World's best lob in Perth as part of pro squash circuit
The cream of WA's young squash players will take on some of the world's best when Perth hosts the WA Open International next month.
The tournament, part of the WA 'swing' on the Professional Squash Association Challenger circuit, will be held at the State Squash Centre in Belmont from June 4 to 8.
Squash, after enduring a few lean years, is back on the up as one of the world's fastest growing sports, particularly in Asia — and that's reflected by the strong representation from the region, including competitors from Sri Lanka, Japan, India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Pakistan, South Korea and more.
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In the men's draw, Sri Lankan Ravindu Laksiri, ranked 109 in the world, is top seed. He'll be looking to add a 19th title to his resume.
If the draw goes according to plan, he'll face Malaysia's Darren Pragasam (No. 120) in the final.
But the other 22 men in the field — including WA 19-year-old Daniel Marsh — will be hungry to upset the apple cart.
Japan's Akari Midorikawa, ranked 114 in the world, leads the women's field, with WA's Erin Classen (fifth seed) and 19-year-old Hannah Slyth among the challengers.
A 'smoky' in the women's event — and the oldest entrant in either draw — is former world No.1, 48-year-old Rachael Grinham.
The Queenslander's squash statistics are gobsmacking.
In a pro career spanning decades, she's won 38 titles — including, at the age of 44, the Australian Open in 2021, an achievement which broke a 25-year-old record as the oldest winner of a women's PSA Tour event.
She reached world No.1 in 2004 and held the spot for 16 months.
She has battled her way back to the pro circuit after being out for 18 months with an ACL injury.
Grinham is still playing great squash (she reached the semi-finals of the NT Open last month) and will take on Macau's Yeung Wai Leng in the first round.
For live scores during the tournament, go to psasquashtour.com/tournament/wa-open-international-2025/.
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