in Egypt was a bit of a setback. Your confidence takes a bit of a knock.

"But I really believe in myself - and I realise that I need to back that up with some success. I need a good run, but I feel in good shape and things have been going well in training.

"It's time for me to win something - and this would be the perfect place to do it. The National title is a very important one to hold," explained Willstrop.

For the past three years in a row, Willstrop's National Championship progress has been stopped by Lee Beachill, his close friend and England and Pontefract club team-mate. Indeed, he has never beaten the 29-year-old former world number one who is also coached by his father Malcolm Willstrop.

According to the draw, Willstrop will meet third seed Beachill for the fourth year in a row - in the semi-finals.

"It's something which keeps coming up - I guess because we're based at the same club and good mates," explained Willstrop when asked if he was looking forward to another meeting with his great rival.

"But I'm not thinking about it - mainly because there are plenty of tough matches to go before the chance of meeting him.

"But, truthfully, I never have a great deal of fun playing Lee - our games are so different. I'm trying to learn how to deal with players like him - I'm working at it. But, even though he's had the upper hand so far, I don't dwell on it.

"The main thing is that I want to win the National title - so hopefully I'll be able to deal with it if I have to!

Title-holder Tania Bailey, the world No5 from Lincolnshire, is seeded to retain the women's crown she won for the first time last year.