Ashour to defend Australian Open squash crown

SYDNEY (AFP) –

Egypt’s Ramy Ashour (front) during the Australian Open men’s singles final against England’s Nick Matthew in August 2011. Ashour will defend his Australian Open crown in Canberra in August, Squash Australia said on Monday.

Egyptian former world champion Ramy Ashour will defend his Australian Open crown in Canberra in August, Squash Australia said on Monday.

Ashour last year became the first Egyptian to win the Australian Open when he beat England’s Nick Matthew in a five-game thriller.

World champion Matthew went on to become the first Englishman to win the British Open three times when he defeated Ashour in three games in London this month.

The Australian Open will be held on an all-glass court in Canberra’s Royal Theatre from August 13-19.