Top flight squash returns

After the success of the 2015 Golden Jubilee US$ 5000 professional squash men’s event, it has returned to Hamilton Squash and Tennis Club.

The club has teamed up with the Devoy Squash and Fitness Centre in Tauranga to run their $ 5000 events backto- back to create a circuit for local and international players to visit New Zealand and play.

The tournaments give valuable experience and a rare chance for local players to earn world ranking points, without having to travel overseas for PSA- level events.

Players from all over the world will arrive in Hamilton to compete, along with a number of Kiwi players.

Evan Williams ( world- ranked 101) will be back to defend the title he won in 2015 and is the top seed for this event. Williams will face a qualifier in the first round with second seed Adam Murrills ( world- ranked 134) of England due to face a qualifier in the first round.

The wildcard slot has been awarded to Zac Millar, who is a Hillary Scholar at the University of Waikato and looking to advance his promising career through these events.

TheWaikato Open will also run a normal tournament alongside the professional event, where local player Joelle King ( world ranked 9) will be back to defend her title.

About 200 entries are expected for the event, which will also use courts at the nearby Hamilton Old Boys Squash Club.

PSA games will be competed on the Susan Devoy Court, which was originally built for the 1971World Championships, and the Murray Day Court that was added on in 1983.

Qualifying rounds for the PSA event will begin at midday and 12.50pm on Thursday, with the main draw starting from 5pm on Friday.

Entry is free all weekend.