Manitoba Open Preview: Aubert Happy To Be Able To Play Again

The Oasis Pools & Spas Manitoba Open begins on Wednesday, and Frenchman Benjamin Aubert is happy to be back on Tour again after a lengthy layoff.

The Frenchman will feature for just the third time since 2021 this week at the Winnipeg Squash Racquet Club in Manitoba, Canada, having struggled with a foot injury over the course of the last few years.

We spoke to Aubert, who has dropped down to World No.176 over the last couple of years, and he admits that he is just happy to be back playing again without being in pain.

“Yeah I’ve been struggling with my foot for the last three years, with some ups & downs during this period. For the moment I’m just happy that I can play squash again,” the Frenchman said.

“Since the end of December, I can play and train again without pain now, I think I’m ready to come back.”

The Frenchman reached the top 50 at the peak of his career previously, and knows that he can get the better of players in that ranking bracket and higher. However, he knows that it will be more difficult in a tournament.

“I played a lot of matches in training against top 30 players recently but tournaments are different so I’m looking to do my best then I will see how the results go,” he said.

“My first and main goal for this season is to play squash without pain, the rest is bonus. If I have the level, my rank will follow.”

Mexico’s Leonel Cardenas will be the top seed for the competition, with home favourite and Canadian No.1 as his nearest competitor for the title, and the man with the crowd behind him this week.

American Andrew Douglas, Spain’s Ivan Perez and Hong Kong’s Wong Chi Him and Welshman Owain Taylor join the English duo of Ben Smith and Tom Walsh among the top eight seeds. Sarah Eltorgman, Connor Turk, Cory McCartney, Shawn DeLierre and wildcard Mitchell Kahnert will all be in action on home soil this week.

The event takes place from Wednesday, March 15 to Saturday, March 19 at the Winnipeg Squash Racquet Club. Follow the PSA Challenger Tour on Twitter and Facebook for daily updates from the event.

First Round Draw: Oasis Pools & Spas Manitoba Open
[1] Leonel Cardenas (MEX) – [Bye]
Amaad Fareed (PAK) v [9/16] Diego Gobbi (BRA)
[9/16] Leo Vargas (MEX) v Mahmoud Abouelleil (EGY)
[7] Wong Chi Him (HKG) – [Bye]
[6] Ivan Perez (ESP) – [Bye]
Benjamin Aubert (FRA) v [9/16] Finnlay Withington (ENG)
[9/16] Salah Eltorgman (CAN) v Connor Turk (CAN)
[3] Andrew Douglas (USA) – [Bye]
[4] Ben Smith (ENG) – [Bye]
Cory McCartney (CAN) v [9/16] Liam Marrison (CAN)
[9/16] Jamie Ruggiero (USA) v Mitchell Kahnert (CAN)
[5] Tom Walsh (ENG) – [Bye]
[8] Owain Taylor (WAL) – [Bye]
Carlos Vargas (MEX) v [9/16] Edgar Ramirez Bautista (COL)
[9/16] Joseph White (AUS) v Shawn DeLierre (CAN)
[2] David Baillargeon (CAN) – [Bye]