Reigning champions Carol Owens and Daniel Sharplin are the favourites to defend their titles at the national squash championships starting at Unitec in Auckland today.
Owens comes to the event fresh from her victory at the South Island championships in Christchurch, and should again be largely untroubled as she continues her
build-up to next month's British Open.
The world No 1's main rival will be second-seeded fellow Aucklander Shelley Kitchen, who is also preparing for the British event.
Wellington's Tamsyn Leevey and Canterbury's Sarah Cook are also expected to make the semifinals.
The men's draw is harder to pick because the traditional combatants are being challenged by some new young contenders.
Veteran Sharplin returns from Boston to defend his title, but will face stiff competition from Auckland's Kashif Shuja, who will be playing at the championships for the first time after securing New Zealand residency status.
Shuja toppled some world-class opposition on the way to the South Island championships title eight days ago.
Seedings:
Men: Daniel Sharplin (Southland) 1, Kashif Shuja (Auckland) 2, Glen Wilson (Auckland) 3, Callum O'Brien (Auckland) 4, George Crosby (Wellington) 5, Nathan Sneyd (Wellington) 6, Danny McQueen (Bay of Plenty) 7, Oliver Johnston (Otago) 8.
Women: Carol Owens (Auckland) 1, Shelley Kitchen (Auckland) 2, Tamsyn Leevey (Wellington) 3, Sarah Cook (Canterbury) 4, Jackie Hawkes (Otago) 5, Kylie Lindsay (Auckland) 6, Rebecca Hawkes (Auckland) 7, Sally Hawkes (Auckland) 8.
