Gaultier out of Swedish Open as ElShorbagy prepares to return to squash World No1 spot

The injury means current World No.2 Mohamed ElShorbagy will overtake the Frenchman at the summit of the men’s PSA World Rankings next month.

Gaultier will be unable to defend the ranking points he accrued while winning last year’s Swedish Open and, with the points set to expire on February 28, will see his average dip below ElShorbagy’s average on March 1, regardless of the Egyptian’s performance at the Windy City Open later this month.

The withdrawal of the three-time winner, who injured himself during an epic quarter-final clash with England’s Nick Matthew in New York, sees compatriot Gregoire Marche move into the main draw, while Tournament of Champions runner-up Tarek Momen takes the number two seed spot and will face World No.27 Mathieu Castagnet.

Germany’s Simon Rösner, who beat Momen in New York to lift a maiden World Series title, becomes the number four seed and will play England’s Declan James, with Australia’s Cameron Pilley moving into the final seeded position to face a qualifier. The event will be screened live on Eurosport Player.

Despite Gaultier’s absence from the tournament, the Swedish Open – which takes place between February 8-11 at Linköping Sporthall – features a host of top-class talent, with new top seed Ali Farag looking to build on the form that has seen him rise to World No.3.

New Zealand’s Paul Coll – a finalist at last week’s Motor City Open – is also included, while the experience of former World No1 James Willstrop and 2015 World Championship runner-up Omar Mosaad will also be on show in an unpredictable draw.

Qualification for the tournament takes place between February 6-7 at Linköping Squash Center and Norrköping Squash Center, with main draw matches taking place on the glass court at Linköping Sporthall between February 8-11.

All main draw matches will be shown live on Eurosport Player.

Revised Main Draw – 2018 UCS Swedish Open
[2] Tarek Momen (EGY) v Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)
[Qualifier] v [8] Cameron Pilley (AUS)
[6] Daryl Selby (ENG) v Gregoire Marche (FRA)
Declan James (ENG) v [4] Simon Rösner (GER)
[3] Paul Coll (NZL) v [Qualifier]
[WC] Rasmus Hult (SWE) v [7] Omar Mosaad (EGY)
[5] James Willstrop (ENG) v [Qualifier]
[Qualifier] v [1] Ali Farag (EGY)