Gregory Gaultier of France returns the ball to Chris Simpson of England during their PSA World Championship match at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, in this December 12, 2012 file picture. Gaultier won the 2011 Qatar Classic and will be in Doha to defend his title.
Doha: World No. 7 Peter Barker of England has withdrawn from the 2013 Qatar Classic tournament which begins here from November 10 at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, a Qatar Squash Federation (QSF) official said yesterday.
However, returning to defend his crown in Doha will be Frenchman Gregory Gaultier, the World No. 2, it was confirmed yesterday.
Other notable names who will feature in the week-long action at the $150,000 prize money event include, recently crown world champion Englishman Nick Matthew and compartiot James Willstrop.
“Peter Barker has been forced to pull out from the Qatar Classic on account of the injury he suffered at the World Championship in Manchester, England,” informed Gamal Rasmi, Technical Secretary at QSF.
The Qatar Classic has established itself as one of the squash calendar’s premier events and is part of the PSA World Series. Barker place in the main draw has been handed to another Englishman Adrian Grant. Grant is one of the 24 players who have found a place in the main draw. Eight other players will make to the main draw through the qualifying rounds which begin tomorrow.
Qatar promising youngster Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi, who has been having a good run on the PSA Circuit, has been handed a wild card and will take on former world champion Ramy Ashour in his first round match.
Ashour, who was forced to retire from his semi-final tie against Nick Matthew due to leg injuries, is expected to be fit in time for the Doha challenge.
“Players taking part in the qualifying rounds of the championship have already arrived and allthe arangements to host the championship are complete. The seeded players will be arriving today,” informed Rasmi.The Peninsula
