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Challenger Tour Weekly Preview: Action from Hong Kong & Australia
Challenger Tour
There are two events on the Challenger Tour this week, with both tournaments coming from the Eastern Hemisphere, in Hong Kong and Australia.
Due to the ongoing COVID-pandemic, both events have restricted entry criteria, with only players currently residing in those, or nearby countries, being allowed to enter.
The Chairman Cup 2 will be the first event of the week starting on Wednesday 5, and it will take place in Hong Kong. The North Coast Open will be played in Coffs Harbour, Australia, and will take place over the coming weekend.
Hunt and Gaultier Named PSA Players of the Month for January
News
Australia’s Tamika Hunt and France’s Gregory Gaultier have been named the PSA Players of the Month for January following their respective title wins on the PSA Challenger Tour.
Hunt reigned victorious at the Sandgate Open in Deagon, Australia after she defeated compatriot and No.2 seed Sarah Cardwell in straight games in the final to win her tenth PSA title despite not having a PSA ranking going into the tournament.
The 27-year-old had not played on the PSA Tour for three years, with her last event coming at the 2018 Roberts & Morrow North Coast Open, where she reached the semi-finals. Her absence from the Tour was due to injuries, taking a different career path to squash and also the birth of her daughter last year.
Challenger Tour Weekly Preview: Action In Australia, France & Germany
Challenger Tour
There are three tournaments on the PSA Challenger Tour this week, with action coming from Australia, France and Germany, with the former hosting its national championships.
There is a Challenger 3 level tournament in Germany, the DSQV Sportwerk Challenger, with two 10 level tournaments, the Volkswagen Australian Open and the Le Havre PSA Challenger also on Tour this week.
Volkswagen Australian Open
The Volkswagen Australian Open begins on Wednesday, February 3, and is restricted to participants who are currently residing in the country and neighbouring New Zealand.
The men’s draw sees both of the Calvert brothers, Nicholas and Thomas, along with Joseph White and Rhys Dowling as the top four seeds, while there is a sole South African in the field. 21-year-old Tate Zak Norris, who now lives in Victoria, will be looking to grab his first win as a professional.