Expression Networks BVAC Women’s Open: Tournament Preview 

After a week without any Challenger Tour action, the Expression Networks BVAC Women’s Open begins on Monday afternoon in Calgary.

The Challenger 10 level competition will run alongside the Oxford Properties Canadian Men’s Open presented by AirSprint Private Aviation, all of which will take place at the Bow Valley Athletic Club in Calgary from Monday, February 13 to Friday, February 17.

Frenchwoman Enora Villard will be the top seed for the women’s event, with compatriot Marie Stephan also among the top four seeds. Nicole Bunyan will be the No.2 seed and the leading Canadian in the draw, with 18-year-old Zeina Zein as the No.4 seed, and looking for her third Tour title.

England’s Alicia Mead will join the Oceanic trio of Sarah Cardwell, Alex Haydon and Kaitlyn Watts as the remainder of the top eight seeds, who will all receive byes through the opening round’s action.

The Hong Kong duo of Cheng Nga Ching and Ching Hei Fung are among the 9/16 seeding bracket, along with Switzerland’s Ambre Allinckx and Scotland’s Alison Thomson. Mexican No.1 Diana Garcia will also be in that bracket, and aiming to win for the second time in 2023 after her victory on home soil at the Faltami Squash Inn Classic last month.

There will be nine Canadians in action in total, with Bunyan leading the way. Catherine Giachino, Hannah Guthrie, Sara Khan, Amelia Knapp, Jaime Laird, Maddison Laine, Niki Shemirani and Georgia Watson will also be in action this week in Calgary.

The event takes place from Monday, February 13 to Friday, February 17 at the Bow Valley Athletic Club in Calgary. Follow the PSA Challenger Tour on Twitter and Facebook for daily updates from the event.

Action from Calgary will be streamed throughout the week on the PSA Challenger Tour YouTube channel, where you can watch Challenger Tour action, and interviews with rising stars.

First Round Draw: Expression Networks BVAC Women’s Open
[2] Nicole Bunyan (CAN) – [Bye]
Hannah Guthrie (CAN) v [9/16] Ching Hei Fung (HKG)
[9/16] Cheng Nga Ching (HKG) v Catherine Giachino (CAN)
[5] Sarah Cardwell (AUS) – [Bye]
[8] Alicia Mead (ENG) – [Bye]
Maddison Laine (CAN) v [9/16] Alison Thomson (SCO)
[9/16] Ambre Allinckx (SUI) v Georgia Watson (CAN)
[3] Marie Stephan (FRA) – [Bye]
[4] Zeina Zein (EGY) – [Bye]
Sara Khan (CAN) v [9/16] Sohaila Ismail (EGY)
[9/16] Ali Loke (WAL) v Niki Shemirani (CAN)
[6] Kaitlyn Watts (NZL) – [Bye]
[7] Alex Haydon (AUS) – [Bye]
Jaime Laird (CAN) v [9/16] Diana Garcia (MEX)
[9/16] Riya Navani (USA) v Amelia Knapp (CAN)
[1] Enora Villard (FRA) – [Bye]