BELFAST PROFESSIONAL SQUASH EVENT BIGGER IN 2016
Legacy Wealth Belfast Open Squash 2016
After the success of last year’s inaugural professional squash event, the Legacy Wealth Belfast Open Squash 2016 will be even bigger. Squash professionals from both the Men’s and Women’s PSA World 
Tour will compete for a total $10k prize money at the Belfast Boat Club from 23th – 28th August.
The Main Draw has been released and the organisers are again delighted with the quality of the entry list which includes a recent world junior champion.
The draw for the inaugural Women’s event in particular has exceeded expectations. The top seed is 17 year old Habiba Mohamed from Egypt – one of the youngest players on the Tour. She first burst on to the scene as a 14 year-old, winning the Malaysian Tour Grand Final to become the youngest ever Tour title winner. In 2014 she won the World Junior Championship crown as she upset Nouran Gohar in the final, and has since reached a Top 20 world ranking. Definitely one to watch for the future.
The 21 year old English professional Richie Fallows heads up the Men’s draw. He captured his maiden title at the 2014 Pilatus Cup and with a string of consistent performances since then has now broken into the world’s top 70.
The top seeds are joined by 40+ other from 13 countries from Europe and Africa, creating a truly international event. From Ireland, current PSA professionals Sean Conroy and Brian Byrne have been seeded 5 and 6 respectively and local supporters will be following their progress with interest. A number of local Ulster players including upcoming juniors will be testing themselves against the professionals in the early stages of the event.
The Qualifying Event of the tournament will take place at the Belfast Boat Club on 23th and 24th August with the Main Events running on 25th – 28th August.
“We are delighted that the support of Legacy Wealth and Belfast City Council has allowed us to add a Women’s $5K event this year. We hope that having a women’s world junior champion playing here in Belfast will be an inspiration to our own junior players,” said Tournament Promoter Jeff Hearst.
Belfast Open Squash 2016
Main Draw Women
[1] Habiba Mohamed (EGY) v [Qualifier]
[Qualifier] v [8] Rachael Chadwick (ENG)
[5] Ineta Mackevica (LAT) v Xisela Aranda (ESP)
[Qualifier] v [4] Anna Klimundova (CZE)
[3] Tinne Gilis (BEL) v [Qualifier]
Jenny Haley (WAL) v [6] Hana Moataz (EGY)
[7] Elin Harlow (WAL) v Yemisi Olatunji (NGR)
Tessa Ter Sluis (NED) v [2] Alison Thomson (ENG)
Main Draw Men
[1] Richie Fallows (ENG) v Joeri Hapers (BEL)
[Qualifier] v [8] Yuri Farneti (ITA)
[6] Brian Byrne (IRL) v Bradley Masters (ENG)
[Qualifier] v [3] Douglas Kempsell (SCO)
[4] Lyell Fuller (ENG) v Elliot Selby (ENG)
[Qualifier] v [7] Tristan Eysele (RSA)
[5] Sean Conroy (IRL) v [Qualifier]
[WC] Stephen Hearst (IRE) v [2] Chris Fuller (ENG)
Legacy Wealth: The title sponsor of the Belfast Open, Legacy Wealth, is a Belfast-based specialist firm of independent financial planners, providing advice for individuals, businesses and trusts. For further information, go to: http://www.legacywealth.co.uk/
