Craig tipped to win South Island title
17 May 2013Canterbury's Megan Craig is the red hot favourite to take out the Women's Open title at this weekend's South Island Championships in Nelson.
The world number 52 is gearing up for next week's WSA world tour event in Western Australia and will see this week's event as the perfect chance to get on a winning roll. She is also taking the opportunity for some extra squash by lining up in the men's open draw.
Craig's nearest rival in the women's event is expected to be former New Zealand junior representative Kerry Wickett, while Erin Ellery and Emma Sim make up the top four seeds.
Meanwhile, Southland's Shaun Madden is top seed in the men's draw, but could face a stiff challenge from rising star Chris van der Salm. The Midlands teen is in top form at the moment, finishing runner-up in the New Zealand Junior Open at the North Shore Squash Club last month.
Two players at the opposite end of their careers make up the top four, with Shane Johnston seeded third and Grant Craig fourth.
The South Island Championships get underway on Friday.
Draws
Men
First round
1. Shaun Madden BYE
Adrian Mennell vs Paul Roughan
Andrew Ellis vs Clark Ellery
4. Grant Craig vs Martin McKelvie
3. Shane Johnston vs Brendon Monk
Jason van der Walt vs Scott Galloway
Nick Wiffen vs Megan Craig
2. Chris van der Salm vs Christopher Collins
Women
First round
1. Megan Craig BYE
Julie Gillaly vs Christine Palmer
Maree Smith vs Jodie Backhouse
4. Emma Sim vs Corina Stebbings
3. Erin Ellery vs Susan Netto
Nicola Dann vs Sophie O'Connell
Susan O'Connell vs Christine Castle
2. Kerry Wickett vs Kelsi Carrick
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