Hong Kong’s No.1 male player Max Lee will look to realise his dream of winning the Everbright Sun Hung Kai Hong Kong Squash Open when he lines up at the PSA World Tour Platinum event between November 19-25.

World No.14 Lee memorably reached the semi-finals of this tournament two years ago as he beat current World No.2 Ali Farag and Egypt’s Fares Dessouky en route to the last four, where he fell to eventual winner Ramy Ashour.

The partizan support of his home crowd was integral to Lee’s progress at the Hong Kong Open in 2016 and he will look to draw on the spectators once again as he aims to become Hong Kong Open champion.

“Since I was 12 years old, the Hong Kong Open has been my dream event to play,” said Lee.

“This feeling still keep my spirits firing. The home crowd is very important to me. For many years, they supported me a lots when I was down in the match and they push me to fight back.

“Since earlier this year, I have learned how to use my passion to overcome the unnecessary pressure. Logically, the match is not 100% won, but I am sure to enjoy it.

“My goal is always to win as many matches as possible and to show the quality squash that Hong Kong players produce.”

Lee opens up against World No.7 Miguel Angel Rodriguez in round one and will look to claim his first ever win over the Colombian after falling to defeat in each of their previous four matches.

If he can beat Rodriguez, Lee could make a bid for a place inside the world’s top 10 but admits there is still a way for him to go if he is to rank amongst the world’s elite.

“Although I am ranked 14 this month and I was ranked 12 a few years ago, there is still a high wall I need to jump over to break though into the top 10. Hopefully, Hong Kong will help me get through.”

Lee is one of five players from Hong Kong lining up in the men’s draw, which also includes Leo Au, Tsz Fung Yip, Chi Him Wong and Henry Leung. World No.12 Annie Au heads up local interest in the women’s draw and will be joined by Joey Chan, Liu Tsz-Ling, Tong Tsz-Wing, Vanessa Chu and Lee Ka Yi.

The Hong Kong Open is the third Platinum tournament of the season and will take place at the Hong Kong Squash Centre between November 19-22 before moving to the Hong Kong Park Sports Centre between November 23-25.

This year’s Hong Kong Open is a historic edition of the tournament, with equal prize money on offer for the first time ever. $329,000 will be split between the men’s and women’s draws and the winners of the tournament will also qualify for the season-ending PSA World Tour Finals.

Glass court fixtures from the Hong Kong Open will be shown live on SQUASHTV (Rest of World) and Eurosport Player (Europe only), while the semi-finals and finals will be shown by major broadcasters around the world, including BT Sport, beIN Sports, Fox Sports Australia and Astro.

For more information, follow the tournament on Facebook, Twitter or visit the event website.

2018 Everbright Sun Hung Kai Hong Kong Squash Open – Men’s Draw

[1] Mohamed ElShorbagy (EGY) [bye]

[9/16] Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) [bye]

[17/32] Alan Clyne (SCO) v Ramit Tandon (IND)

Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) v [17/32] Tom Richards (ENG)

[17/32] Joel Makin (WAL) v [WC] Chi Him Wong (HKG)

[9/16] Declan James (ENG) [bye]

[17/32] Leo Au (HKG) v Edmon Lopez (ESP)

[6] Paul Coll (NZL) [bye]

[7] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) [bye]

[WC] Henry Leung (HKG) v [17/32] Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS)

[17/32] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) v Ben Coleman (ENG)

Joshua Masters (ENG) v [17/32] Chris Simpson (ENG)

[9/16] Raphael Kandra (GER) [bye]

Todd Harrity (USA) v [17/32] Cesar Salazar (MEX)

[17/32] Cameron Pilley (AUS) v Rex Hedrick (AUS)

[3] Tarek Momen (EGY) [bye]

[4] Simon Rösner (GER) [bye]

Peter Creed (WAL) v [17/32] Adrian Waller (ENG)

[9/16] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) [bye]

[9/16] Omar Mosaad (EGY) [bye]

[17/32] Zahed Salem (EGY) v Karim El Hammamy (EGY)

Eain Yow Ng (MAS) v [17/32] Greg Lobban (SCO)

[9/16] Max Lee (HKG) [bye]

[5] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL) [bye]

[8] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) [bye]

Nathan Lake (ENG) v [17/32] Lucas Serme (FRA)

[17/32] Tsz Fung Yip (HKG) v Olli Tuominen (FIN)

George Parker (ENG) v [17/32] Campbell Grayson (NZL)

[9/16] Saurav Ghosal (IND) [bye]

[9/16] Diego Elias (PER) [bye]

[17/32] Gregoire Marche (FRA) v Arturo Salazar (MEX)

[2] Ali Farag (EGY) [bye]

2018 Everbright Sun Hung Kai Hong Kong Squash Open – Women’s Draw

[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) [bye]

Liu Tsz-Ling (HKG) v [17/32] Nele Gilis (BEL)

[17/32] Amanda Sobhy (USA) v Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL)

[10] Annie Au (HKG) [bye]

[12] Tesni Evans (WAL) [bye]

Julianne Courtice (ENG) v [17/32] Mariam Metwally (EGY)

[17/32] Zeina Mickawy (EGY) v Low Wee Wern (MAS)

[8] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) [bye]

[5] Joelle King (NZL) [bye]

Milou van der Heijden (NED) v [17/32] Mayar Hany (EGY)

[17/32] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) v Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS)

[16] Olivia Blatchford Clyne (USA) [bye]

[14] Joshna Chinappa (IND) [bye]

[WC] Lee Ka Yi (HKG) v [17/32] Dipika Pallikal Karthik (IND)

[17/32] Fiona Moverley (ENG) v Tong Tsz-Wing (HKG)

[3] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) [bye]

[4] Camille Serme (FRA) [bye]

Tinne Gilis (BEL) v [17/32] Rachael Grinham (NED)

[17/32] Millie Tomlinson (ENG) v Nada Abbas (EGY)

[11] Nicol David (MAS) [bye]

[9] Alison Waters (ENG) [bye]

Danielle Letourneau (CAN) v [17/32] Nadine Shahin (EGY)

[17/32] Emily Whitlock (ENG) v [WC] Vanessa Chu (HKG)

[7] Nouran Gohar (EGY) [bye]

[6] Laura Massaro (ENG) [bye]

Haley Mendez (USA) v [17/32] Yathreb Adel (EGY)

[17/32] Joey Chan (HKG) v Alexandra Fuller (RSA)

[15] Salma Hany (EGY) [bye]

[13] Victoria Lust (ENG) [bye]

Hollie Naughton (CAN) v [17/32] Coline Aumard (FRA)

[17/32] Rowan Elaraby (EGY) v Rachel Arnold (MAS)

[2] Raneem El Welily (EGY) [bye]