The 2015 U.S. Pro Series resumes this week with its first event since May—the second $10,000 Champion Fiberglass Open at the Downtown Club at Met in Houston, TX.
The inaugural Champion Fiberglass Open hosted by Houston Squash was held in 2013 when German Raphael Kandra won the title. 2013 finalist and U.S.-based South African Clinton Leeuw returns in 2015 and begins his tournament in qualifying Tuesday night.
Finnish world No. 58 Henrik Mustonen leads the main draw as the top seed, and is seeded to face English world No. 53 Eddie Charlton in the final.
U.S. Champion Todd Harrity makes his first competitive appearance since earning a team bronze medal in the 2015 Pan American Games this summer. Harrity reached his highest career world ranking of sixty-one this month, and enters the main draw seeded sixth. The twenty-four-year-old from Wayne, PA, will play Canadian world No. 90 Andrew Schnell for the second time in their careers, Thursday at 7:15pm local time. Harrity defeated Schnell in their only previous encounter during the 2011 Men’s World Team Championship.
“I’m impressed with the quality of players that came down for the tournament in both qualifying and the main draw considering there are a few other major events going on around the world this week,” said John Leavy, Tournament Director and President of Houston Squash.
“Maybe it’s because they just like Houston! We have a few returning players in Clinton and Declan. Our two see, Eddie Charlton, is playing this event for the first time. His fiancee, Emma Beddoes, had such a great time here for the Texas Open that Eddie had to check it out for himself. On top of the high quality of professionals, we’ve also ended up with great numbers in our Amateur draw so there’s a great tournament atmosphere right now at the club.
“I think Texas hospitality really sets this tournament, and all Texas tournaments, apart. I think word is spreading of how much of a great time players have down here and the good nature of Houstonians. Houston is in the news a lot these days with how much it’s growing, the oil business, and I think the world is starting to notice what’s going on here.
Leavy emphasized the importance of relationships between players and amateurs at smaller PSA events such as the Houston Open.
“I get a lot of comments from everyday players about how much watching a pro event or watching a pro event improves their game. They’re so happy so see the pro players up close and personal, and then be able to interact with them. The appreciation is pretty great, I must say.
“Of course, we’d like to thank our title sponsor Champion Fiberglass once again for their tremendous support.”
Follow the action @CFOSquash on Twitter.
For more information on the Champion Fiberglass Open, visit the official tournament page.
Main Draw:
[2] Eddie Charlton (ENG) v [Q] Anthony Graham (ENG)
[Q] Clinton Leuuw v [6] Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT)
[8] Eric Galvez (MEX) v [WC] Shahid Hussain (PAK)
Shahjahan Khan (PAK) v [3] Declan James (ENG)
[4] Danish Atlas Khan (PAK) v [Q] Cameron Stafford (CAY)
Arthur Gaskin (IRL) v [7] Farhan Zaman (PAK)
[5] Todd Harrity (USA) v Andrew Schnell (CAN)
[Q] Leandro Romiglio (ARG) v [1] Henrik Mustonen (FIN)