Top Stars Turn Out for National Champs

New Zealand's top squash professionals will turn out in force for the National Championships this weekend.

New Zealand's top squash professionals will turn out in force for the New Zealand National Squash Championships in New Plymouth this weekend.

2012 champions Martin Knight and Joelle King are back to defend their titles, but both will need to be on top of their game with some stiff competition ahead.

Knight is set to resume his rivalry with fellow pro Campbell Grayson in the men's draw, with the country's two top players seeded to meet in the final.  Grayson will also be keen to reclaim the title he won back in 2010.

However, the top two seeds may not have it all their own way, with rising star Evan Williams capable of an upset.  Williams has been making waves on the PSA World Tour lately and as third seed could well prove the fly in the ointment.

Meanwhile, King also faces a tough challenge in the final, if everything goes to plan according to the seedings.  The world number 12 is expected to meet New Zealand teammate and world number 17 Jaclyn Hawkes in the title decider.  Like Grayson, Hawkes is a former champion (2009) who will be keen to upset the form card.

Third seed Kylie Lindsay will also have designs on making the final, while Amanda Landers-Murphy and Megan Craig are two young players on the rise who are capable of an upset or two.

The New Zealand National Championships gets underway on Friday, August 3 at Kawaroa Park in New Plymouth.