Players from more than 12 countries will compete in the Banks’ English Squash Grand Prix at Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash Club from 12-13 September, according to event organisers internationalSPORTgroup.
South African Stephen Coppinger has been confirmed as the event’s top seed and will line up against players from England, Scotland, Italy, USA, New Zealand, Egypt, India, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Finland and Malta in a bid to gain one of eight places on offer in the main draw of the ROWE British Grand Prix, which will be held in Manchester from 15-20 September.
Coppinger, the 25-year-old world No45 from Cape Town has already earned 2010 Super Series ranking points in the North American Open and the Sky Open in Egypt.
The championship is the official qualification competition for the ROWE British Grand Prix which will be will be the sixth of ten Professional Squash Association (PSA) Super Series events in 2010, Europe’s largest World Tour ranking event and the only PSA Super Series event to be staged in the UK this year.
“The Banks’ English Grand Prix – Wolverhampton 2010 will provide an unparalleled opportunity for the UK’s most exciting young and emerging squash talents to compete against the world’s very best players as they seek entry to the only PSA Super Series championship to be held in Europe this year,” said Paul Walters of internationalSPORTgroup.
“We are delighted with the strength of the international field and look forward to another successful event which further extends our proud partnership with one of the UK’s premier squash clubs.”
Lining up in Wolverhampton next month will be: Stephen Coppinger (RSA), Amr Swelim (ITA), Gilly Lane (USA), Chris Simpson (ENG), Alan Clyne (SCO), Adrian Waller (ENG), Kashif Shuja (NZL), Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY), Robbie Temple (ENG), Laurence Delasaux (ENG), Steve Finitsis (AUS), Joe Lee (ENG), Siddharth Suchde (IND), Christopher Gordon (USA), Max Lee (HKG), Ivan Yuen (MAS), Matthew Karwalski (AUS), Shaun le Roux (ENG), Henrik Mustonen (FIN), Eddie Charlton (ENG), Bradley Hindle (MLT), Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND), Joel Hinds (ENG), James Snell (ENG), Jaymie Haycocks (ENG), Lewis Walters (ENG), Andrew Birks (ENG), Anthony Graham (ENG), Adam Murrills (ENG), Richard Birks (ENG), Oliver Holland (ENG) and Peter Goodings (ENG).
Stephen Russell, Chairman of Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis & Squash Club and organiser for the Banks’ English Grand Prix, added: “We were delighted to host the Banks’ English Grand Prix in Wolverhampton and be part of the ROWE British Grand Prix, one of the World Tour’s most important events.
“I am sure that the enthusiasm and support of our club members and members of local squash clubs will make the event very enjoyable for the competitors and everyone is looking forward to the club again showcasing some of the world's most exciting players."
Entry is free for all spectators and matches start at 12:00 noon on the Sunday and 5:30pm on the Monday.