Shuja, originally from Pakistan, turned professional in 2005 and within four years had reached No 35 in the world rankings. He has won the national men's open title on five occasions and recently travelled overseas where he played for top clubs in Austria and the Netherlands.
Williams represented New Zealand at the world teams championships in France last month and has a world ranking of 79. He became a professional in 2008 and climbed no fewer than 40 places in the world rankings during a 12-month stint playing in South America and England. The fact he is coached by former Wairarapa squash identity Nick Mita, these days based in Wellington, is sure to make the left-handed Williams a crowd favourite.
Likely semifinalists in the men's open grade will be a couple of players with an A1 grading, Sam Atkins (Wellington) and Mike Pittiams (Auckland), and they are talented enough to score an upset if either Shuja or Williams have an off day.
A field of eight will line up in the women's open grade and you would have to think seven of them are playing for second behind hot favourite Joelle King, ranked No 5 in the world. Her impressive CV includes winning an Australian women's open title, a Texas Open title, a New Zealand open title and two medals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, a gold in the women's doubles and a silver in the mixed doubles. King's opponent in the final is likely to be Danielle Fourie of Palmerston North, who has an A2 grading, and it wouldn't surprise if Masterton's Gerry Brooking makes the semi-finalists. She is a gritty player who won't give an inch, no matter what the calibre of the opposition.
Those wanting to see the big guns in action will have three chances to do so, from 8pm to 9.30pm tomorrow, 3pm and 5pm on Saturday and 2pm onwards on Sunday.
