Scotland squash pair Clyne and Lobban set for Tournament of Champions in USA

Inverness Tennis and Squash club alumni Greg Lobban and Alan Clyne will be in action for the first time this year when the former Fortrose Academy pupils compete at the JP Morgan Tournament of Champions in the United States of America next week.

The opening round at New York City’s Grand Central Terminal gets under way on Thursday, with neither Clyne nor Lobban receiving a first-round bye into the round of 32.

Munlochy athlete Clyne has a tough draw if he is to have a successful competition, with Egyptian player Mazen Hesham in the first round and top seed Ali Farag waiting in the second.

Last month, Farag led Egypt to World Team Championship success – including beating English number one Adrian Waller 11–6, 11–6, 12–14, 11–4 to win his match in the final.

Lobban, from North Kessock, take on Hong Kong player Max Lee just two days before Lee celebrates his 32nd birthday.

If Lobban can get past Lee, then Colombian Miguel Angel Rodriguez awaits in the second round. Rodriguez reached number four in the world rankings back in 2015, and last year took a gold medal and two silvers from the Pan-American Games.

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