Dubai: France’s World No.5 Camille Serme is relishing a return to Dubai when the ATCO PSA Dubai World Series Finals takes place from June 5-9 at the Emirates Golf Club.
The Frenchwoman has endured a frustrating season by her standards after a hugely successful 2016/17 campaign, but is looking forward to returning to Dubai and battling it out for a share of the lucrative $160,000 (Dh587,680) prize purse on offer, which is equal to the prize money on offer in the men’s tournament.
“It’s very exciting and I’m happy to go back to Dubai to play the World Series Finals,” said the 29-year-old.
“It’s a new venue so that’s really exciting for the players. It feels special. I think everyone sees it as a bonus tournament after a long season.
“You are more relaxed on court and can enjoy it and everyone comes with a guest or someone from their family so it’s really cool.”
Serme has been drawn in Group B alongside defending champion Laura Massaro, reigning World Champion Raneem El Welily and England’s Sarah-Jane Perry.
Last year the Frenchwoman was the top seed at the event after winning two World Series tournaments at the US Open and Tournament of Champions. However this year Serme insisted she is going to Dubai with no pressure.
“I’m really excited to be back and happy to be in the top eight, especially last year I was No. 1 seed which was really special, but I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself, I just want to enjoy my squash again.”
Meanwhile, following his historic win at last month’s Allam British Open where he became the first South American player ever to win a prestigious PSA World Series title, Colombia’s Miguel Angel Rodriguez has risen eight places to World No. 6 as part of a history-making top ten on the men’s rankings.
The 32-year-old from Bogota toppled tournament top seed Mohammad Al Shorbagy in Hull to lift the prestigious British Open and now sits just two places below his career high of World No. 4 — recorded in 2015.
The Colombian this week said he is excited to return to Dubai for the World Series Finals.
“It’s terrific for me, when I was a kid I always wanted to play at the tournament,” Rodriguez said. “When I was a kid the dream was to be top ten in the world and play the World Series Finals.”
Despite his defeat in the final however, Al Shorbagy maintains his position at the summit of the world rankings ahead of Ali Farag (No. 2), younger brother Marwan (No. 3) and Tarek Momen, who moves up to a career-high No. 4 ranking — marking the first time in history that Egyptian players have taken the first four spots on the men’s rankings.
England’s Nick Matthew drops to No. 13 ahead of his final ever tournament at next week’s World Series Finals in Dubai.
