Atlas to take part in Hong Kong Open

KARACHI: Pakistan top seed Amir Atlas left for the Hong Kong Open where he will face world number six Britain’s James Wilstrope in his first round on August 25.

World’s top 32 squash players are participating in the Hong Kong Open to win the US $150,000 prize–money in the week-long event.

“The Hong Kong open is a very important event and it shows where all the players stand before the British Open,” Atlas told The Express Tribune. “I want to participate there and understand how much other players have improved so I can plan my tactics for British Open.”

The world number 23 said that although his confidence was shaky after recovering from chickenpox, he will try and win the tournament which can propel him into the world top-12.

Atlas, whose focus remains on the British Open for now, will start training for the  upcoming Commonwealth and the Asian Games after the event.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 24^th, 2010.