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VIEW THE UNIVERSALSPORTSCLUB CLASSIC 2000 DRAW         

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Site updated on 12/04/2000

Special offers continued from theYMG Event through the Universal Classic:

WISPA UNIVERSALSPORTSCLUB CLASSIC PREVIEW
From Martin Bronstein in London Dec 4 2000. Photos © 2000 Fritz Borchert

OWENS SET FOR ANOTHER VICTORY
World Champion Carol Owens looks set to pay off a little more of her mortgage when the Universalsportsclub Classic kicks off at Lambs Club tomorrow. Owens, who took home nearly $10,000 when she won the world title last month, is very careful with her money and when at home in New Zealand drives around in an old banger of an auto, preferring to pay off the mortgage on her house in New Zealand rather than investing in a Ferrari.

Although this tournament has Classic in the title, it is in fact a brand new tournament on the WISPA schedule. Universalsportsclub (all one word) is, as you've probably guessed, a new about-to-be-launched website which will soon service European followers and players of tennis, golf, badminton and squash. (So Ron Beck, Squashtalk's webmaster can heave a sigh of relief). They claim they will offer 'a whole new sports experience' which, in addition to covering 82 European events, will feature interactive teaching sections.Cassie Campion will be the featured player for squash.

WISPA REVAMPED TOURNEY SCHEDULE
This $30,000 event is another feather in the hat for WISPA who have picked up over $11million in sponsorship in the last six months. The draw features all the top players except Campion, who will be out of the game until February, recovering from her back operation, and Leilani Joyce, who went home to New Zealand.

Owens is top seed followed by Sarah Fitz-Gerald, Tania Bailey and Natalie Grainger. The 16 player qualification list was decimated by withdrawals which meant most of the reserves got into today's (Monday) qualifying round to decide which four players go through to the first round.

QUALIFIER MATCHUPS TODAY:
Natalie Grinham (Aus) vs. Dominique Lloyd-Walter.
Senga Macfie (Sco) vs Louise Crome (NZ)
Vicky Lankaster (Eng) vs Ellen Petersen (Den)
Carla Khan (Eng) vs Vicky Botwright.

FULL MATCH REPORTS DIRECT FROM LAMBS CLUB START TUESDAY DECEMBER 5.