Thomson confident ahead of Open
Scotland’s Alison Thomson hopes to build on an impressive start to 2019 when she competes for honours at The Springfield Scottish Squash Open.
The 22-year-old is fourth seed in the women’s draw for next month’s tournament taking place at Oriam; Scotland’s Sports Performance Centre, in Edinburgh from 3rd to 7th April.
Thomson (WR73) enjoyed the best win of her career at the Cincinnati Cup in February getting the better of in-form American Haley Mendez who was at a career high world ranking of 42.
She won their 72 minute epic, 11-9, 11-8, 5-11, 7-11, 13-11 before losing narrowly in round two against world top 15 player Victoria Lust.
It followed gold for Alison at the Imperial Commercials Scottish Under 23 National Championships in January, a silver at the British U23 Open and a last 16 finish at the Edinburgh Sports Club Open.
The Team Scotland athlete puts her recent good form down to a successful training block in January at Oriam and is looking forward to returning there for the competitive action.
“I am playing well and feeling good.
“I came up to Scotland in January, played a few tournaments and got some good training in at Oriam which really helped me win the match in Cincinnati.
“With Kylie Lindsay (Scottish Squash Senior Performance Coach) I have been working hard on the basics and trying to be more consistent and improving my drives.
“I’ve also been focusing on my short game, taking the ball short at the right time and really committing to the shot.
“So things are positive just now and I’m looking forward to the Springfield Scottish Squash Open and having the home support behind me as well.”
Thomson, who’s based in London, continued:
“I’ve trained at Oriam many times but it will be a new experience playing in front of a crowd.
“There’s seats at the back of the show court and the front wall which will make for a good atmosphere.
“I enjoy playing in Scotland and with my family based in Glasgow I always feel at home coming up here.”
Leiper delighted with Wildcard Spot
Aberdeen Squash & Racketball Club ‘s Chris Leiper says he is delighted to have earned a wildcard into next month’s Springfield Scottish Squash Open at Oriam; Scotland’s Sports Performance Centre, in Edinburgh.
The Scotland internationalist is one of three Scots to receive wildcards for the event taking place from April 3rd to 7th.
He is joined by Rory Stewart in the men’s draw with Katriona Allen securing a wildcard into the women’s draw.
Teenager Lucy Murchie, Carrie Hallam and Fergus Richards will compete as invitees with other Scots in the draws including Alison Thomson and Georgia Adderley as well as nine-time National champion Alan Clyne who is men’s top seed.
Leiper, who has just returned to court following six weeks on the sidelines through injury, said:
“I’m really pleased and grateful to receive a wildcard.
“We play all over Europe so it will be brilliant to compete in a big PSA event in Scotland.
“I got back on court recently after an ankle injury so now getting the news of the wildcard for the Springfield Scottish Squash Open gives me extra motivation to be fully fit for the event.
“I’ll be raring to go and I cannot wait.
“The last time the Scottish Open was staged was 18 years ago in Perth which seems such a long time ago.
“Playing in front of a home crowd will hopefully give all the Scots competing a boost and my parents will be looking to come down from Aberdeen to watch.
“It’s going to be a great tournament and to have Springfield Properties as sponsor and seeing them invest in some of our younger players as well is fantastic.
“You can feel they are really invested in the sport.”
