(09.11.2015) The biggest annual squash extravaganza in Hong Kong, “Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Squash Open 2015” marks its 30th anniversary this year will be scheduled from November 29 to December 6. Two home-grown male players Lee Ho-yin, Max whose world ranking just reached to the career high at No. 13 and the newly Asian Champion, Au Chun-ming Leo both believe this coming Hong Kong Open would be the best time for a break-through.
Hong Kong Squash Open attracts the world elite players to compete every year of which the men’s event is always competitive yet fierce. Restricting from the world ranking position, the local men’s players have never passed through to the second round in the main draw however, Max Lee would have a greater chance to make the history this year as his world ranking is moved up to his personal high which led him to direct enter the main draw once again. “Our performances would be always based on our physical conditions, plan executions, the opponents and even luck, but before all that, we would definitely give our best to strive for the best results.” The Hong Kong No.1 Max Lee has given some remarkable performance in this bottom half year, he first defended his champion title in the HKFC PSA International 25 2015 and he also captured the champion title in the Macau Open 2015 for the first time, boosting his confidence in breaking to the second round in the coming HK Open.
Apart from Max, Leo Au who won his first Asian Champion in this May will also get to the main event of “Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Open 2015” via the wild card. “The expectation to me in this year is higher than the previous years since I achieved some good results and people would expect more which is good to me as it proved I am getting improved and I can play some great squash as well.” Leo will be meeting the third seed Gregory Gaultier from France in the opening round. It is not easy for Leo to take the victory over the top three players. “I will keep my mind at ease and do my best to win the game.” On the other hand, Max will compete with the 7th seed Omar Mossad for the round two positions.
Coming to the 30th anniversary, two local stars grew up watching the Hong Kong Open and became the huge fans of this world class event. Max has been holding the attitude of “keep breaking through” with the Open for all these years, “I have been participating in the event since I was the junior, I used to enter the main event with the wild card and play a lot at the qualifying rounds so I was eager to break into the main event. Now I finally make it, I would set my target higher which I wish I could reach the second round or even further.”
Meanwhile, Hong Kong Squash Open was definitely a best way for Leo to enhance his squash knowledge and skill when he was a child, “there was less live broadcast back then so Hong Kong Open would be the only chance to witness the top players’ playing in front of us and to learn from them. Therefore, I am really grateful to participate in the event when I grew up.”
The men’s and women’s qualifying rounds of “Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Squash Open 2015” will be held on 29 and 30 November at Hong Kong Football Club. The early stages of main draw will be started from 1 Dec to 4 Dec before moving to the Hong Kong Park Sports Centre for the semis and finals on 5 Dec and 6 Dec. With the supports of the home crowds, Max and Leo believe they could have a better performance to level up their results in the Open. At the same time, we would take this annual squash extravaganza as an opportunity for the younger generation to enjoy the highest level of squash in order to enhance their awareness to squash.
Tickets are now available at Hong Kong Squash office. Please call 2523 2225 for more details. Free Admission for the qualifying rounds on November 29 and 30. For more tournament information, please contact Hong Kong Squash at 2869 1592 or visit the Hong Kong Squash Open official website: www.hksquashopen.com
