In one of the busiest months on the 2009 Women's International Squash Players' Association World Tour, the world's leading players are set to compete in this week's CIMB Singapore Women’s Masters, the fifth WISPA Gold event of the year which will be staged at the Kallang Squash Centre from 5-8 August.

It is the third year of Singapore's premier squash tournament - and Malaysia's world number one Nicol David is seeded to win the title for the third time in a row!

"The CIMB Singapore Masters is one of my favourite tournaments," said the 25-year-old from Penang who successfully defended her Malaysian Open title last week.  "The fans have never failed to make me feel at home and that always lends me the advantage as I face up to the stiff opposition that shows up at this first-class tournament.

"I look forward to returning to Singapore for the CIMB Masters in this very important year for squash as we make a concerted bid to place Squash in the 2016 Olympics."

Andrew Shelley, Chief Executive of WISPA, echoes David’s thoughts: "Two years ago, we were delighted with the return of top-notch squash to Singapore with the CIMB Singapore Masters.  We have now been able to build upon this by welcoming back the New Zealand Open after 16 years.

"The Asia-Pacific swing - which takes in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and this year Tauranga in New Zealand - will surely become a real focal point of the WISPA calendar as we continue to grow our sport.

"This year, we will also be holding our WISPA Annual General Meeting in Singapore, as we look forward to the outcome of our bid to enter Squash into the Olympic Games for 2016.  And the continual success of the CIMB Singapore Masters is as crucial to the global growth of squash, as much as it is important for Singapore squash."

The Grinham sisters, Natalie and Rachael, who are ranked third and fourth in the world, will be back to deny David her hat-trick - and as always, the strong British representation of Jenny Duncalf, Alison Waters, Laura Lengthorn-Massaro, and Madeline Perry from Ireland, make this one of the most star-studded squash events in the region.

Singapore Squash Rackets Association President Desmond Hill welcomes the continued support of the title sponsor: "For an event like ours to take off, we cannot do without the strong support of our sponsors.  And CIMB Bank has proven its commitment to squash not only in its home country Malaysia, but also in the region with its sponsorship of the Singapore Women’s Masters for a third year running.

"Our tournament has also been a window into the future as we welcome the emerging youngsters in Kasey Brown of Australia, Mexico's Samantha Teran and Raneem El-Weleily of Egypt. We also welcome the delegates to WISPA staging its AGM here in Singapore for the first time, which gives us a shot in the arm that Singapore squash is heading the right direction," added Mr Hill.

Singapore will be represented in the $53,500 tournament by top local player Pamela Chua in the main draw, while Mao Shi Hui, Koh Kar Yan and Jerryca Teo are entered in the qualifying competition.

More information is available on website www.ssra.org.sg

USA's world number two Natalie Grainger, who missed the World Games due to a foot injury, will also not be in Singapore - but hopes to return next week in New Zealand.