Five Top Twenty players headline 2009 Motor City Open
Top-seeded Englishman Adrian Grant (right, matched against Ireland’s Liam Kenny in the 2006 Motor City Open) leads this year’s field. (Birmingham Athletic Club photo)Top seed Grant leads the way
Birmingham, Mich. – World #11 Adrian Grant of England leads five of the world’s Top Twenty pro squash players into the tenth annual Motor City Open presented by the Suburban Collection, January 28-February 2. The tournament will be hosted by Michigan’s premier squash facility, the Birmingham Athletic Club, north of Detroit.
Also vying for the $30,000 purse and a Rolex watch presented by Greenstone’s Jewelers will be defending Motor City Open champion, Olli Tuominen, the #22 ranked player from Finland. Spain’s #14-ranked Borja Golan is the second-seed, Laurens Jan-Anjema (#17) of the Netherlands is third, and Australia’s lanky Cameron Pilley (#18) fourth. World #19 Stewart Boswell will be seeded fifth as he seeks to capture a title he lost in 2007 to Tuominen.
Top seed Grant is no stranger to the Motor City Open, having played here since 2005. Despite a hip injury that briefly dropped him out of the world’s Top 16 in early 2008, Grant has resumed his assault on the world’s Top Ten. His stirring victory over World #2 (and former Motor City Open champ) Greg Gaultier last October at the World Championships in Manchester, England vaulted him to his highest-ever ranking of #11. Grant’s first round opponent will be local favorite Julian Wellings, former world #46 and the BAC’s resident squash pro.
In addition to familiar faces like Boswell, Tuominen, and Grant, Motor City fans will get their first look at two-seed Golan, a PSA tour veteran at 26 who had a career year in 2008. The dashing Spaniard rose ten spots to achieve his best-ever ranking: #14 in the world.
Who else to look for in 2009? Golan himself might be of some help. When asked by Squash360.com to name the funniest person on tour, Golan nominated Egypt’s Hisham Ashour.
The entertaining Hisham, world #23, will be at the Motor City Open this year.
In addition to the world’s top players, the Motor City Open offers kids clinics with guest appearances by the touring pros, and a pro-am doubles tournament. Qualifying matches kick off the tournament Wednesday, Jan. 28
For tickets call Julian Wellings at 248 646-1663 or email: jwellings@mail.birminghamathleticclub.com.
