Top seed Cardwell facing big challenge as young guns loom

A strong women’s field for the region’s premier squash tournament later this month, the annual Cooper Fluid Systems Golden Open, comprises an intriguing mix of seasoned campaigners against some of the game’s rising stars.

No.1 seed Sarah Cardwell hopes to emulate her 2021 success when she captured a maiden Golden Open crown after bowing out in the semifinals at the 2018 event.

Her success three years ago was at the expense of a then 16-year-old Erin Classen and now, at 32, Cardwell is likely to have her work cut out for her in pursuit of a second Goldfields title.

Classen, who turns 20 in August, has been a model of consistency since lowering her colours in the 2021 final.

She heads to the Goldfields chasing a third consecutive crown after breaking through in 2022 against Hannah Slyth and defending it last year against Sophie Fadaely.

Classen is the No.3 seed, behind 18-year-old Queenslander Madison Lyon, who was the runner-up at last month’s Australian under-19 Open.

Lyon was the top seed there, but was beaten in 37 minutes by New Zealander Ella Lash.

Classen and Lyon were teammates at last year’s WSF World Junior Championships.

Erisa Sano Herring, 23, from Japan, is the No.4 seed for the Golden Open.

Among the men’s field, Australian pair Nick Calvert and Tate Norris are seeded No.3 and No.4, respectively.

For the first time since its inception in 1972, the traditional June long weekend program will this year start on Thursday, May 30.

Competition at the Ray Finlayson Sporting Complex starts at 1pm and continues the next day at 2pm.

Action on the Saturday and Sunday of the June long weekend starts at 8am, with the Sunday finals scheduled for 4pm (women) and 5pm (men).