Wael Withdraws from CIB Black Ball Open

Egypt’s Ahmed Wael has withdrawn from this week’s CIB Black Ball Squash Open after testing positive for COVID-19 following a PCR test taken prior to the men’s tournament, which began on Sunday December 13.

Before joining the ‘tournament bubble’, all players are required to take a PCR test prior to travelling to the event hotel as well as another PCR test the day before the tournament begins. Further tests are then taken every four days during tournaments in accordance with PSA’s strict COVID-19 protocols.

Wael is replaced by USA’s Todd Harrity, who will take on World Champion Tarek Momen in round one today.

For more information on the 2020 Black Ball Open, visit the tournament website or follow the event on Twitter and Facebook.

The updated order of play for today’s round one matches is as follows:
(All times are local GMT)
11:00 [10] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v Greg Lobban (SCO)
11:45 Declan James (ENG) v [5] Diego Elias (PER)
13:30 Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) v [15] James Willstrop (ENG)
14:15 [7] Joel Makin (WAL) v Borja Golan (ESP)
17:30 Baptiste Masotti (FRA) v [9] Fares Dessouky (EGY)
18:15 [12] Mazen Hesham (EGY) v Alan Clyne (SCO)
19:15 [3] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v Mohamed ElSherbini (EGY)
20:00 Todd Harrity (USA) v [2] Tarek Momen (EGY)