(18.08.2014) Hong Kong men’s team has been growing strongly in the international squash arena in recent years with the emergence of Lee Ho-yin Max and Au Chun-ming Leo, who are crowned in different professional competitions, while the upcoming Yip Tsz-fung and Tang Cheuk-yan are also equipping to be featured on the world stage. Max Lee, the top men’s player believes the coming “Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Squash Open 2014” would be the best time for them to rewrite the local men’s squash history and to level the women’s team record in front of the home crowd.
The annual squash extravaganza, “Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Squash Open 2014” will be kicked off this Sunday, 24 Aug. In the last few years, home women’s players have been performing well in the Open. One of the most remarkable moments was in 2011 when Au Wing-chi Annie and Chan Ho-ling Joey both entered the quarter-finals. Annie Au even reached top 4 in 2011 and 2013. On the other hand, local men’s players have always been stopped by the strong line-up in the first round. This year, with Max Lee being able to qualify for the main draw with his current world ranking No. 25, and Yip Tsz Fung debut in the main event via the wild card. This gives the men’s team much confidence to advance a further step in the Open.
First captured his gold medal in East Asian Games last year, Max claimed the champion title in HK Football Club International 25 and Victoria Open respectively this year, it proves his hard work has been paid off. As the ever-first home-grown men player to enter the main event straight, Max still wants more, “I remember when I turned full-time seven years ago, it was like my dream came true when I got to the main draw as a qualifier to compete with other world top 32 players. And this time, I become part of the best 32. I’m glad that I can accomplish my goals step by step. And my bigger goal this time is to keep winning.”
The main draw qualification besides is a millstone for Max, it also has a huge impact on the local men players. “Since Rebecca Chiu, Annie Au and Joey Chan, the women’s players have attained very good results internationally, but the men’s players are still struggling to climb to certain height in the higher-level event. This Open will be our chance! Yip Tsz-fung and I will appear in the main event. If Leo can reach the main draw from the qualifying rounds, there will be at least three of us in the main event. I believe this is definitely a good thing for us!” Max hopes the men and women’s team can both achieve new heights hand in hand at “Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Squash Open 2014”. He also has great confidence on his first match against the 8th seed Daryl Selby from England to make a breakthrough in Hong Kong Open.
After the Hong Kong Open where the three young gentlemen will fight for their individual glory, they will team up with Tang Cheuk-yan next month at the Incheon Asian Games to fight for a bigger honour. The current world no. 39 Leo Au, who needs to go through the qualifying rounds of the Open will not let his teammates down, “I was in the main draw with the wild card last couple years, this time, I’ll start from the qualifying round so my first target is to get into the main event. There are lots of world-class players at the Open. This would be a great training opportunity.” Leo would take the Open as a warm-up to prepare for the Asian Games.
The only 20 years old Yip Tsz Fung will join Max and Leo at the Hong Kong Open. After turning into a full-time athlete last year, Yip found he has tremendous improvement in different aspects. He even sets his goal after Max of reaching world top 25, “I once thought it was too hard to be on the top. It’s too far!! Being the first local home-grown player to enter the main event direct, Max made me realize that it could happen. I hope I can also be on the top in the future.” Yip will meet Simon Rosner from Germany in the first round. He will grab all opportunities to learn from these top players.
Another young player Tang Cheuk-yan will be absent in the Hong Kong Open as he will be in another tournament in Australia. He will pray for his teammates while fighting hard to boost his confidence for the Asian Games in September.
