A Busy Weekend Ahead for Joelle King

A big challenge for New Zealand squash star Joelle King at the Angelsea Motel Waikato Open in Hamilton this weekend.

King is lining up in both the women's and men's open draws, in what is potentially a very busy weekend for the 23-year-old from Cambridge.

Not surprisingly, the world number 12 is top seed in the women's event, where she is expected to add yet another crown to her ever increasing collection.  Her most likely opponent in the final will be either Cantabrian Megan Craig, one of the rising stars of New Zealand squash, or Bay of Plenty's Amanda Landers-Murphy who reached a career high world ranking of 51 on this month's list.

In the men's event, King faces a tough first-up task against Sam Atkins from Wellington.  Auckland's Mike Corren is seeded to win the tournament, but will have to be at his best with a number of other players also capable of taking the title.  Second seed Evan Williams from Wellington will fancy his chances of upsetting the seedings, as will the Auckland pairing of Paul Coll and Alex Grayson, seeded third and fourth respectively.

The Anglesea Motel Waikato Open gets underway tomorrow night.

Women's Open Division

First Round
1. Joelle King BYE
Abbie Palmer (Auckland) vs Georgina Shelton-Agar (Auckland)
Danielle Fourie (Central) vs Jorja Tarrant (Waikato)
4. Lisa Cowlard (Auckland) BYE
3. Amanda Landers-Murphy (Bay of Plenty) BYE
Ellie Epke (Auckland) vs Sacha Pou-Tito (Northland)
Alana Sincock (Waikato) vs Kathryn McKay (Bay of Plenty)
2. Megan Craig (Canterbury) BYE

Men's Open Division

First Round
1. Michael Corren (Auckland) vs Gary Duberly (Auckland)
Joseph Watts (Central) vs Phil Buscke-Somervell (Auckland)
Lance Beddoes (Auckland) vs Bryce Redman (Auckland)
4. Alex Grayson (Auckland) vs Matiu Te Kani McQueen (Auckland)
3. Paul Coll (Auckland) vs Michael Sunderland (Auckland)
Chris Lloyd (Auckland) vs Grant Craig (Canterbury)
Sam Atkins (Wellington) vs Joelle King (Waikato)
2. Evan Williams (Wellington) vs Mike Martin (Waikato)

Full tournament details and draws available at http://www.hstc.co.nz/