We are thrilled to release the draws for this weekend’s 2017 Racquet Guys Ontario Open Championships. The event will feature some of the deepest and most talented draws in the Open categories we have seen in years as well as our first official Men's 75 plus draw in some time. In addition, the Men's 70+, 65+, 55+, 50+ and 35+ are absolutely stacked with Ontario's finest players ever to play the game. The compliment Men's and Women's A and C draws should also be an outstanding weekend on and off the courts.
The Women's Open championship features 6 out of the top 7 ranked players in the province including 3-time Canadian champ Samantha Cornett, national team member Nikki Todd, defending Ontario Open champion Micaala Seth, Squash Ontario Hall of famer and 3-time Canadian champion Melanie Jans and 4-time Canadian champion Marnie Baizley. The feature match of the evening will see Jans vs. Baizley turn back the clock for a titanic first round battle on the show court at 6:45pm Friday. If they make it through this tough and experienced field, WSA stars Cornett and Todd are seeded to meet in Sunday's 1:00pm women's final which would be a world class match.
On the men's side a full 16 draw is headlined by Ontario #1 and #2 Mike McCue and Nick Sachvie who have both recently gatecrashed the PSA world top 100 at 91 and 89 respectively. They will take on a strong field of young and talented players including top juniors, current university stars and seasoned professionals. Of note, keep an eye on the now full-time professional and Ontario #3 Cameron Seth, former Western Mustang captains James Van Staveran and Albert Shoihet, the ever improving Ahad Raza and the current #1 ranked Jesters University League athlete Mohanad Hekal from Ryerson University.
On the Masters side, the draws are littered with Canadian champions - top seeds from around the province include Vincent Taylor (M75+) from Ottawa, Robert De Valk (M70+) and Tom Powers (M50+) from Niagara, Ian Boundy (M65+) from London, Mario Raponi (M60+) from Richmond Hill, Carlos Barbosa (M65+) from Thornhill, and Squash Ontario's own Jamie Nicholls (M35+) hailing from Sault Ste. Marie. These men will take on a talented group from the host club of the event and Masters squash juggernaut Mayfair Parkway whose line-up includes seeded players Guy Gordon (M60+), Brad Munro and Chris Robitaille (M55+), Trent Haase (M50+), and Bruce Marrison (M35+).
Play begins at 4:20pm at Mayfair Parkway on Friday for the preliminary rounds with semifinal action taking place between 2:00pm and 6:00pm Saturday. Championship Sunday begins at 10:20am and will conclude with the Women's Open final at 12:20pm and Men's Open final at 1:00pm. A special thanks goes to our title sponsor Racquet Guys, presenting sponsor Mayfair Clubs, tournament chairs Rafik Bhaloo, George Abrahams and Willie Hosey, our host Mayfair Parkway and tournament referee Bob Mansbridge and his team of world class officials.
Spectators are welcome to attend at no charge, and the results can be followed all weekend here.