Cann heads east

Needing to get into the top 16 to qualify for the Beijing Olympics, the national champion travels with Tracy Hallam, the Commonwealth Games gold medallist, as the two ladies singles players in a strong England set up.

At the end of the tournament on 20 January, the two rivals will head for the Korean Open in Seoul, 22 to 27 January.

Cann, one of the Jersey nominations for the Sportingbet CI Sports Personality of the Year, along with professional rugby player Matt Banahan, will defend her national title in Manchester in early February.