The biggest names in squash are set for free Nad Al Sheba showdown

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  • Great challenge: Former world No1 Ramy Ashour will light up the proceedings.

    Racquet sports fans are in for a real treat as two of the biggest names in international squash, Ramy Ashour and James Willstrop are set to square off in an exhibition match at the Nad Al Sheba (NAS) Sports Complex tonight, where the world’s best players will also be in action.

    Willstrop, 30, a former world No1, current world No6 and the son of squash legend Malcolm Willstrop, has had a sensational career as a junior and owns 17 titles on the senior tour and three gold medals at the World Team Championships.

    The Englishman reached the final of the World Open in 2010, before losing to compatriot Nick Matthew, and is a three-time runner-up at the British Open.

    Ashour, 26, is also a former world No 1, and is the youngest man to reach the top of the PSA rankings since the 1980s.

    A two-time world junior squash champion, the Egyptian has won the World Open twice – in 2008 and 2012 – along with 30 other titles, including the 2013 British Open. He is believed to be one of the most talented players to ever compete in a racquet sport.

    According to Malcolm, “Ashour’s movement is better than anyone in the game, and allied to his unique racket skills and vision, he lights up the sport. Not only that, but his modesty and engaging smile make him a rare commodity.”

    The country’s squash fraternity is, understandably, excited about seeing these two stars in action and is hoping it will give their sport a boost.

    “I am really excited because this is the first time we will see two top players in action here,” said Asif Khan, who was the No3 seed at the NAS 2014 squash tournament.

    “Fans will get an opportunity to see what world-class squash is really about and I am sure it will attract many people to the sport.”

    The squash tournament wrapped up on Tuesday night at NAS with Aamir Khan taking home the title. But the action has not slowed down as the International Padel Exhibition tournament has kicked off, bringing some of the world’s top players, representing 10 teams and nine different countries.

    Star players like Andoni Bardasco and Gonzalo Rubio of Spain and Martin de Nenno and Franco Stupaczuk of Argentina will take to the courts at NAS, where a competition for UAE residents will also take place.

    The group stage concludes today, with matches scheduled from 16:00 to 19:00 and 22:00 to 1:00 while the semi-finals will be staged tomorrow (22:00) and the final is on Friday (23:30).

    Attendance is free and open to the public. Seating is limited for the squash exhibition but organisers are urging fans to come down and watch Ashour and Willstrop on the big screen in the arena.

    “Padel is a combination of four different racquet sports and it’s so much easier to pick up than tennis or squash,” says Sandy Farguharson, the head of racquet sports at NAS.

    “You can just go with your friends and have a good time and it’s also really fun to watch. These will be the very best players in the world and we’ve also included two teams of UAE residents to join them in the tournament.

    “There are daily giveaways as well, including ipads, iphones and Samsung Galaxy phones and there’s also a raffle for cars.”

    What: Ramy Ashour v James Willstrop squash exhibition, International Padel Exhibition tournament
    Where: Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, Dubai
    When: Squash exhibition tonight at 22:30, Padel action today through Friday
    Entry fee: Free

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