27 November 2012

CATHAY PACIFIC HONG KONG SQUASH OPEN 2012 PREVIEW: WHO WILL BE THE WINNER?

The below video is not from Hong Kong, but it shows two contenders, Amr Shabana - who has already won the Hong Kong title four times - and Gregory Gaultier - who has lost to Shabana a couple of times in those finals. Nevertheless, Gaultier is in devastating form recently and must be considered as one of the favourites of the tournament. Shabana started the season extremely motivated, and playing even very well, but he could do but little against Gaultier and Matthew so far. But he is in good physical shape and he definitely wants one more big title. Of course there is Ramy as well, having beaten Greg and Nick Matthew recently at the US Open, and there is also James Willstrop who will have the extra pressure of having to defend his points from last year (will he fail to do so there is a good chance that he will concede the #1 ranking in January). 
Anyway, the draw is open - as is the below rally with a cut ending - and squash TV is transmitting all the matches. Some hard core stuff to be expected as soon as from the first round: for example Nick Matthew vs. Simon Rosner and Ramy Ashour vs. Tarek Momen. Action starts Tuesday the 27th of November and the final will be played on Sunday 2nd of December. Don't miss out.