World Open Qualifying Draw Revealed

Players from 18 nations will attempt to qualify for next week's Women's World Open in Madrid, according to the draw published today by the World Squash Federation (WSF) and the Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA).

Eight qualifying slots are available in the sport's biggest ever women's event, which will be staged adjacent to the Royal Palace (the Palacio Real) in the Spanish capital, from 23-27 October. The 32-draw qualifying championship will be staged at the city's Pallestra Squash Club from 21-22 October.

Seven-times US champion Latasha Khan heads the qualifying draw - and will face local player Laura Alonso Perez, the 31-year-old Canary Islands number one from Tenerife who is making her World Open debut.

Spain's 21-year-old Xisela Aranda Nunez, who made her WISPA Tour debut in last week's London Open in England, will face Ireland's Aisling Blake in the other half of the qualifying draw.

Lauren Briggs, one of six English players trying to qualify, is second seed - and is drawn to face Dutch player Karen Kronemeyer.

Camille Serme, runner-up in the Women's World Junior Championship in August, is one of three French players seeking a place in the main draw. The 18-year-old from Creteil, who made her World Open debut in last year's qualifiers, meets Canada's Runa Reta, a 26-year-old from Ottawa in her sixth qualifying attempt since 2001.

Qualifying draw:
Latasha Khan (USA) v Laura Alonso Perez (ESP)
Suzie Pierrepont (ENG) v Dagmar Vermeulen (NED)
Line Hansen (DEN) v Celia Allamargot (FRA)
Orla Noom (NED) v Georgina Stoker (ENG)
Manuela Manetta (ITA) v Lucie Fialova (CZE)
Laura Mylotte (IRL) v Birgit Coufal (AUT)
Louise Crome (NZL) v Karina Herrera Zuniga (MEX)
Laura Hill (ENG) v Anna-Carin Forstadius (SWE)
Elise Ng (HKG) v Frania Gillen-Buchert (SCO)
Runa Reta (CAN) v Camille Serme (FRA)
Margriet Huisman (NED) v Lauren Selby (ENG)
Tricia Chuah (MAS) v Kerri Shields (IRL)
Carolyn Russell (CAN) v Carla Khan (PAK)
Aisling Blake (IRL) v Xisela Aranda Nunez (ESP)
Sarah Kippax (ENG) v Soraya Renai (FRA)
Lauren Briggs (ENG) v Karen Kronemeyer (NED)