SOME of the state’s best squash exponents will converge on Bathurst once more this weekend to contest the Bathurst Open, and though numbers are slightly down there is no shortage of quality according to the tournament’s organiser.
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“There has been a bit of a dip in entries so far for this year but I think the actual strength of the event is up this year, especially in the top end of the competition,” tournament co-ordinator Dave Fuller said.
“Up until this morning [Wednesday] we did have last year’s men’s open champion Nathan Kan returning to defend his title but he is out after picking up an infection.
“But we do have Matt Karwalski coming to compete - he is currently ranked 78th in the world and won the title here back in 2006 and hasn’t been back since then.”
Fuller anointed Karwalski the top seed and strong favourite for overall honours in the opens event, but said there will be plenty of talent out to make life difficult for the world-rated fancy. “Dylan Reynolds will be returning after being beaten in last year’s final while Sherose Khan who made the semi-finals last year and was a strong favourite, will also be back,” Fuller said.
“Howie Johns and Josh Larkin are also both very strong and genuine open players.
“On a local level, Cameron Deehan and Jake Evans will fly the flag for Bathurst - they are both very accomplished juniors though Cameron is only just returning from an ankle operation so I’m not sure how he will go.”
Despite the slide in overall numbers, there are extra entries in the women’s side of the tournament in 2009.
Defending champion Jane Kennedy will be out to keep her crown while local hope Alisha Atkinson looms as her most likely opponent come the pointy end of the event.
The Open gets underway early on Saturday morning at both Bathurst Panthers squash courts as well as the Bathurst City Squash centre, with play taking place right through the weekend before finals time begins on Sunday afternoon.
“As I said, overall numbers are down slightly but the strength of the players has increased and there are some genuine good quality players lining up,” Fuller said. “If anyone wants to get down and have a look and see some high-quality squash they are more than welcome to do so.”
In addition to the competition, a clinic will be available to budding squash players on Friday afternoon from 4 to 6pm to give those attending the chance to learn from the cream of the crop.
