Fallows out to bust hoodoo

Englishman aims to be first top seed to get past Aberdeen last eight

England’s Richie Fallows tops the bill in the TRAC North of Scotland squash tournament at Aberdeen Squash and Racketball Club.

Qualifying for the event, now in its fourth year, beganyesterdayandcontinues today, with four players joining the main draw which begins tomorrow.

Aberdeen’s ScottishMasters international Mike Black leads local interest along with Inverness player Alasdair Prott, who was recently crowned Scottish Open under-17 champion. Central belt player Kevin Moran and Stuart George make up the Scottish interest in the qualifiers.

They are bidding to join world number 60 Fallows and second seed Vikram Malhotra, world number 67, in the main draw.

Fallows hopes to end the recent hoodoo surrounding the top seed. He said: “I am hoping to progress further in the competition than I did last year.

“The number one seed has never made it past the quarter-finals here, so that is something I am hoping to improve on. The club anditsmembersarealways very welcoming and accommodating and the field assembled is very strong,”

Aberdeen’s Chris Leiper has already qualified for the main draw. Now based in Edinburgh, the Scotland squad hopeful is a former ASRC singles and doubles club champion and would love to make home advantage count in his favour.

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He said: “I am looking forward to returning to Aberdeen to compete and play against some of the world’s best players on my home courts which have recently been refurbished.

“It’s a busy week for me as I played in Scottish doubles Test matches in Manchester on Monday.”

Over the week there will be 27 matches played on the show court at the Mannofield club culminating with the final on Sunday at 3pm. Alongside the main event is a graded tournament for amateurs which has attracted an entry of around 40 players from all over Scotland.

Spectators are welcome and the event is free to watch atASRConCranford Road in Mannofield.

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