UWE Bristol Open Preview: Marshall Has No Pressure On Maiden Win

The University of the West of England Bristol Open starts tomorrow, and Englishwoman Kiera Marshall will be aiming for her maiden Tour victory.

The Challenger 3 level competition will feature both a men’s and women’s competition this week, with action taking place across two venues in Bristol from Friday, March 10 to Sunday, March 12.

Marshall will be the No.5 seed for the women’s event, and she is looking forward to the tournament. A maiden Tour victory is on the Wishlist, but she is adding no pressure on herself to do so this week.

“I feel since Christmas I’ve put in a big block of hard work, I feel fitter, stronger and more confident in my squash,” Marshall said.

“Honestly it would be great [to win a maiden Tour title], but I’m not putting any pressure on myself to get one. It will happen when all the pieces fit into place with my squash. If I play well and put into practice the hard work I’ve put in the bank, I can’t ask for much more.”

Marshall is currently the World No.113, just a spot below her career-best in the world rankings. Breaking the top 100 is a goal of hers, but she is making sure to focus on her university studies first.

“Being in the top 100 would be pretty awesome, it’s a goal of mine for the end of the season. I’m planning to dive head first into the tour as soon as my degree at the University of Birmingham is done! So sneaking that goal a little earlier would be a nice high to finish my journey as a part time student athlete.”

Fellow Englishwoman Anna Kimberley will be the top seed, with compatriots Asia Harris and Polly Clark also among the eight seeds. Malaysia’s Yasshmita Jadishkumar, Scotland’s Alison Thomson, Finland’s Emilia Korhonen and Welshwoman Lowri Roberts will also be in the top eight bracket.

Australian Erin Classen, Egypt’s Hana Ismail, Portuguese No.1 Sofia Aveiro Pita and Dutchwoman Juliette Permentier will all be in the draw, with Ireland’s Hannah McGugan as the tournament’s wildcard.

England’s James Peach will be the top seed in the men’s draw, with compatriots Finnlay Withington, Perry Malik, Miles Jenkins and Stuart MacGregor all in the top eight seeds. Welshman Elliott Morris Devred and Ireland’s Sam Buckley will also join them.

New Zealand’s Temwa Chileshe will be the No.2 seed for the competition, and one of three Kiwis in the draw. He will be joined by Elijah Thomas and Joel Arscott, with Switzerland’s Miguel Mathis, South Africa’s Ruan Olivier and Egypt’s Abdelrahman Abdelkhalek all featuring.

The event takes place from Friday, March 10 to Sunday, March 12 across two venues in Bristol, where Kiera Marshall will be aiming to win her first Tour title. Follow the PSA Challenger Tour on Twitter and Facebook for daily updates from the event.

Men’s First Round Draw: University of the West of England Bristol Open
[1] James Peach (ENG) v Elijah Thomas (NZL) 
Sean Conroy (IRL) v [6] Miles Jenkins (ENG)
[5] Elliott Morris Devred (WAL) v Ruan Olivier (RSA)
[WC] Jack Mitterer (ENG) v [3] Finnlay Withington (ENG)
[4] Perry Malik (ENG) v Will Salter (ENG)
Abdelrahman Abdelkhalek (EGY) v [7] Stuart MacGregor (ENG)
[8] Sam Buckley (IRL) v Joel Arscott (NZL)
Miguel Mathis (SUI) v [2] Temwa Chileshe (NZL)

Women’s First Round Draw: University of the West of England Bristol Open
[1] Anna Kimberley (ENG) v [WC] Hannah McGugan (IRL)
Erin Classen (AUS) v [8] Lowri Roberts (WAL)
[5] Kiera Marshall (ENG) v Amelie Haworth (ENG)
Sofia Aveiro Pita (POR) v [4] Alison Thomson (SCO)
[3] Asia Harris (ENG) v Juliette Permentier (NED)
Katie Wells (ENG) v [6] Emilia Korhonen (FIN)
[7] Polly Clark (ENG) v Hana Ismail (EGY)
Ellie Jones (SCO) v [2] Yasshmita Jadishkumar (MAS)