Comeback King Boswell Returns To Top Flight In Sheffield

After an incredible comeback trail which has seen Australia's Stewart Boswell pick up seven successive professional squash titles in four months, the former world No4 is now ready to face the world's top stars when he arrives in Sheffield for next week's Mamut English Open, hosted by Sheffield City Council.

The English Open, staged on an all-glass court at the Crucible Theatre from 17-21 August, is a four-star PSA Tour event which has attracted the world's top players - including England's world No2 Lee Beachill, the defending champion from Pontefract in Yorkshire, and David Palmer, the world No3 from Australia who was runner-up in last month's Pakistan Open.

Also starring in the Mamut-sponsored event will be England's Peter Nicol, the former world No1 who last month celebrated his 50th career international title in devastating style after crushing the reigning world number one and world champion Thierry Lincou in the final of the World Games in Germany.

Nicol, whose company Eventis Sports Marketing is staging the Mamut English Open at the Crucible for the third successive year, will be hoping to make up for his disappointment over the past two years - by winning his own title for the first time!

Having reached an all time high of No4 in the world in 2003, Stewart Boswell sustained a career threatening back injury. Unable to play for 18 months, the 24-year-old feared that his career might be brought to an end before it had a chance to flourish.

Boswell sought advice from all areas of the medical professions and visited specialists all across Australia, but no-one seemed to be able to help. However, some 12 months ago, he began working with a physiotherapist Steve Saunders in Adelaide. They focussed on changing some muscle imbalances Saunders had seen in Boswell's back, and so began the long road to recovery.

In April, Boswell began his professional comeback by winning the South Island Championship in New Zealand. Last week he won the Salt Lake City Open in the USA to secure his seventh successive title and extend his unbeaten run to 35 matches (in which he only dropped two games!).

However, the Mamut English Open represents a step-up in class - something that Boswell is well aware of.

"I could not have dreamed it would go so well, but I am still a little way off the pace of the game at the top level," commented Boswell. "But I am just delighted to be back on court and it will be fantastic to be back at an event with the top players in the world again!"

Eventis director Peter Nicol, the third seed, explained: "It has been great to be able to give Stewart the opportunity to get back amongst the world's best players, though obviously I may not be saying that if I meet him in the tournament!"

Boswell will compete in the 16-man qualification event which takes place at Abbeydale Park and Hallamshire Squash Clubs in Sheffield on Monday and Tuesday (15/16 August).

Tickets are available from The Crucible box office on 0114-249 6000 and online at www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/buyit.