Duncalf to lead Commonwealth assault on Australian Open

24 Jun 2010 - Squash Australia

Three of the main contenders for the gold medal in the women’s singles at the 2010 Commonwealth Games are heading to Canberra in August for the Australian Open squash tournament.
England’s world number two Jenny Duncalf    , fellow countrywoman Alison Waters (5) and Northern Ireland’s Madeline Perry (7) are the latest top quality players to enter the country’s most prestigious squash tournament.
They are joined in the top 10 by world number nine and 2006 champion Kasey Brown, the 24-year-old from Taree in New South Wales, who will be desperate to win another trophy after being runner up in 2007 and 2008 and a semi-finalist last year.
With the closing date for entries not for another two weeks, the 2010 women’s field is shaping up as the strongest since the glory days when Australian greats Michelle Martin     and Sarah Fitz-Gerald dominated the sport.
So far eight of the world’s top 20 have entered and another four players ranked between 20 and 30 have also confirmed.
They include New Zealand pair Jaclyn Hawkes (14) and Joelle King (20), Malaysian duo Delia Arnold (22) and Low Wee Wern (27), Australian Donna Urquhart (16) and Frenchwoman Isabelle Stoehr (18).
Duncalf, 27, had a stellar year in 2009, winning three major tournaments in a row to end the year, including the US Open and Qatar Classic.
She is the last woman to have beaten world number one Nicol David and is heavily favoured to push the Malaysian superstar at this year’s Commonwealth Games.
“We are delighted to welcome players of this calibre to Canberra,” Squash Australia CEO Gary O’Donnell said.
“It’s been many years since Australian squash fans have been able to see the world’s best women on our shores.
“I encourage all sports fans to get to the ACT in August and see just how exciting squash can be.”
The last Englishwoman to win the Australian Open was Lisa Opie, who won the title in 1986 and 1987.
The Australian Open will be held on the all-glass court at Canberra’s Royal Theatre from August 10-15.