Egyptian among field for Classic event

Egyptian legend Karim Darwish makes his debut appearance in next month’s star-studded Canary Wharf Squash Classic.

Darwish, the 32-year-old current world No.8, is one of the most stylish players in the game and one of five top-10 players in the draw for this PSA World Tour International 50 event which takes place at the East Wintergarden from March 24-28.

Former world number one Darwish, from Cairo, will be aiming to become the first Egyptian winner of London’s favourite squash tournament.

Tickets sold out last week and organisers are predicting one of the most entertaining competitions in the event’s 11-year history.

Darwish is joined in the draw by two other Egyptian aces, Omar Mosaad and Karim Abdel Gawad: Mosaad is placed 13 in the PSA world rankings with Gawad four spots below him.

Mosaad, one of the tallest players on the PSA World Tour, has a phenomenal reach and possesses a powerful, attacking style.

Gawad has a more slender physique but is no less ruthless and this week celebrated his seventh PSA title by beating former England international Alister Walker, now representing Namibia, in the final of the Pittsburgh Open.

The Canary Wharf Classic follows a run of major events in America, with England’s top two seeds Nick Matthew and reigning champion James Willstrop keen to hit peak form for the event.

Tournament Director Tim Garner said: “We are delighted to welcome back Nick and James, and local favourites Peter Barker and Daryl Selby make it four Englishmen from the world top 10.

“James won his fourth Canary Wharf title last year, and although Nick was disappointed to lose in the semi-finals he used that as a springboard for a great run of form later in the year that took him to his third world title in Manchester.

“The quality of the draw this year is outstanding with three players who have been world number one and six who are or have been their national number one.”

Adding international flavour to the event are German No.1 Simon Rosner, Colombia’s incredibly athletic Miguel Angel Rodriguez, and India’s Saurav Ghosal.

Londoner Adrian Grant makes it five Englishmen in the main draw, with the wild card being awarded to Alan Clyne as a major boost ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

With all tickets sold out, a waiting list is being set up should any tickets be returned.To add your name to this list, please email cw@eventis-sports.com.