The reigning world champions head the fields in the Forexx Dutch Open Squash Championships - boasting a total prize fund of US$63,500 - which will take place at the Frans Otten Stadion in Amsterdam from August 28 to September 2.

The women’s draw is represented by the sport's finest - led by Amsterdam-based world number one and two-times World Champion Nicol David.  The 23-year old Malaysian, who recently won both the Malaysian Open and the Singapore Masters after appearing in her 15th successive WISPA World Tour event final, is expected to face her long time rival Natalie Grinham, the world number two from Australia, in Sunday’s final.

The third and fourth seeding positions are held by two previous world number ones, Rachael Grinham and Natalie Grainger - and the host country will be represented by record ten-times Dutch national champion and another former world number one and World Champion Vanessa Atkinson.  The strong main draw of sixteen players includes eight out of the top ten world-ranked players.

Leading the men’s draw is another double World Champion and former world number one David Palmer. The 31-year old Australian, currently ranked three on the PSA world rankings, was a last-minute replacement for the popular big-hitter John White, who withdrew on the eve of closing date due to a hamstring injury.

Finnish star Olli Tuominen is seeded second in the new Dutch PSA Tour squash event, ahead of the home crowd favourite and two-times Dutch national champion Laurens Jan Anjema and England’s Alister Walker. The men’s main draw also features six more players out of the top 50.

Tournament promoter Tommy Berden is excited by the support of the world's best players:  "Obviously we are disappointed that John White had to withdraw at the last moment due to injury, but we are extremely happy that David Palmer is able to replace him.  Together with Nicol David, we now have the two current World Champions playing our event.

"And on top of that, we also have a very strong field all the way through to the last qualifier, so we can look forward to a great week of squash at the highest level."

Women's 1st round draw:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) v Margriet Huisman (NED)
[7] Madeline Perry (IRL) v Qualifier
[4] Natalie Grainger (USA) v Engy Kheirallah (EGY)
[6] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) v Qualifier
[8] Vanessa Atkinson (NED) v Qualifier
[3] Rachael Grinham (AUS) v Jenny Duncalf (ENG)
[5] Vicky Botwright (ENG) v Qualifier
[2] Natalie Grinham (AUS) v Alison Waters (ENG)

Men's 1st round draw:
[1] David Palmer (AUS) v Qualifier
[6] Davide Bianchetti (ITA) v Qualifier
[4] Alister Walker (ENG) v Amr Mansi (EGY)
[8] Dylan Bennett (NED) v Qualifier
[5] Bradley Ball (ENG) v Tarek Momen (EGY)
[3] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) v Tom Hoevenaars (NED)
[7] Omar Elborolossy (EGY) v Scott Handley (ENG)
[2] Olli Tuominen (FIN) v Qualifier
 
For more information and updates please visit www.dutchopensquash.nl