Defending champion Ramy Ashour (le), the world No3 from Egypt, has withdrawn from the 2014 JP Morgan Tournament of Champions, the iconic PSA event which will take place at New York’s famous Grand Central Terminal from January 17-24.
Ashour was forced off the court due to injury during the Hong Kong Open quarter-final vs Borja Golan (ri) in December, and the Egyptian star has since failed to return to full fitness.
“The ToC is one of my favourite events but as I am still struggling with my injury the doctors have advised me not to compete with my current condition”, Ashour said.
The 2014 championship would have seen Ashour bidding to win his fourth ToC title to join Canadian squash legend Jonathon Power as the event’s most dominant competitor.
Tournament of Champions Chairman John Nimick said: “While Ramy Ashour’s unfortunate withdrawal denies him a shot at a record-tying fourth ToC title, the strength and competitive passion of the other top PSA World Tour players ensures that the 2014 J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions will once again be a showcase of electrifying competition from the sport’s great athletes.”
Revised 1st round draw:
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) v Adrian Grant (ENG)
Stephen Coppinger (RSA) v Ong Beng Hee (MAS)
Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) v Qualifier
[7] Amr Shabana (EGY) v Qualifier
[6] Peter Barker (ENG) v Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) v Qualifier
Cameron Pilley (AUS) v Qualifier
[4] James Willstrop (ENG) v Qualifier
[3] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) v [WC] Todd Harrity (USA)
Tarek Momen (EGY) v Qualifier
Chris Simpson (ENG) v Qualifier
[8] Daryl Selby (ENG) v Qualifier
[5] Karim Darwish (EGY) v Omar Mosaad (EGY)
Saurav Ghosal (IND) v Simon Rosner (GER)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) v Alister Walker (BOT)
[1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v Tom Richards (ENG)