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After a three-year COVID-enforced hiatus, Switzerland’s Grasshopper Cup makes a long-awaited return to the PSA World Tour tomorrow.
The Grasshopper Cup, which will be played in Halle 622 in Zurich-Oerlikon and Squash Arena Uster, is one of squash’s great traditional tournaments, with the event first being played in 1979.
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The Gold-level event, which features a men’s and women’s draw, will be best-of-three scoring up to and including the quarter-finals, before moving to best-of-five scoring for the semi-finals and finals [CHECK!]
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In the men’s event, World No.1 Ali Farag leads the draw. The 30-year-old will be hoping to recover from a disappointing end to his US Open last week after suffering an injury just two minutes into the final. The Egyptian, who is set to appear in his fourth Grasshopper Cup, is aiming for a maiden title after a defeat in the 2017 final.
In the women’s event, reigning World Champion and current World No.2 Nour El Sherbini leads the draw. The 26-year-old is playing in her first Grasshopper Cup and is seeded to meet World No.3 Hania El Hammamy in the final.
Men’s Draw: Grasshopper Cup
[1] Ali Farag (EGY) [bye]
Sebastien Bonmalais (FRA) v [9/16] Nicolas Mueller (SUI)
[916] Youssef Soliman (EGY) v Auguste Dussourd (FRA)
[7] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) [bye]
[6] Joel Makin (WAL) [bye]
Borja Golan (ESP) v [9/16] Eain Yow Ng (MAS)
[9/16] Baptiste Masotti (FRA) v Lucas Serme (FRA)
[4] Diego Elias (EGY) [bye]
[3] Mostafa Asal (EGY) [bye]
Greg Lobban (SCO) v [9/16] Gregoire Marche (FRA)
[9/16] Raphael Kandra (GER) v [WC] Dimitri Steinmann (SUI)
[5] Tarek Momen (EGY) [bye]
[8] Fares Dessouky (EGY) [bye]
George Parker (EGY) v [9/16] Omar Mosaad (EGY)
[9/16] Miguel Rodriguez (COL) v Patrick Rooney (ENG)
[2] Paul Coll (NZL)
Women’s Draw: Grasshopper Cup
[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) [Bye]
Cindy Merlo (SUI) v [9/16] Anna Serme (CZE)
[9/16] Tinne Gilis (BEL) v [WC] Nadia Pfister (SUI)
[8] Olivia Fiechter (USA) [Bye]
[5] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) [Bye]
Nour Aboulmakarim (EGY) v [9/16] Melissa Alves (FRA)
[9/16] Emily Whitlock (WAL) v Emilia Soini (FIN)
[4] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) [Bye]
[3] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) [Bye]
Cristina Gomez (ESP) v [9/16] Tesni Evans (WAL)
[9/16] Nadine Shahin (EGY) v Julianne Courtice (ENG)
[6] Salma Hany (EGY) [Bye]
[7] Georgina Kennedy (ENG) [Bye]
Marie Stephan (FRA) v [9/16] Alexandra Fuller (RSA)
[9/16] Hollie Naughton (CAN) v Enora Villard (FRA)
[2] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) [Bye]
The four Swiss players involved will no doubt be cheered to the rafters by the crowd at Halle 622, which has a capacity of 500.
Leading the home hopes is World No.18 Nicolas Mueller. The 33-year-old faces France’s Sebastien Bonmalais in the opening round, while wildcard and World No.38 Dimitri Steinmann goes up against Germany’s Raphael Kandra.
In the women’s draw, World No.50 Cindy Merlo plays Czech Republic’s Anna Serme, with wildcard and World No.75 Nadia Pfister taking on Belgium’s World No.12 Tinne Gilis.
The opening round of the Grasshopper Cup will take place at Squash Arena Uster, where entry will be free for the public. Play then moves to Halle 622 from the second round onwards.
