WISPA Celebrate Tour Debut In Russia

The staging of this week's Women's Tekamed Moscow Open in Moscow marks the inaugural WISPA World Tour squash event to be held in Russia.

The $4,000 championship, featuring players from 11 countries, will take place at the Multisport Moscow from 3-5 October.

"To bring the WISPA Tour to Russia was always our hope after the success of the WISPA Promotional Tour there, and that has been realised with the Tekamed Moscow Open this week," said Andrew Shelley, Chief Executive of the Women's International Squash Players' Association.

"This event is the latest of our Premiere Series, which sees the WISPA World Tour debuting in new countries and regions. We were in Hangzhou, China, earlier this year and shortly go to Prague - both past Promo Tour destinations. Add to these Vietnam and Taiwan this year for the first time, along with other 'younger' squash countries amongst the thirty nations currently hosting events, and women's international squash is exactly that .... truly worldwide," added Shelley

"Needless to say, this is a major plank in our push to become part of the Olympic Games."

Tournament Director Zoltan Kompis is also delighted to be hosting this historic event: "Everybody is excited - the first professional women's squash tournament in Russia! It has already created a lot of interest.

"In last 10 years, squash has attained a good level here and we have players participating in professional tournaments - including Irina Assal, who is competing in the Moscow Open, and Alexei Severinov who plays on the PSA Tour.

"A lot of children are learning to play - and a lot of parents think that squash can be a good career for their children," explained Kompis. "So I hope that this tournament will be a big step in the development of Russian squash - and we hope that it will go well so we can organise some bigger tournament next year!"

1st round draw:
[1] Georgina Stoker (ENG) v Leonie Holt (ENG)
[5] Heba El Torky (EGY) v Irina Assal (RUS)
[4] Fiona Moverley (ENG) v Faustine Gilles (FRA)
[8] Birgit Coufal (AUT) v Olga Ertlova (CZE)
[7] Lotte Eriksen (NOR) v Coline Aumard (FRA)
[3] Deon Saffery (WAL) v Nouran El Torky (EGY)
[6] Kylie Lindsay (NZL) v Linda Hruzikova (SVK)
[2] Carolyn Russell (CAN) v Jenna Gates (ENG)