World No. 1 Nour El Sherbini headlines a strong field this week at the Saudi Women’s Masters — the first-ever women’s squash tournament to take place in Saudi Arabia.
The tournament, which kicks off on Sunday afternoon and concludes on January 12 at Princess Nora bint Abdul Rahman University, features a host of the world’s top players including recently crowned world champion Raneem El Welily and Malaysian legend Nicol David.
It marks a historic moment for sport in Saudi Arabia, where women’s sports events are only just starting to appear on the calendar.
Last November, a first women’s basketball tournament for universities was staged in Jeddah, but this week will see the first time an international sports event for women is held in the Kingdom.
Thanks to Princess Reema for graciously hosting us @psaworldtour women last night with Ziad. Truly honoured to be part of this historical moment in Saudi Arabia. #saudiwomensquash #firstwomensportevent pic.twitter.com/GF2znwPfYT
— Nicol Ann David (@NicolDavid) January 7, 2018
Egypt’s El Sherbini, the top seed, opens her campaign on Sunday night against France’s Coline Aumard. Battling for a prize purse of $165,000, 32 of the world’s best have descended on Riyadh and are ready to impress at the first World Series event of 2018.
Ex-world No. 1 David is thrilled to be taking part in such a groundbreaking milestone for Saudi sport.
“Truly honoured to be part of this historical moment in Saudi Arabia,” said the record eight-time world champion.
First women sport event in Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 thank you @zalturki Princess Reema and @psaworldtour
A post shared by Nour El Sherbini (@noursherbini) on
Full draw of the inaugural Saudi Women’s Masters
[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v Coline Aumard (FRA)
Hania El Hammamy (EGY) v [15] Donna Urquhart (AUS)
[16] Salma Hany (EGY) v Dipika Pallikal Karthik (IND)
Heba El Torky (EGY) v [7] Alison Waters (ENG)
[8] Annie Au (HKG) v Jenny Duncalf (ENG)
Fiona Moverley (ENG) v [9] Joelle King (NZL)
[12] Victoria Lust (ENG) v Nadine Shahin (EGY)
Rachael Grinham (AUS) v [4] Nouran Gohar (EGY)
[3] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v Nele Gilis (BEL)
Mariam Metwally (EGY) v [13] Olivia Blatchford (USA)
[14] Tesni Evans (WAL) v Millie Tomlinson (ENG)
Joey Chan (HKG) v [6] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
[5] Nicol David (MAS) v Mayar Hany (EGY)
Samantha Cornett (CAN) v [10] Joshna Chinappa (IND)
[11] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) v Liu Tsz-Ling (HKG)
[WC] Nada Abo Alnaja (KSA) v [2] Camille Serme (FRA)
