18-Sep-07:
Champion Jansher In London Comeback

Jansher Khan, one of the greatest squash players of all-time, will make his first appearance in London since winning the last of his 99 PSA Tour titles in the city in 1998 when he competes in the inaugural Anscombe & Ringland London Open at the Cumberland Club next month.

The 38-year-old from Peshawar in Pakistan retired shortly after losing the British Open final in Birmingham in April 1998 - a month after winning his fourth Super Series Finals title in London. 

Following in the footsteps of his illustrious, but unrelated, compatriot Jahangir Khan, Jansher enjoyed a distinguished career in the sport.  After winning the World Junior Championship title in 1986, he went on to collect a host of PSA Tour titles, including six British Open trophies and a record eight World Open crowns.

Handed a wild card by event promoter Zubair Jahan Khan - the former world No9 now coaching at Cumberland - Jansher will face Englishman Scott Handley, the third seed from Oxfordshire, in the first round of the 1-star London Open on Thursday 11 October. 

Should Khan progress through to the final on Sunday 14 October - and win the event - the success would mark his 100^th Tour title!

Men's 1st round draw:

[1] Bradley Ball (ENG) v Qualifier

[6] Tom Hoevenaars (NED) v Qualifier

[3] Scott Handley (ENG) v Jansher Khan (PAK)

[7] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) v Qualifier

[8] Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) v Jesse Engelbrecht (RSA)

[4] Ritwik Bhattacharya (IND) v Qualifier

[5] Khawaja Adil Maqbool (PAK) v Alex Stait (ENG)

[2] Shahid Zaman (PAK) v John Rooney (IRL)

Women's 1st round draw:

[1] Dominique Lloyd-Walter (ENG) v Qualifier

[5] Joshna Chinappa (IND) v Qualifier

[3] Sarah Kippax (ENG) v Qualifier

[7] Carla Khan (PAK) v Adel Weir (RSA)

[8] Kirsty McPhee (ENG) v Deon Saffery (ENG)

[4] Tenille Swartz (RSA) v Camille Serme (FRA)

[6] Laura Mylotte (IRL) v Dagmar Vermeulen (NED)

[2] Rebecca Botwright (ENG) v Qualifier