WORLD SQUASH NEWS WISPA Grand Prix Kicks Off In Dallas The first Women's International Squash Players' Association Grand Prix event of the year will take place in the USA this week, featuring the maiden appearance at a dedicated women's event of WISPA's all-glass squash court. The $45,000 Texas Open will be staged in the atrium of the Plaza of the Americas in Dallas from 27-30 March. Heading the all-star field will be defending champion Carol Owens, the world No1 from New Zealand who is seeded to face the USA's world No2 Natalie Pohrer in Sunday's final. This weekend's Las Vegas Open winner Cassie Jackman is the event's 7th seed and meets English compatriot Jenny Tranfield in the opening round. Also being unveiled by event promoters, the Dallas Squash Racquets Association (DSRA), is the online Newsroom. Located at www.dallassquash.org/wispa, the Newsroom will feature all of the latest information about the tournament, including daily competition results. Information and results will also be sent via email to subscribers. "We are very excited about this new communications tool," said Susan Morrison, President of DSRA. "The Newsroom provides us with an immediate, easy, cost-efficient way to talk to our members, sports enthusiasts and the media about the Texas Open 2003. Squash may still be unfamiliar to many folks in this part of the world, but we aim to change that. "We are using WISPA's new portable, all-glass showcourt in a stunning setting to bring great squash to the general public. The WISPA women are tremendous athletes - powerful, talented, and attractive. They are the perfect ambassadors to raise the game's profile here. The Newsroom will help us assure that no current or potential squash fans miss any of the action or fun." WISPA Director Andrew Shelley added: "Our rationale for the court was to help upgrade events onto glass and so bring them to a wider audience. The Texas Open is a really exciting initial fulfilment of our intent." 1st round draw: [1] Carol Owens (NZL) v Fiona Geaves (ENG) [8] Rebecca Macree (ENG) v Qualifier [4] Rachael Grinham (AUS) v Qualifier [6] Tania Bailey (ENG) v Natalie Grinham (AUS) [5] Vanessa Atkinson (NED) v Stephanie Brind (ENG) [3] Linda Charman (ENG) v Qualifier [7] Cassie Jackman (ENG) v Jenny Tranfield (ENG) [2] Natalie Pohrer (USA) v Qualifier