WORLD SQUASH NEWS

World Champion Lincou Withdraws From US Opener

France's Thierry Lincou has withdrawn from the first event he was due to play as the world's No1 squash player.

The 27-year-old from Paris, who became world No1 for the first time at the beginning of this month, has sustained an ankle injury and will not now compete in the $40,000 EBS Asset Management Dayton Open in Ohio, USA, from 14-17 January.

Lincou has been replaced as top seed by Australia's world No8 Anthony Ricketts, with the draw revised as follows:

1st round:
[1] Anthony Ricketts (AUS) v Mohammed Abbas (EGY)
[8] Alex Gough (WAL) v Julian Wellings (ENG)
[3] Martin Heath (SCO) v Qualifier
[6] Simon Parke (ENG) v Qualifier
[5] Paul Price (AUS) v Qualifier
[4] Graham Ryding (CAN) v Shahier Razik (CAN)
[7] Omar Elborolossy (EGY) v Mark Chaloner (ENG)
[2] Karim Darwish (EGY) v Qualifier