Squash World Games 2013: Best Final Fixtures Fans Can Hope for

Although the competition is still in its early stages, the schedule for the Squash World Games in Cali, Colombia throws up some potential fixtures that fans might hope to see.

While some of the lower seeds have been forced to make their way through the first round of qualification, the higher seeds are benefitting from the rest resulting from byes into the round of 16.

Whether it’s due to their talent in the sport or the possible subplots from their off-court relationship, the following men’s and women’s encounters would be a treat for squash fans this weekend.

Men’s Final

Peter Barker vs. Gregory Gaultier

A clash between two of the world’s best players right now, Gregory Gaultier and Peter Barker, seeded first and second for this tournament respectively, are currently at opposite ends of the competition.

Spectators can only hope the pair make it past opponents in the earlier rounds and set up a final that would be the most talented meeting possible.

Neither player won a medal at the last World Games in Kaohsiung, Taiwan in 2009, and will hope to live up to their favourites tags this time, perhaps coping better with the pressure.

Last week, Barker lost to James Willstrop in the final of the Canary Wharf Classic, but did well to push his England teammate to the edge.

Squash Cali's excitement at Gaultier's presence was clear from this tweet of the Frenchman warming up:

Gaultier has a difficult path to the final in Cali. Should he make his way past Canada’s Shawn Delierre in the round of 16, he will face either Julian Illingworth or Ryan Cuskelly in the quarterfinals. He has the capacity to beat both fairly easily.

The route gets tougher from there, however, as either local favourite Miguel Angel Rodriguez or Cameron Pilley of Australia would stand between him and a spot in the final, the latter of whom would undoubtedly be a tougher test.

Women’s Final

Rachael Grinham vs. Natalie Grinham

While many might hope to see World No.1 Nicol David make her way to the final, the Malaysian's talents don't guarantee the best final.

Instead, it’s the possible clash between sisters Rachael and Natalie Grinham, which would force them to put family relationships to one side in a bid to determine who’s on top of their game right now.

Natalie, 35, is one year younger than Rachael and at No. 12 is four places ahead of her sibling in the world rankings.

What’s more, the former Australian player now competes for Holland after marrying Dutch professional Tommy Berden.

As two veterans of the sport, either of the Grinhams reaching the final would pose for an exciting macthup, but to have both sisters at the competition’s climax could just bring a little extra from their games.

Seeded third and fifth respectively, Natalie and Rachael Grinham’s clash would make for an almighty closure to the weekend’s competition.