Legends of Squash head for Echo Arena

May 6 2008

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/other-sports/2008/05/06/legends-of-squash-head-for-echo-arena-100252-20867794/

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Legends of Squash head for Echo Arena

THE greatest players in world squash are in Liverpool this week to take part in the Dunlop British Open.

The championships are regarded as the sport’s most prestigious competition and it will be the first international sporting event to be staged at the Echo Arena.

The qualifying rounds got underway at Liverpool Cricket Club in Aigburth today and the action moves on to the spectacular all-glass show court in the arena on Friday through to the finals on Monday, May 12.

World number ones Amr Shabana and Nicol David head the distinguished list of competitors.

Egyptian Shabana, who has been top of the men’s world rankings for 25 consecutive months, is the longest serving number one since Pakistan's legendary Jansher Khan more than ten years ago.

Malaysian David is in her third year as women's world number one and is the reigning Asian Sportswoman of the Year.

Shabana’s biggest threat will come from fellow countryman and world number two Ramy Ashour. They have enjoyed some titanic battles on the international circuit and Ashour recently beat him in the final of the Hurghada International in Egypt.

Shabana won his third World Open title last December but the British Open crown is the only major trophy to have eluded him so far and he is keen to put that right.

“It’s amazing when you look back at the great players who have won the British Open, and it would be fantastic to have my name on the trophy alongside the likes of Jonah Barrington, Geoff Hunt, Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan.”

"The British Open is a massive event with huge prestige and lots of history. Winning it is part of every squash player's hopes and aspirations.”

The British Open also features the world's largest and most successful annual Masters Championships, with 13 events ranging from men's and women's over-35 age group categories to men's over-70.

Tickets for the Dunlop British Open can be booked online at www.accliverpool.com/whatson/squash.asp or by phone on 0844 8000 400.