STRONG FIELD BUT EGYPTIAN STARS ABSENT

Entries closed this week for the Mamut English Open, and the event, promoted by a group led by former World #1 Peter Nicol, attracted a stronger than ever field, but even with the promise of TV coverage was minus the hoped for top attraction, world #1 Amr Shabana. Traditionally, the four year old event which takes place amidst the customary summer break for the top players, has not been able to lure the top Egpytians or Canadians into the fold.

David Palmer takes on a bevy of English stars at the Mamut English Open. Photo 2006 ©Debra Tessier

The event drew all of the top-ten players except for the two charismatic Egyptians, Karim Darwish and Amr Shabana. The event is sandwiched four days after the completion of the $40,000 Heliopolis Open in Cairo and ten days before the $152,000 Al Ahram World Open in Giza/Cairo, Egypt. Darwish has chosen to play the Heliopolis, which however doesn't boast enough prize money to bring Shabana into that field.

The star-studded field featuring eight of the world's top ten squash players will be in action at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield next month in the $50,000 Mamut English Open, one of the premier events on the sport’s world circuit.

Hosted by Sheffield City Council - and now in its fourth year in the English city - the Mamut English Open will take place between 15-19 August.  The championship has been upgraded to a five-star PSA Tour event and will be featured on BBC TV 'Grandstand' for the first time.

Boasting FIVE former world number ones, the 2006 event boasts its strongest line-up yet.  Australia's world No2 David Palmer is the event's top seed and would be expected to meet France's second seed Thierry Lincou, also a former world No1, in the final on the spectacular all-glass court on Saturday 19 August.

One player determined to upset the seedings will be defending champion Peter Nicol, the two-times gold medallist in the Commonwealth Games in Australia earlier this year whose company Eventis Sports Marketing is promoting the Mamut English Open for the fourth year at the Crucible.

A second successive victory in the five-star event would mark the 50th PSA Tour title of the Englishman's career.  Nicol, who recently celebrated his 60th month as world number one, is the event's fifth seed.

"Eventis are delighted that this year's Mamut English Open has attracted the strongest draw ever, with eight of the world's top ten confirming their entry," said Eventis Director Angus Kirkland.  "The players have always been very supportive of all our events and this year is no exception.  The event has grown in stature each year and we are thrilled with the response, having made the decision to upgrade the event to a PSA five-star level.

"In a year where we have secured satellite and terrestrial coverage, we look forward to showcasing the world's best squash talent on the Crucible's renowned stage."

Alan Moody, Managing Director of Mamut, added:  "It's a testimony to this five-star event that the very best squash players in the world will be coming to Sheffield, and we are thrilled to be sponsoring the Mamut English Open for the third year running."

Sheffield's own Nick Matthew, the world No7, will return to the stage where he reached the final for the first time last year.  The 25-year-old is the No6 seed, behind fellow Yorkshireman James Willstrop, who is the fourth seed.

Nicol, Matthew and Willstrop will be joined at the Crucible by the fourth member of the England squad which reclaimed the World Team Championships title last December in Pakistan:  Lee Beachill, also a Yorkshireman and winner of the title in 2004, is the eighth seed.

The complete list of seeds is: [1] David Palmer (Australia), [2] Thierry Lincou (France), [3] Anthony Ricketts (Australia), [4] James Willstrop (England), [5] Peter Nicol (England), [6] Nick Matthew (England), [7] Gregory Gaultier (France), and [8] Lee Beachill (England).

Squash at the Crucible. Photo 2006 ©Fritz Borchert .