Gaultier Excited to Begin Season at Oracle NetSuite Open

The Frenchman defeated England’s James Willstrop to lift last year’s title – his third Oracle NetSuite Open crown – and he is eyeing up further success as he looks to begin the season in style.

“I’ve played the event five times and have always enjoyed playing there,” said 34-year-old Gaultier.

“It’s the first tournament of the season, so of course it’s important to have a good start from there and try to build up some confidence for the rest of the season. We will see what happens.

“[Tournament Promoter] John Nimick always does a good job with organising events and always tries to set up the glass court in spectacular places.

“After all these years going there, I know lot of people and friends, so it's even more pleasant to go somewhere you have already experienced, spent good time and have a lot of good memories. It’s a great place to visit for people who come to watch the event also.”

Gaultier is part of the strongest ever men’s draw, with World Champion Karim Abdel Gawad, World No.3 Mohamed ElShorbagy and World No.4 Nick Matthew all seeded to join him in the semi-finals as they battle it out for a share of the $100,000 prize fund.

A women’s tournament featuring $50,000 prize money will also be held alongside the men’s event and sees defending champion Laura Massaro headline the draw ahead of Malaysia’s eight-time World Champion Nicol David, World No.6 Sarah-Jane Perry and World No.13 Emily Whitlock.

The qualifying stages and first round of the Oracle NetSuite Open will be held at local clubs between September 24-26, with matches from the quarter-finals onwards taking place on the Oracle NetSuite Challenge court on Justin Herman Plaza between September 27-30.

Action from the Oracle NetSuite Challenge court will be shown live on SQUASHTV (Rest of World) and Eurosport Player (Europe Only), while tickets start from $20 and can be purchased at www.netsuiteopensquash.tix.com

2017 Oracle NetSuite Open – Men's First Round Draw
[1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) v [Qualifier]
[Qualifier] v [8] Daryl Selby (ENG)
[5] James Willstrop (ENG) v Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)
[Qualifier] v [3] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY)
[4] Nick Matthew (ENG) v Borja Golan (ESP)
Diego Elias (PER) v [7] Fares Dessouky (EGY)
[6] Tarek Momen (EGY) v [Qualifier]
[WC] Faraz Khan (EGY) v [2] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)

2017 Oracle NetSuite Open – Women's First Round Draw
[1] Laura Massaro (ENG) v [WC] Aisling Blake (IRL)
[Qualifier] v [8] Salma Hany Ibrahim (EGY)
[7] Donna Urquhart (AUS) v [Qualifier]
[Qualifier] v [3] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
[4] Emily Whitlock (ENG) v Dipika Pallikal Karthik (IND)
Millie Tomlinson (ENG) v [6] Olivia Blatchford (USA)
[5] Victoria Lust (ENG) v [Qualifier]
Heba El Torky (EGY) v [2] Nicol David (MAS)

Watch highlights from last year's men's Oracle NetSuite Open final