And defending men’s champion Mike Hopkins will be hoping to retain his title – but also very much a contender for the title is Rob Hickling, the current Island champion, whom Hopkins defeated in this competition last year.
Already well under way is the Over 35s championship, and No 1 seed Jon Hibbs is through to the final after he defeated the No 6 seed John Farley last night, in three straight games.
Also through is John Wood, seeded No 3, who beat the No 4 seed and last year’s winner, Hugh Jones, 3-1.
Jones won the first game but Wood’s energetic retrieving kept the rallies going and compensated for some loose play, to tire his older opponent.
A particularly hard set of points in the second game turned the match in Wood’s favour and he cruised to victory in the fourth.
But Jones will be back on court for the men’s veterans competition.
In the Men’s O35 Plate competition Mark Baudet’s superior experience and better shot selection helped him to a 3-0 win against the fitter Jon Richardson while in the match between Sam Blake and Mike Moyse, the latter took a surprise 2-1 lead with his excellent forehand.
But Moyse couldn’t sustain the pressure against last year’s champ and Blake eventually won 3-2.
This year, for the first time, the Juniors’ Championship is being amalgamated into the two-week event and matches will be played at U11, 13, 15, 17 and U19 levels as the club’s junior programme continues to grow under the auspices of the club coach and director of squash, David Evans.
‘We set up a schools squash programme on the Island recently, and the interest has been magnificent so we’re expecting a large entry this year,’ he said.
In the Ladies’ event, Ronnie Jubb will be keen to regain the title she lost last year, 3-2, to Kate Cadigan, and in the Men’s Vintage category, last year’s champion Martyn Scriven will be hoping to retain the title.
