SquashTalk>Women's World Open >Womens World Team Canada Preview

[last update was 19-nov-00 ]

Baizley and Jans pace Canada team

11.16.00 by Louis Daignault

Eye Group Women's World Open Squash Championship, Sheffield England

Canada Team Preview

CANADA SEEDED NINTH FOR WOMEN'S WORLD TEAM SQUASH CHAMPIONSHIPS
SHEFFIELD, England--Canada may be seeded ninth for the women's world team squash championships which starts here Sunday but head coach Ian Paton of Edmonton believes this is one of Canada's best units in many years.

"We're seeded ninth because we finished in that area at the last world team event two years ago,"said Paton. "I think a top-five or six is very possible this time." The Canadians field an experienced squad led by Pan Am Games champion and world number-32 Melanie Jans of Toronto headed to her fourth straight worlds. World university champion Marnie Baizley of Winnipeg, Carolyn Russell of Winnipeg, and Lauren Wagner of North Vancouver round out the team.

Baizley and Wagner were also on the 1998 world team that placed 10th with Jans. Canada was ninth in 1996, 12th in 1994 and sixth in 1992. A record 22 countries are expected to compete in the championship which runs until November 25.

England is seeded first and aims for its first title since 1990 despite the late withdrawal of world champion Cassie Campion due to back surgery.

England still boasts four players from the world's top thirteen - world No3 Linda Charman,Tania Bailey (6), Sue Wright (11) and Stephanie Brind (13). Six-time and defending world champions Australia, unbeaten since losing the 1990 final to England, are the second seeded - led by three-time former world open champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald, currently ranked No5 in the world. New Zealand, runners-up in 1985 and 1992, are seeded third.

Canada is in pool D with fourth-seeded Egypt, Switzerland and Nigeria. The Canadians open Sunday against Switzerland, then Nigeria Monday and Egypt Tuesday. The top-two in each pool after the round robin advance to the playoff round.

For the latest results go to www.squashtalk.com/womensworld

Melanie Jans at last year's Pan Am Games. (Photo © 2000 Kim Tunney)