Endurance World Open Draw Revealed in Bermuda

Squash fans around the globe will be focused on Bermuda in November when the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association hosts the Endurance World Open Bermuda 2007 Championship, proudly sponsored by Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd. This is the final phase of the biggest contract in the history of squash, which has seen Bermuda hosting the PSA Masters for the past two years.

The Endurance World Open Bermuda 2007 Championship is the ultimate tournament for the world's greatest squash players who will assemble in Bermuda from 25 November to 1 December to compete for $175,000 in prize money, and the title "Endurance World Open Champion".

Tournament Director Ross Triffitt formally announced today the draw for the flagship Professional Squash Association (PSA) championship, along with the name of the Bermudian wild card entry. In addition, Triffitt revealed the four local players who will have an opportunity to compete in the qualifying tournament, along with the remaining qualifiers, and four World Squash Federation (WSF) Invitees, who will also compete in the qualifying tournament.

"We are delighted to announce that literally all of the world's top players are competing in the World Open, with the exception of just one player who has had to withdraw because of an injury," said Director of Squash Ross Triffitt. "Our seedings are based on the players' rankings as of 1st October, and the top 23 players as of that date are included in the main draw.

"The only other player to gain automatic entry into the main draw of 24 is our own wild card entry. I am pleased to announce that after careful consideration we have chosen James Stout to represent Bermuda. James is presently working as an Assistant Professional at the New York Racquet and Tennis Club, one of the most prestigious squash clubs in the world. He has been drawn against Mohammed Abbas of Egypt, ranked 15 in the world, and they will be playing in one of the first matches on the first evening of the Championships on 25th November."

A qualifying tournament will be held just prior to the main event, and Triffitt explained who will be competing: "Joining those 24 players in the main draw will be eight players from the qualifying tournament. A total of 32 players will be battling it out for these eight qualifying spots. This will be an exceptionally tough field, consisting of the next 24 players in the world rankings - ranging from the world No27 to world No55 - together with four of our top local players, and four players invited by the WSF.

"This is a truly World Open Championship, with over 50 players from 25 countries spread across six continents coming to Bermuda to compete in the Endurance World Open," added Triffitt.

Heading the line-up is Amr Shabana of Egypt, who made history in Bermuda when he took over the world number one ranking last April after winning the Virtual Spectator PSA Masters 2006. The 28-year-old from Cairo has topped the world rankings since his victory in Bermuda. Shabana will be certainly be challenged by the current World Open champion, David Palmer of Australia, who also resides in Bermuda when he's not on the circuit.

Other strong contenders for the title will include world No3 Gregory Gaultier and world No7 Thierry Lincou - both of whom are from France, and both just reached the final of the British Open. In addition, there will be a strong English contingent led by world No5 James Willstrop; a popular local favourite John White, the world No7 of Scotland; and the new wonderboy of squash, 20-year-old world No2 Ramy Ashour of Egypt - the youngest player in the world top 25 who has won five of the eight PSA Tour events in which he has competed so far this year.

The venue for the Endurance World Open will be the Fairmont Southampton, where an all-glass court will be erected in a state-of-the-art see-through tent, complete with comfortable theatre-style seating. Located on Turtle Hill, overlooking Horseshoe Bay and the magnificent South Shore, the location will ensure uninterrupted play and clear views, whatever the weather.

The Championship will draw extensive global coverage, including presence from Reuters, BBC World Service, NBC News, Fox Australia and Orbit ESPN. TV coverage will be provided to potential viewers totalling up to 2.1 billion worldwide who will be provided with unique opportunity to see Bermuda at its best while watching the world's greatest squash players in action.

For more information about the Endurance World Open Bermuda 2007 Squash Championships, check the website at www.squashworldopen.com

1st round draw:
[1] Amr Shabana (EGY) v Laurens Jan Anjema (NED)
[12] Stewart Boswell (AUS) v Qualifier
[6] Thierry Lincou (FRA) v Adrian Grant (ENG)
[15] Mohd Azlan Iskandar (MAS) v Qualifier
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v Borja Golan (ESP)
[16] Olli Tuominen (FIN) v Qualifier
[5] James Willstrop (ENG) v Hisham Mohd Ashour (EGY)
[14] Mohammed Abbas (EGY) v James Stout (BER)
[10] Lee Beachill (ENG) v Cameron Pilley (AUS)
[7] John White (SCO) v Ong Beng Hee (MAS)
[11] Wael El Hindi (EGY) v Qualifier
[4] David Palmer (AUS) v Qualifier
[13] Peter Barker (ENG) v Qualifier
[8] Karim Darwish (EGY) v Alex Gough (WAL)
[9] Nick Matthew (ENG) v Qualifier
[2] Ramy Ashour (EGY) v Qualifier