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BRITISH OPEN SQUASH NEWS Champion Nicol Peaks For British Open in Nottingham British sport is expected to get a lift in Nottingham next week when a home winner of the British Open is predicted. England's world No1 Peter Nicol is seeded to retain his title in the British Open Squash Championships at the city's Albert Hall from 01-05 October. Britain's most successful squash player since the legendary Jonah Barrington, Nicol is going for his third title - exactly 30 years after Barrington claimed his then record sixth British Open trophy. The action will be played out on a spectacular state-of-the-art all-glass court - the first time that such a court has been seen in the East Midlands. Nicol, who famously 'defected' from his country of birth Scotland two years ago to take advantage of England's World Class Performance Programme initiatives, is enjoying a timely boost of form after a miserable four-month period in which he failed to reach a PSA Tour final. Last week in Boston, however, the 30-year-old from London fought through a tough field to win the prestigious US Open title for a record fourth time - capping the achievements of former squash greats such as Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan. "I know that some people were beginning to predict my demise in the period leading up to Boston, so I was particularly pleased to win the title, especially beating David Palmer in a tight final. "I was certainly a bit nervous at the beginning of the week, coming off a poor run of form, and I really wanted to do well," recalled Nicol. "But the British Open is something special, and I am really looking forward to retaining my title in Nottingham," said the defending champion who won his first British Open title in 1998, beating Jansher Khan in a memorable final on his 25th birthday. In his first match in Nottingham since leading England to success in the European Championships in his long-awaited team debut for his new country in May, Nicol faces Scottish champion Martin Heath in what is certain to be an emotionally-charged first round match. Success there could take him to a quarter-final against his Commonwealth Games Doubles gold-medal-winning partner Lee Beachill, the world No10 from Yorkshire. "It's amazing, isn't it, that I'm meeting a Scot in my first match - after facing John White, the world No3, in my European debut earlier in the year," Nicol noted. "Martin and I have played each other countless times since we were juniors in Scotland years ago, and it'll be tough. He's beaten me twice in recent years, and he's quite capable of doing it again - it's just a case of how he turns up on the day!" Nicol will arrive in Nottingham fresh from his BBC TV "Blue Peter" debut this week when he launched National Squash Week. "It was great fun," said the England No1. "I played presenter Simon on England Squash's fabulous new inflatable court in the studio - and I got my Blue Peter badge!" Nicol's pre-British Open activities will include partnering former English tennis star Chris Wilkinson in a doubles match against Tim Henman and rugby league's Ellery Hanley at the opening of the National Tennis Centre in Manchester this week. The 2003 British Open will feature 16-draw men's and women's events and a full programme of men's and women's Masters events. Tickets are available from the special telephone hotline 0115-941 9419. Further details regarding ticket availability can be received by emailing Men's first round draw: [1] Peter Nicol (ENG) v Martin Heath (SCO) [7] Lee Beachill (ENG) v Qualifier [4] Jonathon Power (CAN) v Mark Chaloner (ENG) [8] Joseph Kneipp (AUS) v Qualifier [5] Anthony Ricketts (AUS) v Qualifier [3] John White (SCO) v Mansoor Zaman (PAK) [6] Ong Beng Hee (MAS) v Qualifier [2] David Palmer (AUS) v Amr Shabana (EGY) |
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