British Open Squash Championships

The British Open Squash Championships is the oldest and most established tournament in the game of squash. It is widely considered to be one of the two most prestigious tournaments in the game, alongside the World Open (prior to the establishment of the World Open in the 1970s, the British Open was generally considered to be the de facto world championship of the sport.) The British Open Squash Championships are now often referred to as being the "Wimbledon of Squash".

Contents

History

Whilst there had been a professional men's championship for some years, the 'open' men's championship (for both professionals and amateurs) was not inaugurated until 1930. Charles Read, British professional champion for many years, was designated the first open title holder. Would-be challengers were required to demonstrate they were capable of mounting a competent challenge as well as guaranteeing a minimum 'purse' (prize money) of £100 (which comprised gate-takings and players' 'subscriptions'). Read subsequently played the first final as the 'defending champion' against challenger Don Butcher in December 1930, but lost in home and away legs. The men's Championship maintained this 'challenge' system format until 1947, replacing it with the current 'knockout' system in 1948.

The ladies' championships commenced in 1922 as an amateur event and remained so until 1974. In the inaugural event, Joyce Cave defeated her sister Nancy Cave in the final.

Both Championships have been played continuously since inception, with the exception of the men's championship in 1934 (when no challenger to F.D. Amr Bey emerged) and during World War 2. The men's and women's events were originally held separately, but have been held as a joint event since 1983.

The most successful players in the history of the championships are Australian Heather McKay (née Blundell), who won the women's event 16 consecutive times from 1962-77, and Pakistani Jahangir Khan, who won the men's title for 10 consecutive times from 1982-91.

Venues

The event has been held at various venues since the challenge system ended in 1947.[1]

Decline

After being staged at the Wembley Conference Centre for 10 years until 1994 with some capacity crowds,[2] the event began to move around Britain with eight different venues over the next 17 years - only twice staying in the same venue for consecutive years.[3]

The competition suffered much uncertainty as it continued to move around the country. In 1999, the event was nearly dropped due to lack of sponsorship, but was saved by a last minute deal.[4]. A deal with Sky Sports was signed in 2000 to cover the event saw record prize money of £110,000 but by the following year it had moved again to Birmingham's National Indoor Arena.[4].

Long term deals were agreed, but subsequently terminated early casting doubts over the staging of the event. A seven year deal to play at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham from 2000 was terminated after two. Fablon Investments cash injection over eight years was pulled in 2002 after less than two years. Promoters John Beddington and John Nimmick moved the Open to Nottingham but they ended their involvement in 2005, again after two years.[4]

Shorter term agreements also began falling through, the Royal Horticultural Halls in London was announced as the venue for the 2005 British Open, but that agreement ended up scrapped with Manchester stepping in to host. Dunlop pulled out of their sponsorship in 2008, but the competition staggered on.[4] The 2010 event was postponed as organisers tried to get the event moved back to London, but by the time the £200,000 headline sponsor withdrew their support the 2011 competition was also cancelled.[4]

England Squash still have plans to hold the British Open in May 2012 at The O2 with a new sponsor secured[5]

Men's championship

Year Champion Runner-up Score
1930 Charles Read Appointed Champion
1931 Don Butcher Charles Read 9–6, 9–5, 9–5 and 9–3, 9–5, 9–3
1932 Don Butcher Charles Arnold 9–0, 9–0, 9–0 and 9–3, 9–0, 9–5
1933 F.D. Amr Bey Don Butcher 9–0, 9–7, 9–1 and 9–5, 6–9, 9–2, 9–1, 9–4
1934 F.D. Amr Bey No Challenger
1935 F.D. Amr Bey Don Butcher 9–4, 8–10, 10–8, 9–0 and 9–6, 6–9, 9–2, 0–9, 9–5
1936 F.D. Amr Bey Jim Dear 9–3, 6–9, 8–10, 9–2, 9–4 and 9–4, 9–7, 3–9, 9–7
1937 F.D. Amr Bey Jim Dear 9–7, 7–9, 9–7, 5–9, 9–6 and 9–7, 8–10, 9–1, 9–6
1938 F.D. Amr Bey Jim Dear 10–8, 10–8, 4–9, 1–9, 9–4 and 9–7, 8–10, 9–6, 9–5
1939 Jim Dear Bert Biddle 5–9, 9–6, 5–9, 9–6, 9–5 and 6–9, 9–1, 9–2, 9–6
1940 No competition (World War II)
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947 Mahmoud Karim Jim Dear 9–4, 9–1, 9–3 and 5–9, 7–9, 9–8, 9–7, 9–4
1948 Mahmoud Karim Jim Dear 9–5, 9–3, 5–9, 1–9, 10–8
1949 Mahmoud Karim Brian Phillips 9–4, 9–2, 9–10, 9–4
1950 Mahmoud Karim Abdul Bari 9–4, 9–2, 9–7
1951 Hashim Khan Mahmoud Karim 9–5, 9–0, 9–0
1952 Hashim Khan Mahmoud Karim 9–5, 9–7, 9–0
1953 Thomas Cunningham R.B.R. Wilson 9–2, 8–10, 9–1, 9–0
1954 Hashim Khan Azam Khan 6–9, 9–6, 9–6, 7–9, 9–5
1955 Hashim Khan Azam Khan 9–7, 7–9, 9–7, 5–9, 9–7
1956 Hashim Khan Roshan Khan 9–4, 9–2, 5–9, 9–5
1957 Roshan Khan Hashim Khan 6–9, 9–5, 9–2, 9–1
1958 Hashim Khan Azam Khan 9–7, 6–9, 9–6, 9–7
1959 Azam Khan Mo Khan 9–5, 9–0, 9–1
1960 Azam Khan Roshan Khan 9–1, 9–0, 9–0
1961 Azam Khan Mo Khan 6–9, 9–1, 9–4, 0–9, 9–2
1962 Azam Khan Mo Khan 9–6, 7–9, 10–8, 2–9, 9–4
1963 Mo Khan A.A. AbouTaleb 9–4, 5–9, 3–9, 10–8, 9–6
1964 A.A. AbouTaleb Mike Oddy 9–3, 9–7, 9–0
1965 A.A. AbouTaleb Ibrahim Amin 9–0, 0–9, 9–1, 9–6
1966 A.A. AbouTaleb Aftab Jawaid 9–6, 5–9, 9–3, 9–1
1967 Jonah Barrington Aftab Jawaid 9–2, 5–9, 9–2, 9–2
1968 Jonah Barrington A.A. AbouTaleb 9–6, 9–0, 9–5
1969 Geoff Hunt Cam Nancarrow 9–5, 9–4, 9–0
1970 Jonah Barrington Geoff Hunt 9–7, 3–9, 9–4, 9–4
1971 Jonah Barrington Aftab Jawaid 9–1, 9–2, 9–6
1972 Jonah Barrington Geoff Hunt 0–9, 9–7, 10–8, 6–9, 9–7
1973 Jonah Barrington Gogi Alauddin 9–4, 9–3, 9–2
1974 Geoff Hunt Mo Yasin Walkover
1975 Qamar Zaman Gogi Alauddin 9–7, 9–6, 9–1
1976 Geoff Hunt Mohibullah Khan 7–9, 9–4, 8–10, 9–2, 9–2
1977 Geoff Hunt Cam Nancarrow 9–4, 9–4, 8–10, 9–4
1978 Geoff Hunt Qamar Zaman 7–9, 9–1, 9–1, 9–2
1979 Geoff Hunt Qamar Zaman 2–9, 9–7, 9–0, 6–9, 9–3
1980 Geoff Hunt Qamar Zaman 9–3, 9–2, 1–9, 9–1
1981 Geoff Hunt Jahangir Khan 9–2, 9–7, 5–9, 9–7
1982 Jahangir Khan Hiddy Jahan 9–2, 10–9, 9–3
1983 Jahangir Khan Gamal Awad 9–2, 9–5, 9–1
1984 Jahangir Khan Qamar Zaman 9–0, 9–3, 9–5
1985 Jahangir Khan Chris Dittmar 9–3, 9–2, 9–5
1986 Jahangir Khan Ross Norman 9–6, 9–4, 9–6
1987 Jahangir Khan Jansher Khan 9–6, 9–0, 9–5
1988 Jahangir Khan Rodney Martin 9–2, 9–10, 9–0, 9–1
1989 Jahangir Khan Rodney Martin 9–2, 3–9, 9–5, 0–9, 9–2
1990 Jahangir Khan Rodney Martin 9–6, 10–8, 9–1
1991 Jahangir Khan Jansher Khan 2–9, 9–4, 9–4, 9–0
1992 Jansher Khan Chris Robertson 9–7, 10–9, 9–5
1993 Jansher Khan Chris Dittmar 9–6, 9–5, 6–9, 9–2
1994 Jansher Khan Brett Martin 9–1, 9–0, 9–10, 9–1
1995 Jansher Khan Peter Marshall 15–4, 15–4, 15–5
1996 Jansher Khan Rodney Eyles 15–13, 15–8, 15–10
1997 Jansher Khan Peter Nicol 17–15, 9–15, 15–12, 8–15, 15–8
1998 Peter Nicol Jansher Khan 17–16, 15–4, 15–5
1999 Jonathon Power Peter Nicol 15–17, 15–12, rtd
2000 David Evans Paul Price 15–11, 15–6, 15–10
2001 David Palmer Chris Walker 12–15, 13–15, 15–2, 15–9, 15–5
2002 Peter Nicol John White 15–9, 15–8, 15–8
2003 David Palmer Peter Nicol 15–13, 15–13, 15–8
2004 David Palmer Amr Shabana 10–11 (4–6), 11–7, 11–10 (3–1), 11–7
2005 Anthony Ricketts James Willstrop 11–7, 11–9, 11–7
2006 Nick Matthew Thierry Lincou 11–8, 5–11, 11–4, 9–11, 11–6
2007 Grégory Gaultier Thierry Lincou 11–4, 10–11 (0–2), 11–6, 11–3
2008 David Palmer James Willstrop 11–9, 11–9, 8–11, 6–11, 11–10 (3–1)
2009 Nick Matthew James Willstrop 8–11, 11–8, 7–11, 11–3, 12–10
2010 not held
2011 not held

Note:
1) From 1931 to 1947, the men's championship was decided by a best-of-three-matches contest between the defending champion and a single challenger (the third match was never required, as the ultimate champion won the first two matches on each of the occasions in which the final was played with this format). The championship has been played using a 'knockout' format since 1948.

2) Peter Nicol changed his nationality in 2001.[6]

List of British Open Men's champions by number of victories

Champion Number of titles
Jahangir Khan 10
Geoff Hunt 8
Hashim Khan 7
Jonah Barrington 6
F.D. Amr Bey 6
Jansher Khan 6
Mahmoud Karim 4
Azam Khan 4
David Palmer 4

Men's champions by country

Champions Runner-up
 Pakistan 30  Pakistan 25
 Australia 13  England 18
 Egypt 13  Australia 14
 England 7  Egypt 7
 Ireland 6  Scotland 3
 Scotland 1  France 2
 Canada 1  India 1
 Wales 1  New Zealand 1
 France 1

Women's championship

Year Champion Runner-up Score
1922 Joyce Cave Nancy Cave 11–15, 15–10, 15–9
1923 Silvia Huntsman Nancy Cave 6–15, 15–9, 17–15
1924 Nancy Cave Joyce Cave 15–8, 15–13
1925 Joyce Cave Nancy Cave 15–3, 6–15, 16–13
1926 Cecily Fenwick Nancy Cave 15–12, 15–11
1927 Cecily Fenwick Nancy Cave 4–9, 9–6, 9–2, 9–5
1928 Joyce Cave Cecily Fenwick 4–9, 9–5, 10–9, 9–6
1929 Nancy Cave Cecily Fenwick 9–6, 3–9, 9–2, 3–9, 9–6
1930 Nancy Cave Cecily Fenwick 10–8, 9–1, 7–9, 9–5
1931 Cecily Fenwick Nancy Cave 9–7, 10–8, 9–10, 9–1
1932 Susan Noel Joyce Cave 9–5, 9–7, 9–1
1933 Susan Noel Sheila Keith-Jones 9–4, 9–0, 9–2
1934 Susan Noel Margot Lumb 9–7, 9–0, 9–6
1935 Margot Lumb Anne Lytton-Milbanke 9–4, 9–0, 9–1
1936 Margot Lumb Anne Lytton-Milbanke 9–5, 9–5, 9–4
1937 Margot Lumb Sheila McKechnie 9–3, 9–2, 9–0
1938 Margot Lumb Sheila McKechnie 9–3, 9–2, 9–1
1939 Margot Lumb Susan Noel 9–6, 9–1, 9–7
1940 No competition (World War II)
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947 Joan Curry Alice Teague 9–3, 10–9, 9–5
1948 Joan Curry Janet Morgan 9–5, 9–0, 9–10, 6–9, 10–8
1949 Joan Curry Janet Morgan 2–9, 9–3, 10–8, 9–0
1950 Janet Morgan Joan Curry 9–4, 9–3, 9–0
1951 Janet Morgan Joan Curry 9–1, 2–9, 9–3, 9–4
1952 Janet Morgan Joan Curry 9–3, 9–1, 9–5
1953 Janet Morgan Marjorie Townsend 9–4, 9–2, 9–4
1954 Janet Morgan Sheila Speight 9–3, 9–1, 9–7
1955 Janet Morgan Ruth Turner 9–5, 9–3, 9–6
1956 Janet Morgan Sheila Speight 9–6, 9–4, 9–2
1957 Janet Morgan Sheila Speight 4–9, 9–5, 9–1, 9–6
1958 Janet Morgan Sheila Macintosh (née Speight) 9–7, 6–9, 9–6, 9–7
1959 Janet Morgan Sheila Macintosh 9–4, 9–1, 9–5
1960 Sheila Macintosh Fran Marshall 4–9, 8–9, 9–5, 9–3, 9–6
1961 Fran Marshall Ruth Turner 9–3, 9–5, 9–1
1962 Heather Blundell Fran Marshall 9–6, 9–5, 9–4
1963 Heather Blundell Fran Marshall 9–4, 9–2, 9–6
1964 Heather Blundell Fran Marshall 9–2, 9–2, 9–1
1965 Heather Blundell Anna Craven-Smith 9–0, 9–1, 9–2
1966 Heather McKay (née Blundell) Anna Craven-Smith 9–0, 9–0, 10–8
1967 Heather McKay Anna Craven-Smith 9–1, 10–8, 9–6
1968 Heather McKay Bev Johnson 9–0, 9–0, 9–0
1969 Heather McKay Fran Marshall 9–2, 9–0, 9–0
1970 Heather McKay Marcia Roche 9–1, 9–1, 9–0
1971 Heather McKay Jenny Irving 9–0, 9–3, 9–1
1972 Heather McKay Kathy Malan 9–1, 9–1, 9–2
1973 Heather McKay C. Fleming 9–1, 9–0, 9–1[7]
1974 Heather McKay Sue Cogswell 9–2, 9–1, 9–2
1975 Heather McKay Marion Jackman 9–3, 9–1, 9–5
1976 Heather McKay Sue Newman 9–2, 9–4, 9–2
1977 Heather McKay Barbara Wall 9–3, 9–1, 9–2
1978 Sue Newman Vicki Hoffmann 9–4, 9–7, 9–2
1979 Barbara Wall Sue Cogswell 8–10, 6–9, 9–4, 9–4, 9–3
1980 Vicki Hoffmann Sue Cogswell 9–5, 9–5, 9–3
1981 Vicki Hoffmann Margaret Zachariah 9–6, 9–4, 9–0
1982 Vicki Cardwell (née Hoffmann) Lisa Opie 9–4, 5–9, 9–4, 9–4
1983 Vicki Cardwell Lisa Opie 9–10, 9–6, 9–4, 9–5
1984 Susan Devoy Lisa Opie 5–9, 9–0, 9–7, 9–1
1985 Susan Devoy Martine Le Moignan 9–6, 5–9, 9–6, 9–5
1986 Susan Devoy Lisa Opie 9–4, 9–2, 9–3
1987 Susan Devoy Lucy Soutter 2–9, 4–9, 9–4, 9–2, 9–1
1988 Susan Devoy Liz Irving 9–7, 9–5, 9–1
1989 Susan Devoy Martine Le Moignan 8–10, 10–8, 9–3, 9–6
1990 Susan Devoy Suzanne Horner 9–2, 9–1, 9–3
1991 Lisa Opie Sue Wright 6–9, 9–3, 9–3, 9–4
1992 Susan Devoy Martine Le Moignan 9–3, 9–5, 9–3
1993 Michelle Martin Suzanne Horner 9–7, 9–0, 9–4
1994 Michelle Martin Liz Irving 9–1, 9–5, 9–3
1995 Michelle Martin Liz Irving 9–4, 9–7, 9–5
1996 Michelle Martin Sarah Fitz-Gerald 1–9, 9–5, 9–1, 9–7
1997 Michelle Martin Sarah Fitz-Gerald 9–5, 9–10, 9–5, 9–5
1998 Michelle Martin Sarah Fitz-Gerald 9–4, 9–2, 9–1
1999 Leilani Joyce Cassie Campion 5–9, 9–6, 9–3, 10–8
2000 Leilani Joyce Sue Wright 9–7, 9–4, 9–2
2001 Sarah Fitz-Gerald Carol Owens 10–9, 9–0, 9–2
2002 Sarah Fitz-Gerald Tania Bailey 9–3, 9–0, 9–0
2003 Rachael Grinham Cassie Campion 9–3, 7–9, 9–2, 9–5
2004 Rachael Grinham Natalie Grainger 6–9, 9–5, 9–0, 9–3
2005 Nicol David Natalie Grinham 9–6, 9–7, 9–6
2006 Nicol David Rachael Grinham 9–4, 9–1, 9–4
2007 Rachael Grinham Nicol David 7–9, 4–9, 9–3, 10–8, 9–1
2008 Nicol David Jenny Duncalf 9–1, 10–8, 9–0
2009 Rachael Grinham Madeline Perry 11–6, 11–5, 12–10
2010 not held
2011 not held

List of British Open Women's champions by number of victories

Champion Number of titles
Heather McKay 16
Janet Morgan 10
Susan Devoy 8
Michelle Martin 6
Margot Lumb 5
Vicki Cardwell 4

Women's champions by country

Champions Runner-up
 England 34  England 58
 Australia 34  Australia 15
 New Zealand 10  South Africa 2
 Malaysia 3  New Zealand 2
   Malaysia 1
 United States 1
 Ireland 1

See also

References

  1. ^ British Open Results englandsquashandracketball.com
  2. ^ British Open to return to London as England Squash looks to retain tradition telegraph.co.uk
  3. ^ British Open to return to London telegraph.co.uk
  4. ^ a b c d e British Open Timeline of Turmoil
  5. ^ British Open Back for 2012
  6. ^ Howard Harding. "British Squash hero Peter Nicol Plans Final Conquest". Squashsite.co.uk. http://www.squashsite.co.uk/peter_nicol_retirement.htm?%253FPDA=1%253Fcategory=films. Retrieved 2008-12-31. 
  7. ^ British open squash championships

External links