Squash Canada has unveiled the logo for the Women’s World Team Squash Championship 2014, the World Squash Federation (WSF) championship which will take place from 1-6 December at White Oaks Conference Resort & Spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake in the Canadian province of Ontario. The biennial Championship will feature the top female players on the planet representing their nations. Teams from every continent will participate and the Championship will serve as the Official Test Event for the 2015 Pan Am Games. The 2012 Championship, played in France, was won by Egypt and they will be seeking to repeat in the 2014 edition. The 2014 Championship logo is a pictogram of a maple leaf comprised of 31 silhouettes of the leading female squash professionals from around the world. These silhouettes are based on the photography of Steve Cubbins of SquashSite and include such international luminaries as Malaysia’s world No1 Nicol David, England’s new world champion Laura Massaro, and Egyptian Raneem El Welily, all of whom are expected to be participating. Squash Canada Executive Director Danny Da Costa said: “The Women’s World Team Squash Championship logo symbolizes national pride and illustrates female competitive excellence, which is the essence of the World Team Championship.” Robert and Michael, of Pacey + Pacey Design of Vancouver, BC, designed the event logo: Their client list includes many squash associations and clubs including NY Squash, PSA, Squash BC and Squash Canada. Robert Pacey, an avid Canadian squash player, is the founder of Squash Republic. WSF Chief Executive Officer Andrew Shelley added: “Championship logos are necessary, but can be very creative too – and this one is! These Canadian-hosted championships are going to raise the bar in many elements, and their event identity has just provided another example of the vitality and innovation that Squash Canada are bringing to the table.” Full coverage on www.wsfwomensteams.com |
| Mighty Max Shocks Darwish At Canary Wharf
Max Lee, the World Ranked No.33 from Hong Kong, pulled off an astonishing upset in the first round of the 2014 Canary Wharf Classic, recording an emphatic 3-0 victory over No.4 seed and former World No.1 Karim Darwish. The 26-year-old, who earned his berth in the first round after progressing through qualification, delighted the packed house at London’s spectacular East Wintergarden as his attacking approach saw him complete a dramatic and tense 11-8, 13-11, 19-17 win.
Lee, who reached a career-high World No.30 ranking in 2012, produced some of his best squash in recent years to open up a one game lead in just eight minutes and he then showed his steel to see out two tie-breaks and earn the victory. “I had nothing to lose so I had no fear to play him,” said Lee. “I have played him since I was 22 and he has beat me quite a few times. “He is one of the best players in the world but I have learnt from every match against him and I’ve watched his recent matches to find some areas where I could attack. “I just tried to get to the ball early and try and be positive. It can be a fear to attack against the top players but it’s an awesome feeling to win and I’m very happy.”
Having previously failed to reach the main draw at any PSA World Tour event in 2014, Lee will now take on World No.14 Miguel Angel Rodriguez in his first quarter-final since the 2013 Alwatan and Asnan International after the Columbian beat London’s Adrian Grant in a thrilling five-game encounter. “Miguel and I train together so we know each other very well,” he said. “We are similar players and I think we have some of the same strong points so I have to get focused and prepared but I’m ready for it.”
English World No.1 and current World Squash Champion Nick Matthew eased through his opening match-up, taking just 39 minutes to see off Scotland’s Alan Clyne 3-0. Matthew, who will be hoping to add to the Canary Wharf titles he won in 2010, 2011 and 2013, was at his aggressive, attritional best to pull off the 11-6, 11-7, 11-5 victory. “Alan seemed to have his best patches at the end of each game so it was lucky that I got a good start in each game to help see me through,” said Matthew. “He plays at a fast pace and is very tenacious so I’m happy to get that win.” In the day’s final match-up, Egypt’s World No.11 Omar Mossad beat compatriot Karim Abdel Gawad 3-1 in a match marred by 70 decisions required of the referees in its 71-minutes duration, to book his place against Matthew in the quarter-finals.
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Squash Canada Unveils 2014 Women’s World Team Championship Logo
