U.S. Open Squash

The qualifying draw for the 2012 Delaware Investments U.S. Open, to be played out over four Philadelphia locations on October 4 and 5, has thrown up some intriguing, some unfortunate, and some downright exciting matchups that are sure to kick off the PSA $115,000 World Series event in style.

Miguel Rodriguez from Columbia

Drexel University, which will be hosting all the main draw U.S. Open matches from Saturday, gets a wonderful selection as local Philadelphian (British ex-pat) pre-qualifiers Jamie Macaulay and Joe Russell take on New Zealand #1 one and Indian #2 Siddarth Suchde respectively.

Those matches are followed by the undoubtebly gripping match of the day as Drexel’s own head coach John White, the hard-hitting former world number one, meets Colombia’s in-form and athletic Miguel Angel Rodriguez. One of the fastest players around, with a host of unconventional shots and an entertaining propensity to dive for the ball, sometimes several times in a rally, Rodriguez like White is a crowd favourite wherever he plays.  The match is sure to draw some enthusiastic spectators.

USA’s Graham Bassett

South African Steve Coppinger and Englishman Adrian Waller will have a hard act to follow to round off the action at Drexel, but they’ll certainly be up for it.

Fans at the historic Racquet Club of Philadelphia will also get to see two locals in action, as USA’s Chris Hansen and Graham Bassett meet stylish young Frenchman Greg Marche and Hong Kong’s Max Lee. Preceding that Canadian #1 Shahier Razik meets Pakistani Yasir Butt and an all-Aussie clash finished off the evening as Zac Alexander – who qualified from the same venue with two hour-long wins last year – meets compatriot Matthew Karwalski.

First up at Merion Cricket Club is another ex-pat Englishman, the club’s head coach Alex Stait, who faces another Aussie in Ryan Cuskelly. After a potentially long meeting between Karim Abdel Gawad and Campbell Grayson the home crowd then gets to cheer on the USA’s Todd Harrity against all-action Scot Alan Clyne, finishing off ith a potentially explosive match between Canada’s Shawn Delierre and Egyptian Omar Abdel Aziz.

USA’s Todd Harrity

Matches at Germantown Cricket Club start with two rather unfortunate ‘local derbies’, Englishmen Chris Simpson and Joe Lee, followed by home stars Julian Illingworth and Dylan Murray.

Julian Illingworth is current USA number one star, world ranked #28 and playing on the professional circuit.  He will take on Dylan Murray, the up-and-coming youngster of the USA, current junior national champion and future star.  The game is sure to be a good one, and it’s unfortunate that the match up means that only one of these national squash champions will continue through the event.

Both should be good matches, and two more follow with world junior champion Marwan El Shorbagy facing Mexico’s tenacious Cesar Salazar – world ranking 26 v 52 but don’t let that fool you into thinking it will be quick – and Aamir Atlas Kan versus Henrik Mustonen, speedy Pakistani against fast-improving Finn.

So there you have it – one of the most interesting qualifying draws, ever, but you can only be in one place at a time. All we can say is you won’t be disappointed if you can get to any of the venues, or of course you follow it all here …

As they say in Philly, stay tuned …

To view the full qualifying draw, click here.

USA’s junior champ, Dylan Murray

04-Oct, Qualifying Round One

DREXEL UNIVERSITY:
17.00 Martin Knight (Nzl) v Jamie Macaulay (Sco)
18.00 Siddharth Suchde (Ind) v Joe Russell (Eng)
19.00 Miguel Angel Rodriguez (Col) v John White (Sco)
20.00 Steve Coppinger (Rsa) v Adrian Waller (Eng)

RACQUET CLUB OF PHILADELPHIA:
17.00 Shahier Razik (Can) v Yasir Butt (Pak)
18.00 Gregoire Marche (Fra) v Christopher Hanson (Usa)
19.00 Max Lee (Hkg) v Graham Bassett (Usa)
20.00 Zac Alexander (Aus) v Matthew Karwalski (Aus)

MERION CRICKET CLUB:
17.00 Ryan Cuskelly (Aus) v Alex Stait (Eng)
18.00 Karim Abdel Gawad (Egy) v Campbell Grayson (Nzl)
19.00 Alan Clyne (Sco) v Todd Harrity (Usa)
20.00 Shawn Delierre (Can) v Omar Abdel Aziz (Egy)

GERMANTOWN CRICKET CLUB:
17.00 Chris Simpson (Eng) v Joe Lee (Eng)
18.00 Julian Illingworth (Usa) v Dylan Murray (Usa)
19.00 Marwan El Shorbagy (Egy) v Cesar Salazar (Mex)
20.00 Aamir Atlas Khan (Pak) v Henrik Mustonen (Fin)

Article by Kristi Maroc

One of the biggest shake ups of the 2011 Delaware Investments U.S. Open was during the quarterfinals of the women’s event when sixth seed Kasey Brown, ranked #6 in the world at the time, beat the robust and long-standing world #1 Nicol David.

In what was one of the greatest wins in her career, Kasey outclassed the rarely beatable Nicol in a smooth four game match that lasted just under an hour, and then went on to beat third seed Madeline Perry to make it through to the U.S. Open final.

The super-fit 27 year old Aussie, who lives and trains in the United States, says that the experience was thrilling and has been one of the biggest highlights in her career so far.

“The 2011 U.S. Open was probably the best WSA tournament I’ve ever played to date,” she says.

“I don’t think anyone really expected me to win that match [against Nicol].  I had to play really well to beat her…and I think things just came together.”

“It was a huge match for me, and it was just a fantastic tournament overall.”

Kasey says her preparation and support in the lead up to the tournament was instrumental in her success at the event.

“It was really good.  I was training with my coach Rod Martin here in the States and he was able to come to the event as well which really helped me get through to that final.”

“The finals atmosphere at the U.S. Open is fantastic, and I really just took it all in and took it in my stride.  Unfortunately I lost the final against Laura Massaro, but it was a fantastic tournament overall.”

Kasey has been playing on the professional women’s tour for eight years now, since she was 19 years old, and has solidly climbed through the rankings to reach a career high of world #5 at the end of last year.

Kasey’s introduction to squash happened at a young age through her mum’s work at a local squash center as she was growing up in the Australian country town of Taree.

“I used to go there with her on the weekends and after school and just hit balls by myself for hours and hours and play games with myself while she was working.  It all really started from there.”

At 13 years old Kasey won the highly competitive Australian Junior Open and realized that becoming a professional squash player was a realistic goal for her future.

“At the time I won I thought ‘yeah I want to become world number one!’ and I think that has always been in my head.  It still is!” she smiles.

“It’s been a long term goal and hopefully I can get there one day.”

Boasting an athletic physique that screams fitness and strength, and the proven ability to beat the unshakable Nicol David, there’s no doubt that Kasey is in optimum shape and at the pinnacle of age and experience right now to do whatever she sets her mind to in her career.

Currently at world #8, she’s got a wealth of knowledge and experience behind her to achieve her ultimate dream.  She has competed solidly in a throng of eminent world tournaments and boasts an impressive list of career achievements, including winning the esteemed Greenwich Open last year.

Kasey has represented Australia at two Commonwealth Games, in 2006 and 2010.  In 2010 she was the only player to take home three medals in the mixed doubles, women’s doubles and singles.  Added to that was the prize of a career highlight win in the singles during a marathon match that saw Kasey fight back from two games down to beat England’s Madeline Perry, proving a life lesson to herself about her capability and endurance.  She also won a bronze medal with women’s doubles partner Donna Urquhart, and a gold medal alongside mixed doubles partner Cameron Pilley.

“To get a Commonwealth Games gold medal is such a huge honor and to win it with Cameron was just a fantastic experience.  To get all three was just a dream come true,” she says.

“It’s just a dream come true really to play for your country.  Especially with Australia having such a strong history in the sport.”

“Another highlight for me was winning the World Team Championships in 2010.  The Australian team beat England, and to win that title and win for Australia was a huge thing for me.”

“Having Michelle Martin as our coach and part of the team was great.  She was my idol growing up so to have her there was just fantastic.”

Growing the profile of women’s squash is important to Kasey.  She’d like to see it more closely aligned with the men’s tour in terms of popularity as well as prize money.

“With the U.S. Open, the gap [in prize money] is closing, which is fantastic for an event like that, and also great for women’s squash,” says Kasey.

“In terms of the appeal of women’s squash, I think the spectators relate a little bit more to the women’s game and I think we need to use that to promote the WSA.”

Women’s Squash Week is happening in the US next week (September 8-15), and Kasey says the goal of getting more women involved in squash is an important one.

“It’s such a great sport for women to play.  Not only does it keep you incredibly fit, but it’s a really social and fun way to mingle with other people.”

Along with her exceptional squash, Kasey has also become well known in the squash world for the eye-catching and glamorous dresses she wears on court, with their fun design making them a standout favorite in on-court fashion.

During her U.S. Open match against Nicol, Kasey was wearing one of the favorite designs – a black racer-back dress with lavish metallic embellishments.

“The reaction that I got from that dress has been just fantastic,” she says.

“A friend of mine and I, we really wanted to create a statement for squash through a bit of fashion, so we found a design and put some ideas together, and my friend’s mother made the dress up.

“We actually made a whole set in different colors, we have a pink and a blue one as well,” she adds.

The outfits have been popular amongst many squash fans.

“I’ve been coaching here at camp with Karen Kronemeyer, and these kids from Philadelphia have said ‘oh, you’re the girl with the dress!’, remembering it from when they were watching last year’s U.S. Open!  So I’ve had a really good reaction from it,” she says.

“I think it’s really important, for the girls especially, to show their personality through what they wear on court.  I think it’s a big part of the game, and hopefully others will follow suit.”

Rather than relaxing over the summer break, Kasey chose to spend her time training with her coach Rodney Martin, coaching at school camps, and mentoring at New York’s urban youth program CitySquash.

“I think it’s really important to give back, and CitySquash is a fantastic charity and so a great way to do so,” she says.

“I try to volunteer as much as I can for that program when I’m around.  I think they’re all just an amazing bunch of kids, and they really open up to you after a while and you see their personalities come out.  It’s a really beneficial program.”

Kasey has just returned from Australia where she competed in the Australian Open at the beginning of August.  Next up she’ll head over to the Malaysian Open, before returning to her home base in New York to prepare for another attempt to win the crown in what she lists as one of her favorite tournaments, the U.S. Open.

“It was such a fantastic event last year.  Drexel University had the glass court set up, on one day the SquashSmarts youth program from Philadelphia came out and watched which was fantastic,” she says.

“I thought that U.S. SQUASH did a great job with the event and I hope that things just become bigger and better each year.”

Article by Kristi Maroc

As a child, when asked what he wanted to be when he grew up it’s likely James Willstrop replied ‘a top international professional squash player’ while other children were saying astronauts, racecar drivers, ballerinas or Hollywood actors. Like many other responses, his answer may have seemed like an innocent and possibly farfetched dream to many…but to James and those close to him it was already something realistic to aspire towards.

“I remember really being very young, there was no question that I really wanted to play the game to a top level,” says 29-year old James.

“I had a lot of encouragement and had an environment where I was able to be very involved and exposed to the game. I was at squash clubs, and found I loved it. I got addicted very early on and never really looked back.”

James’ family is all heavily involved in squash. His father Malcolm Willstrop was, and still is his coach, along with his brother David who was also previously a professional player and is now part of England’s national coaching team.

“It’s been a great life in squash for me. I’ve been very very privileged to have that chance to be exposed as a young child to that environment. As it happened I enjoyed it, I may not have taken to it as I did, but my family were well involved and I followed them.”

Now at the pinnacle of squash achievement, with a world #1 professional ranking, all of James’ dreams have come true.

“I was always really exposed to professional squash. I came to watch the British Open when I was young, and was obsessed with it – I still am really.”

The difference now is that he is actually competing in the British Open, and other major World Series professional tournaments such as the El Gouna Open, Hong Kong Open, and the U.S. Open.

James has confirmed he will return to the United States in October to contest for the 2012 Delaware Investments U.S. Open title. In last year’s U.S. Open he lost in the semifinals to compatriot and known rival Nick Matthew, a result which he will no doubt be looking to amend this time.

He is also likely keen to retaliate from his most recent major tournament experience – at the 2012 British Open – where he was knocked out in the semifinals in front of a home crowd during a nail-biting hour-long match against Egyptian Ramy Ashour.

After the summer off to regroup and prepare for the first major tournament of the season, plus a taste for revenge on his lips, James is likely to turn up enthusiastic and raring to win the U.S. Open and substantiate his world #1 ranking.

“Motivation comes by easily because I love winning, I love the thrill of winning and competing to the very best of my ability, or giving the very best account of myself even if I don’t win. I just love striving for that,” he says.

According to James, the only road to success is hard work…there are no secret tips.

“As boring as it sounds, there aren’t really any shortcuts. Hard work is the key. And if you want to get better at things, practice is my biggest tip, it really is…hard work and training.

“There’s a lot of off-court training – gym work, core work, yoga, psychology – it’s all in there. The secret is literally hard work. Like anything, what you put in you’ll get out,” he says.

“My main target now is to just try to stay healthy and play the game and enjoy the experiences that might be left. That’s another thing that you learn when you get older, I think you get a lot of perspective and you understand that it doesn’t last forever.

“I’m really lucky to have played at some of the great venues around the world and win some brilliant tournaments, and I just want to try and enjoy that as well.”

The starring role that squash has played in James’ life means that now he is so successfully established in his career, he is enthusiastic about instilling his love of the game to junior players.

“I remember like it was yesterday when I was watching people play in these big venues and just being absolutely awestruck by them. They were my heroes, the players, at that time. So I suppose now when I’m stood in that position as the world number one, I try and steady myself and enjoy it.

“This time isn’t around forever, where you’re an elite athlete and at the top of your game, so I try to just think ‘let’s enjoy it, let’s try to put back into the game and encourage the kids and the fans to enjoy the sport’.

Article by Todd Harrity

Plenty of tough, well-contested, and entertaining squash was played at clubs across Philadelphia in the first rounds of the U.S. Open men’s and women’s local pre-qualifiers over the past week.

On the men’s side, Trinity graduate Parth Sharma ousted Gavin Perrett in a close four game match, 11-7, 11-8, (8-11), 11-9.  Sharma will now face #1 seed, Jamie Macaulay in the pre-qualifier semifinals next week.

Also in the top half of the draw, U.S. SQUASH’s Program Director Dent Wilkens defeated Brazilian Fabio Cechin in another tight four game match, 11-7, (9-11), 15-13, 11-9.  Wilkens will now face the ¾ seed, Joe Russell.

Both Russell and Macaulay moved straight through to the semifinals with first round byes.  The bottom half of the men’s draw also has ¾ seed Imran Khan, and #2 seed Alex Stait receiving first round byes, also moving them straight through to the semifinals.

Imran Khan is now set to face the head pro of the Fairmount Club in King of Prussia, Paul Frank.  This match will also be Frank’s first of the pre-qualifiers, as his first round opponent, Joe Millman withdrew from the tournament.

Alex Stait will play Lyall Paterson, who defeated University of Rochester graduate, Matt Domenick in a competitive four game match, (5-11), 11-3, 11-6, 11-5.

The smaller eight-player women’s draw saw more one-sided results in the opening round.  #1 seed Alex Clark from Scottland beat Radhika Cobb 11-2, 11-7, 11-7.

¾ seed Amy Gross, Yale University graduate and assistant coach at Penn University, defeated Niki Clement in a comprehensive three games, 11-3, 11-5, 11-6.

Young talent Olivia Fiechter, who just recently returned from the World Junior Championships in Doha, Qatar, cruised through her first match with an 11-1, 11-0, 11-4, victory over Kim Palterman.

The closest match of the women’s draw was contested in the bottom half between #2 seed Karen Kronemeyer and Stephanie Vogel, a University of Pennsylvania graduate.  Kronmeyer won (7-11), 11-9, 11-5, 11-2.

In the semi-finals Kronemeyer will now face Fiechter, an interesting match-up as Kronmeyer has coached Fiechter, and Alex Clark will play Amy Gross.

2012 Delaware Investments U.S. Open pre-qualifier draws and results can be found here:  Men / Women

Article by Will Heyman and Kristi Maroc

With just two months to go until the world’s best squash players arrive in the United States to challenge for the prestigious U.S. Open title, and local pre-qualifiers currently underway at clubs across the city, anticipation is growing within the Philadelphia and broader squash community as the 2012 Delaware Investments U.S. Open Squash Championships near.

Squash has rapidly risen to new heights and popularity at U.S. Open’s host venue Drexel University in recent years thanks to the addition of a varsity squash team boasting the legendary former world #1 John White as head coach, and a new five court squash facility.

The buzz is quickly spreading among local sports lovers and students who are looking forward to the opportunity to witness the prestigious World Series event.

22-year old senior Amey Khanolkar, who has played on the Drexel Club Squash team for three years and the Varsity Squash team for one year, is thrilled to see all his favorite international professional athletes battling it out on his home campus.

“Being an avid squash player and an enthusiastic follower of the professional squash tour, I can’t wait to see the pros play on the glass court from up close,” Amey said.

“It’s such an amazing opportunity for people in the U.S. to get to see the world’s best international squash stars compete at this World Series level.”

“I’m especially looking forward to seeing Ramy Ashour play this year, it’s great news that he is going to be there.  He’s an absolute magician with the squash racquet, it’ll be incredible to watch live,” Amey said excitedly.

Also eager to see the world-class event is 21-year old Dylan Siegfried, a rising junior who learned about squash just last year thanks to the U.S. Open.

“I didn’t really know much about squash until last year when the U.S. Open was here and my friend who loves squash dragged me along.”

“They turned the DAC into an awesome venue with a sensational center stage and all the biggest names in squash from around the world. I’m pumped to watch it again this year.”

The ‘DAC’ as it is affectionately known around campus is Drexel’s Daskalaskis Athletic Center, where a world-class all-glass showcase court and expo arena will be constructed in October to house the U.S. Open.  The impressive first-class facility includes five squash courts, a swimming pool, a golf center, and a gymnasium featuring four courts for recreational, intramural, club volleyball, basketball and badminton.

“Squash is developing such an enthusiastic following here at Drexel,” Dylan said.

“Sometimes in the evenings I go to the squash courts to play with a friend, but unless you reserve a court there are so many people wanting to play you often have to wait quite a while.”

Students aren’t the only ones who are excited.  Drexel Athletic department staff are keen to host again this year, following the success in 2011.

“We are so proud to have the opportunity to host this fantastic event,” said John White.

“It was a great success last year showcasing the U.S. Open and Drexel University to a large national and international squash community.”

The U.S. Open Squash Championships attract national and international visitors to Philadelphia, and are also broadcast to an audience of international fans via SquashTV and it’s network of 18 television distributors.

John White was one of the local contenders to participate in the U.S. Open last year, and will play again this year.

“Playing in front of the crowds that come to Philadelphia for this event is terrific.  Not only are there the students and local Philadelphians, but also tons of passionate squash players and fans who travel from all over the country and even overseas to be a part of it…it’s an awesome atmosphere.”

• To see former world professional PSA squash player Gilly Lane take you on a fun look around his hometown of Philadelphia, head to www.usopensquash.com/philadelphia
• Information about tickets for the 2012 Delaware Investments U.S. Open Squash Championships can be found at www.usopensquash.com/tickets
• Drexel students are entitled to a limited number of FREE tickets to the U.S. Open each day!  Conditions apply, further details can be found at http://www.usopensquash.com/tickets/individual-tickets

Article by Todd Harrity and Kristi Maroc

With the 2012 Delaware Investments U.S. Open Squash Championships creeping up, the world’s most elite Olympic-level athletes will be heading to Philadelphia to challenge each other for one of the most coveted prizes in the world of squash – the U.S. Open title.

As a World Series event, one of a select group of professional squash tournaments that are recognized as the pinnacle of the sport, the U.S. Open showcases the absolute best of the best.

The athletes are at the top of the game, having trained for their entire lives to excel at their chosen sport – a sport which is considered one of the toughest in the world according to an ESPN study, and the healthiest in the world according to a Forbes Magazine report.

To the wonder of many, and regardless of its appeal as an intense, challenging and gripping sport, squash has yet to secure a place on the Olympic program despite an enduring fight from representatives for many decades.  The sport was very close to getting into the 2016 Games – golf, rugby 7s, and squash were the three hot candidates for inclusion in Rio 2016 – however unfortunately squash just missed out.

The Olympics are considered to be the height of world sporting accomplishment, and given the opportunity the elite professional players contesting the upcoming U.S. Open would be playing in the Olympics right now.  And they deserve it, having trained intensely and devotedly for many years to be among the best athletes in the world.

But unfortunately for squash players the opportunity to showcase their talents in a competition that attains such prominent exposure, media coverage and unsurpassed worldwide recognition is not yet a reality.

“It is so heart-breaking when you know this sport has so much to offer and we have got everything it takes to be an Olympic sport,” says Nicol David, World #1 women’s squash player and six time World Open champion.

“It is probably the most all-round sport you can find. To be in the game and not see it in the Olympics is so sad.”

Now once again the squash community is stepping up the fight towards a bid for the 2020 Olympics.  The decision for sports to be included in 2020 will be made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) next year, and currently there is a strong campaign underway to promote the bid.

On World Squash Day, October 20^th 2012, an attempt is being made by the squash community around the globe to play the ‘biggest sports match in history’.  Clubs in countries across the world are participating in the event in which two teams of 20 players, each representing ‘Team Squash’ or ‘Team 2020′ will battle it out to create sporting history in an effort to generate worldwide awareness and recognition of the sport.

According to the World Squash Day website, the target is to make headlines around the world to Back The Bid for Squash to be included in the 2020 Olympics. To do that we need to have thousands of players joining in on the day. Not only will it be the biggest squash match in history, we want to make it the biggest-ever sports match in history.

Despite the fact that IOC has denied squash in its last two attempts, hopes remain high that all the effort and hard work behind this third attempt will be fruitful.  All squash players and clubs worldwide are encouraged to participate.

“The players want it and squash enthusiasts all over the world are desperate to see the sport included in the Olympic Games,” Chief Executive of the World Squash Federation, Andrew Shelley says.

In this bid squash is in the running with baseball, roller sports, softball, climbing and wakeboarding, karate and wushu (a form of Chinese martial arts).

Many of squash’s most well known and top players and figures are actively in support of the Olympic bid, voicing strong opinions and identifying the recent innovations that make squash the best candidate for the 2020 Games.

Recent developments including the latest high definition cameras, four glass wall courts, and a standard, universal scoring system are among the innovations that make squash a more attractive candidate for the Olympics this time around.

Natalie Grainger, former world #1 and U.S. Open winner in 2004, 2007, and 2008 says that squash is an ideal sport for the Olympics due to its ability to be a gripping televised sport.

“I have seen television footage of squash in such high definition that you can see the muscles rippling on the players’ legs as they change direction.  You can see the ball very clearly as it’s being bashed around all over the court – it’s vivid, and action-packed, and makes you feel like you are right there watching it live,” she says.

Former Men’s World #1 and U.S. Open champion in 2004 and 2005, Lee Beachill  believes the inclusion of squash in the Olympics should be a priority over a number of other events.

“How much does the Olympics mean to the top footballers?  I think that it is wrong for a sport to have Olympic status if the Olympics isn’t its biggest event.

“When the top players from a sport don’t go to the Olympics, then it shouldn’t be there.  The Olympics would be the biggest thing in squash,” he says.

To emphasize just that point, earlier this year Nicol David made an astounding claim:

“I would happily trade all of my six World Open titles for an Olympic Gold,” she said.

Sadly, it is likely that 28-year old Nicol may be beyond a suitable age to participate in the Olympics in 2020 even if the bid is successful.

Regardless, her enthusiasm for the plight remains – in addition to the millions of passionate and devoted squash players around the world.

Former world #1 Jahangir Khan, often considered the world’s best ever squash player having won ten British Open titles, six World Open titles and being unbeaten for 555 consecutive matches, just recently penned an article expressing his eagerness to see squash finally make the Olympics.

“I really hope that the next generation of players get the opportunity to take part – they deserve a chance to try for the medals I missed out on,” he says.

“Squash is already played in every major multi-sport event, including the Commonwealth Games, the Pan Am Games, and the Asian Games. But competing in the Olympic Games would be the most important opportunity for a player – and winning gold the ultimate prize in the sport.”

Such tremendous and extensive efforts by the international squash community and such high hopes for so many years show just how special the Olympics would be for the professional players and fans alike.

If squash does make it on to the 2020 program of Olympic sports, no doubt it would inspire the greatest efforts from the world’s best players, all playing their hearts out to be the first Olympic squash champion.

In a game with 150 years of history and millions of enthusiastic players from every continent in the world, what a spectacular thing it will be to finally see.

To find out more about the Squash’s 2020 Bid, head to squash2020.com

To learn more about the ‘Team Squash vs Team 2020′ event on World Squash Day and register your club, head to worldsquashday.com

The lead up to the 2012 Delaware Investments U.S. Open Squash Championships has kicked off with the men’s and women’s local pre-qualifiers currently underway.

U.S. Open pre-qualifiers will be held at clubs across Philadelphia through July and August to determine the local Philadelphia professionals who will compete in the U.S. Open qualifiers on October 4 and 5.

The Men’s draw contains 12 players led by first seed Jamie Macaulay, a Scottish pro player who now coaches at the Fairmount Athletic Club and who competed in last year’s U.S. Open after qualifying through the 2011 pre-qualifiers, and second seed Alex Stait who is a former English professional player and now a full-time squash coach at the Merion Cricket Club.

The draw also includes two American hopefuls.  Matthew Domenick graduated this spring from the University of Rochester where he played for the varsity college squash team and captained the team during his final season.  During his junior squash career he was the U.S. Boys U17 National Champion, and represented the United States at the 2008 World Junior Championships in Zurich, Switzerland.  Dent Wilkens is a graduate of Princeton University where he played on the varsity squash team for four years, and now works for the sport he loves as Program Director at U.S. SQUASH.

The Women’s Draw contains eight players. First seed Alex Clark is a Scottish native who now coaches at the Fairmount Athletic Club in Philadelphia and competed in the U.S. Open in 2011 through last year’s pre-qualifiers.  Second seed is Karen Kronemeyer, who was born in Australia but is a citizen of the Netherlands.  Kronemeyer competes on the professional women’s squash tour and reached a career high singles world ranking of #40 in March 2004.  She is now the varsity squash coach and teaching professional at the Baldwin school in Bryn Mawr, Philadelphia.

There are also four Americans competing in the women’s draw, including University of Pennsylvania rising Senior Stephanie Vogel, and former Bowdoin College star Niki Clement, now head varsity coach for the men’s and women’s squash teams at Haverford College. Amy Gross, a graduate of Yale University and the current Assistant Coach of the University of Pennsylvania varsity women’s team will also be playing.  During her junior squash career, Amy represented the United States at two Word Junior Team Championships, Antwerp, Belgium in 1999 and Penang, Malaysia in 2001.  During her college squash career at Yale, her team won 3 National Championships, and as an individual she was a First-Team All-American for each of her four years.

The Women’s draw also includes local junior phenomenon Olivia Fiechter, a Philadelphia native who made it through last year’s pre-qualifiers to the 2011 U.S. Open.  Olivia recently returned from Doha, Qatar where she represented the United States in the 2012 World Junior Championships, an event she also competed in last year.  Olivia is currently a high school student at the Germantown Friends School in her junior year and has played #1 on her varsity high school squash team since she was in eighth grade.

Olivia is the current Girls U17 National Champion, as well as the 2010 U.S. Junior Open U17 champion and has been training hard for months in preparation for the World Championships held earlier in July, and although she is taking some time to relax and recharge after the competition, she is looking forward to the pre-qualifiers.

“I am most excited to play people that I haven’t before. In junior tournaments, I often end up playing the same players over and over again so I am excited to face players with new styles and more experience than I have,” she says.

The U.S. Open local pre-qualifiers will wrap up by mid-August, with the top three male professionals and top female professional winning their places into the draw for the qualifiers of the 2012 Delaware Investments U.S. Open.

Article by Todd Harrity.