Cassie Campion Claims to be On Course for Trio

10.4.00 London SRA

CASSIE CAMPION CAMPAIGNS FOR HISTORIC BRITISH OPEN BRITISH DOUBLE
England's Cassie Campion is on course to complete the trio of the world's most prestigious squash titles at next week's British Open Championships in Birmingham from 11-15 October. Campion, already world champion and world No1, is seeded to win her first British Open crown on Sunday 15th October before a likely sell-out home crowd at the country's National Indoor Arena.

If she and Scotland's top seed Peter Nicol, the 1998 men's champion, are both successful, it will be the first British British Open double since 1939!

"The British Open to me is still the most prestigious event," said the Norfolk-born 27-year-old, now based in Halifax, Yorkshire. "As I grew up, it was always the British Open that I said was my ambition to win, besides becoming World No1. I've achieved the ranking and becoming World Champion, so the British Open is something that I've always dreamt of winning." Campion reached the 1999 final in Scotland, where she was beaten by New Zealand's Leilani Joyce.

"I've been pleased with my form this year - I've played Leilani on three occasions since Aberdeen and won each time," said Cassie. "The NIA will be a great venue. I certainly thought it was a great success in 1998 and I'm sure it will be even better this year, with hopefully a packed house and a great atmosphere.

"I have been drawn in a tough half, but it's going to be tough winning the British Open wherever you are in the draw. I'm just looking forward to playing and competing in the event," Cassie enthused. Campion, who is appearing in her 12th British Open, faces a qualifier in the first round on Wednesday 11th October at 12.00 noon at the NIA. Tickets for the NIA are available via the ticket hotline 0121-780 4444.

Issued on behalf of the SRA by Howard Harding, email at howhard@aol.com

Cassie Campion (r) vs Linda Charmain at the '99 British Open (Photos © Squashtalk, 2000)

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