Koukal and Corren favoured in Christchurch

Jan Koukal (Czech) and Mike Corren (Australia) are the top seeds at this weekend's Doubledot Media Christchurch International Open.

Burnside Squash Club in Christchurch will once again play host to top international squash talent this year, hosting the Christchurch International Open $5,000 PSA event for the third consecutive year.  The event has seen players ranked as high as 60 in the world travel to Christchurch, where the draw will include players from twelve different countries.

Jan Koukal, fresh from a semi-final appearance at the NZ International Classic in Palmerston North, is the top seed for the event, and has drawn a qualifier in the first round.  Ageless Australian Mike Corren (the 2012 champion) is the second seed, and will be looking to add to his 50 career PSA tour titles.  The main draw features only one New Zealander - Cantabrian Andrew Ellis who occupies the wildcard slot and will come up against England's Adam Murrills in the first round.

A number of other Kiwis will be hoping to change that though, with several New Zealanders to be found in the Qualification Draw.  Prime New Zealand hopes include third and fourth seeds Kashif Shuja and Ben Grindrod, while Chris van der Salm is the seventh seed.  Qualifying begins at 11.45am on Thursday 19 June, with qualifying finals to be played on Thursday evening from 6pm (all at Burnside Squash Club).

Four players from the qualifying draw will win through to the main draw, which begins at 5.30pm on Friday at Burnside Squash Club.  Quarter-finals will be played on Saturday from 11.30am, with semi-finals beginning at 5.30pm.  The final is scheduled for 3pm on Sunday.

Entry to the Christchurch International Open is free for all spectators throughout the weekend.

Draws

• Main draw
• Qualification Draw