WORLD SQUASH NEWS

Hong Kong Star To Meet Namesake In Women's World Open Draw

Hong Kong number one Rebecca Chiu will meet England's world No9 Rebecca Macree in the first round of the Credit Suisse Privilege Women's World Open Squash Championship, following the draw which was made in Hong Kong.

Chiu, currently ranked No17 in the world, admitted it would be a tough game against her namesake ranked eight places above.  "Rebecca is physically taller and she has more experience, but I hope to build on the hard games I've played on the circuit recently and do well," said Chiu at the draw.

New Zealand's Carol Owens, who faces a qualifier in the opening round, is seeded to win the title for a second time.  The 2000 champion is expected to meet USA's No2 seed Natalie Grainger in the final.  England No1 Cassie Jackman is also going for her second world title.  Winner of the World Open trophy in 1999, Jackman is the fourth seed and meets Malaysia's Sharon Wee in the first round.

Another exciting first round match at the Credit Suisse Privilege Women's World Open will feature a battle of world junior champions, with twice former champion Nicol David, the world No22 from Malaysia, facing the reigning champion Omneya Abdel Kawy, the world No14 from Egypt. 

The Credit Suisse Privilege Women's World Open will be held from 7-13 December.  Following early rounds at the Hong Kong Squash Centre, the semi-finals and final will be contested on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, outside the Cultural Centre.

The full draw is:
[1] Carol Owens (NZL) v Qualifier
[11] Vicky Botwright (ENG) v Qualifier
[7] Natalie Grinham (AUS) v Qualifier
[12] Stephanie Brind (ENG) v Latasha Khan (USA)
[3] Rachael Grinham (AUS) v Qualifier
[10] Jenny Tranfield (ENG) v Pamela Nimmo (SCO)
[6] Vanessa Atkinson (NED) v Qualifier
[9] Rebecca Macree (ENG) v Rebecca Chiu (HKG)
[16] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) v Madeline Perry (IRL)
[5] Linda Charman (ENG) v Annelize Naude (NED)
[15] Shelley Kitchen (NZL) v Qualifier
[4] Cassie Jackman (ENG) v Sharon Wee (MAS)
[13] Fiona Geaves (ENG) v Qualifier
[8] Tania Bailey (ENG) v Isabelle Stoehr (FRA)
[14] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) v Nicol David (MAS)
[2] Natalie Grainger (USA) v Qualifier