Lincou Is New Top Seed As Shabana Withdraws From Canary Wharf Classic

Reigning champion Thierry Lincou is favourite to retain next week's ISS Canary Wharf Classic title in London after top seed Amr Shabana pulled out of the 5-star PSA Tour event with an injury.

The Egyptian world No1 has withdrawn because of a wrist injury sustained after winning the Tournament of Champions in New York. Ironically, Australia's Anthony Ricketts conceded with an elbow injury in the final at Grand Central Terminal.

The new top-seeded Frenchman is scheduled to meet Ricketts in the semi-finals on Thursday evening on the Harris Brushes ProCourt at the East Wintergarden venue.

Shabana's withdrawal resulted in a redraw of the tournament and British stars James Willstrop, Lee Beachill and British Open champion Nick Matthew - the new No2 seed - will now have to battle it out in the bottom half of the draw.

Pontefract team-mates Beachill and Willstrop, the new national champion, are due to meet in the quarter-finals, with the Sheffield-based Matthew waiting in the semis.

London-born Adrian Grant, who had originally been due to meet top seed Shabana in the first round, now meets Frenchman Renan Lavigne, who has moved up from the qualifying competition to fill the vacant slot.

Wild card Bradley Ball, from Ipswich, faces No2 seed Matthew in the opening round, which is spread over Monday and Tuesday next week.

The qualifying competition is being staged this weekend at Wimbledon Rackets and Fitness Club.
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