Two of the Word’s leading squash players are set to clash go in Cardiff later this month – and there will be plenty riding on the result.
Joelle King, Commonwealth Games gold medallist in singles and doubles this year, is number seven in the World, but knows there is a Welsh warrior charging up the rankings.
Cardiff-born Tesni Evans is now at number nine – and has been eyeing up a push towards the top five.
British champion Evans is a key player for Premier Squash League club Welsh Wizards and is contemplating her potential clash with King in the next fixture at the Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff.
The match, already a sell-out, is on Tuesday, November 27 and is a crunch clash for Wizards against powerful opposition.
New Zealand Maori King v Evans will be a massive clash for Wizards, who have opened their first season in the PSL with two wins from three fixtures.
St George’s look certain to have World number one Mohamed ElShorbagy at number one, while Wizards are still finalising their team.
Leading player Marwan ElShorbagy, number three in the World and Mohamed’s brother, is injured and seventh-ranked Gregory Gaultier (France) is also ruled out.
Wizards could turn to popular Egyptian Omar Mosaad, a hard-hitting competitor who has earned the nickname ‘The Hammer of Thor’.
Cairo-born Mosaad is a former World number three who is capable of testing Elshorbagy, while he will also push Wizards’ Welsh contingent down the team order.
Peter Creed, Elliott Morris devred and Emyr Evans could all step in, while Wizards also have Egyptian Mazen Gamal and Spain’s Edmon Lopez in their squad.
He played at number two behind Creed in the last Welsh Wizards fixture and they won 5-0 against Chichester.
Remaining PSL fixtures in 2018
Tuesday 27: Warwick/Kenilworth v Pontefract, Welsh Wizards v St George’s, RAC v Bexley, Birmingham v Nottingham, Coolhurst v Chichester.
December
Tuesday 4: Newcastle v Warwick/Kenilworth, Bexley v Welsh Wizards, Nottingham v Bristol, Chichester v RAC, Pontefract v Birmingham, St George’s v Coolhurst.
Second Half fixtures reversed, dates to be confirmed.