RICHMOND, VA. – The game of squash is ready to receive a major boost in Virginia as the world’s leading players prepare to return for their annual World Tour event in Richmond.
The Davenport North American Open, presented by Browns Jaguar, continues to grow in status as one of the world’s premier squash tournaments.
The Governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell, will be attending on Wednesday February 22 to enjoy the high-speed action on the spectacular glass court set up for the occasion at the Westwood Club.
Known affectionately as the NAO, this year’s PSA World Series Gold event, which runs from February 19-25, has attracted the strongest draw in the competition’s history with nine out of the world’s top ten players in the field.
Boosting the event’s profile even further, Davenport Investments has resumed its role as Title Sponsor and quality automobile brand Jaguar has been confirmed as the presenting sponsor courtesy of sponsorship from Browns Jaguar, based at Midlothian Spike, Richmond.
David Hetherington, President of the Virginia Squash Association, said: “The NAO continues to grow and we are delighted to welcome the Governor to the tournament to see a major event that generates enormous publicity and goodwill for the city of Richmond and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
“The world’s leading players enjoy coming here and have nothing but good things to say about the venue and the event, and they always say that the Jefferson is the best hotel they stay at in any of their stops on the world tour.
“From a local perspective, we are pleased to see such a successful tournament helping us to grow the game and creating a demand for an increase in court numbers across Virginia.
“Squash is growing in popularity throughout the country and it has been rated as the best cardio-vascular sport by Forbes Magazine, as well as being the best calorie burner.
“We are able to reach out to the community with the Squash Rocks Urban Programme in Richmond and help young people to set amazing goals in life through this wonderful sport.
“Squash keeps you fit, teaches you discipline and gives you friends for life. Because it is an indoor sport, it can be played all year round.”
World champion Nick Matthew returns to Richmond seeking a third consecutive NAO title but his English rival James Willstrop has been installed as top seed after winning three major tournaments back to back at the close of 2011 to reach #1 in the world rankings for the first time in his career.
Both Matthew and Willstrop are supportive of the efforts of the Virginia squash community to grow the game.
Matthew said: “I love playing in Richmond. It is such a special event as the whole squash community turns out to support the tournament. After winning last year’s final I was surrounded on court by youngsters who were keen to claim the autographed white match balls as souvenirs. They were the most important people at the tournament because they are the players of the future.”
Willstrop added: “The NAO always has a special atmosphere and that’s down to the tremendous efforts of Gus Cook, the tournament organiser, and his enormous team of volunteers. They take care of everything and when you are looked after so well it helps you to relax and play your best squash.”
The two English stars are seeded to meet in the Richmond final in front of Governor McDonnell and Willstrop will be desperate to overturn a 13-match losing run against fellow Yorkshireman Matthew.
Local star Patrick Chifunda has been handed the tournament wild card in Richmond and he faces former world champion Thierry Lincou of France, with the winner scheduled to meet top seed Willstrop in the second round.
Seven-times US champion Julian Illingworth has been drawn to play Finland’s Olli Tuominen, with Matthew the likely opponent in the second round.
Willstrop is seeded to meet Frenchman Gaultier in the semi-final, with #4 seed Ramy Ashour, the 2009 champion and runner-up to Matthew for the past two years, scheduled for a last-four clash with Matthew.
Tournament promoter Cook said: “This is shaping up to be the best NAO ever. With nine of the world’s top ten playing it is certainly the strongest draw we have ever welcomed to Richmond, and puts it on a par with any other tournament in the world.
“We are pleased to announce a new Presenting Sponsor in Jaguar, which we are very excited about, and we are thrilled to be welcoming the Governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell, during the tournament. We hope he will be as thrilled as we are to be bringing the world’s best squash players to Virginia.”
TOP SEEDS:
1 James Willstrop (England)
2 Nick Matthew (England)
3 Gregory Gaultier (France)
4 Ramy Ashour (Egypt)
5 Karim Darwish (Egypt)
6 Peter Barker (England)
7 Amr Shabana (Egypt)
8 Laurens Jan Anjema (Netherlands)
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