Ramy Returns
12-Jun-2011 - Australian Open Team
Ramy Ashour, the main challenger to Nick Matthew's number one world ranking, will return to challenge for the Australian Open title in 2011. He is one of four Egyptians in the Main Draw announced on 11 June. They include world No 3 Karim Darwish, Wael El Hindi and the former World No1 and current No 5 Amr Shabana. Amr's first round match will be against Australian No 1 and strongly supported David Palmer.
In 2010, Ramy Ashour and Gregory Gaultier played one of the best matches ever seen in Australia in the last semi-final on Saturday afternoon. The tough match left him less than at his best for the final against Nick Matthew. He hopes 2011 will be a different story.
Like all top players, Ramy strives for fitness and consistency, but he also blasts onto the court with attacking flair and audacity. Off the court, he is just a nice guy. Australian fans love him and can't see enough of him. He doesn't hold his racket that way they were taught and the way he plays doesn't follow the Geoff Hunt bible.
Early in 2010 he made number one in the world and his rivalry for the top spot with Nick Matthew is the stuff of legends. Nick may be on top now, but it takes only a few moments of inspired attacking play from Ramy to get that ranking back.
Ramy loves coming to the Australian Open. It is after a long tour break and he feels fit and healthy. Australians are welcoming and the Centre Court in the Royal Theatre provides a great stage for squash. Last year, His Excellency the Egyptian Ambassador in Canberra came to watch virtually all of Ramy's matches with his family and staff and this made Ramy feel very much at home. Being able to get all the Egyptian top men and women together at the one event and all stay in a hotel within a short walk of the Centre Court certainly creates a great atmosphere and team spirit.
Last year, Ramy did not make enough time to get out and see Australia, but he won't make the same mistake this year. A photo of Ramy holding a koala or chasing a kangaroo would be just the souvenir to pack with the Australian Open trophy for the flight back. Monday Afternoon - Commencing at 2pm 1. Qualifier 2 vs Qualifier 3 2. Ong Beng Hee (Malaysia - World No 30) vs Quallifier No 1 3. Nicolas Mueller (Switzerland - World No 35 vs Julian Illingworth (US - World No 34) 4. Thierry Lincou (France - World No 8) vs Laurens Jan Anjema (Netherlands - World No 15) The last two matches in particular are expected tp be very close and of an exceptionally high standard. Monday Evening - Commencing at 6.30pm 1. Nick Matthew (England - World No 1) vs Stephen Coppinger (South Africa - World No 36) 2. Mohd Azlan Iskandar (Malaysia - World No 10) vs Tom Richards (England - World No 24) 3. David Palmer (Australian No 1) vs Amr Shabana (Egypt - World No 5) 4. Karim Darwish (Egypt - World No 3) vs Qualifier 4 Expect the third match of the evening to magnificent struggle from the two former World Champions unlucky enough to meet in the first round. Tuesday Afternoon - Commencing at 2pm 1. James Willstrop (England - World No 4) vs Chris Ryder (England - World No 38) 2. Qualifier 5 vs Qualifier 6 3. Simon Rosner (Germany - World No 33) vs Adrian Grant (England - World No 18) 4. Wael El Hind (Egypt - World No 16) vs Qualifier 7 Tuesday Evening - Commencing at 6.30pm 1. Aaron Frankcomb (Australian No 4) vs Peter Barker (England - World No 7) 2. Cameron Pilley (Australian No 2) vs Gregory Gaultier (France - World No 6) 3. Stewart Boswell (Australian No 3) vs Saurav Ghosal (India - World No 26) 4. Ramy Ashour (Egypt - World No 2) vs Qualifier 8 Seats Available for All Sessions Premium A seats for both Monday and Tuesday Evening, in the first fifteen rows and directly behind the rear wall of the Centre Court are available for just $40 each on line. Excellent standard seating is also available for only $20 - that's just $5 per match! Seats are cheaper in the afternoon session and there are concessions for children. First to book on line get the best seats!
Men's First Round Schedule and Match-ups
