England’s Ann Manley got her bid for a record sixth WSF World Masters Championship women’s title off to a winning start on Saturday – but was unaware of being on the cusp of squash greatness.

Manley, 78, sits level with compatriot Averil Murphy and Ireland’s Barbara Sanderson on five career World Masters trophies – and as she remains the only active player of the trio, another title this week in Amsterdam would see her make squash history.

Top seed Manley beat Sweden’s Margaretha Borgvall 11-5, 11-5, 11-3 in her opening match in women’s 75+ Group A, but was “amazed” to be told about her place in the roll of honour.

“I’ve missed one or two over the years, but I really enjoy seeing the same people and hopefully seeing a bit of each city,” said the Bristol-based player. Manley met her husband through squash and has taught her daughters and granddaughters to play. “I just like the energy, the running about and hitting the ball. I’ve met nearly all my friends through the game.”

Brian Cook of Australia is also on the verge of Masters squash immortality, sitting as he does alongside compatriot Geoff Davenport and South Africa’s Craig van der Wath on a joint-record six World titles. Cook beat USA’s Daniel Souza 11-4, 11-6, 11-6 in the men’s 75+ first round on Saturday, while Davenport beat Canada’s Friedrich Scheuch 12-10, 11-5, 11-4 in the 65+ second round. Cook said: “The 75+ final is before the 65+ final on Thursday, so even if me and Geoff both win, I’ll reach seven first!”

Cook hasn’t lost at the World Masters since 2016 and says he is unbeaten in the Australian Masters since 2009. The 76-year-old admitted to contemplating not coming to Amsterdam “for all of two seconds,” but added: “Once I’m here, I’ll play forever!”

Day three saw South Africa’s Robin Kemp suffer a 12-10, 11-9, 11-7 defeat in the men’s 80+ first round against England’s David Fisher. At 84 years, eight months and nine days old, Kemp is the oldest player in the entire tournament, as he was in the edition in Wroclaw.

“If the 2020 event hadn’t been postponed because of Covid I would’ve done much better as I’d have been a fresh-faced 80-year-old then!” joked Kemp. “I just love the game so much. Squash has been very kind to me, I’ve had wonderful trips all over the world. It’s special to be here and it’s a lovely atmosphere.”

The chances of Kemp family glory aren’t over though. Robin’s wife Margaret Hunt-Kemp begins her campaign in the women’s 75+ on Sunday against Slovenia’s Mariza Ohlsson (who, by coincidence, is the oldest woman in the tournament at 81!).

“Margaret and myself are both mad about sport,” said Robin. “She is very competitive. I taught her to play squash and now she beats me! She is extraordinarily fit and fast.”

Elsewhere at the Frans Otten Stadion, the Anjema family remain on course for a Dutch double, with former World No.9 LJ, the 40+ top seed, winning 11-1, 11-2, 11-0 against Argentina’s Guillermo Pedernera in round two – and his father Robert Jan Anjema (5/8 seed), beating Germany’s Christian Brocker 11-7, 11-4, 11-8 in the 70+.

The 2024 WSF World Masters Championships resume with day four on Sunday 18 August, with play beginning at 10:00 local time (CEST).

Head to WORLDSQUASH.TV to watch the action live and free.

Click here to view all the results from day three, click here to view the schedule for day four and here to check out all the draws.

The 2024 WSF World Masters Squash Championships are taking place at the Frans Otten Stadion from 15-22 August. Keep up with all the action at wsfworldmasters2024.nl

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