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Media release: 31st January 2008

THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN HEATS UP

World number one Alex Marshall has fine-tuned his preparations for next month’s ABN AMRO Australian Open with a record breaking fifth World Indoor Championship.

The 40-year-old, who hails from Scotland, defied the odds last week when he defeated England’s Ian Bond to become the first man in history to lift the coveted trophy on five occasions.

In the process, Marshall leapfrogged Sydney’s David Gourlay into top position on the world rankings, an honour he hopes to defend in Melbourne.

Standing in his way, however, is a handful of the games biggest names, including reigning Commonwealth Games gold medallist Kelvin Kerkow and newly crowned World Singles Champion Safuan Said.

Australia’s Aron Sherriff and Canada’s Ryan Bester, who claimed silver and bronze respectively during last week’s World Championships, will also be in attendance.

While Ireland’s Jeremy Henry and Australia’s Steve Glasson, who won the 2000 and 2004 world titles, will also fancy their chances.

“I’m really looking forward to the ABN AMRO Australian Open,” Marshall said.

“I had a successful time at Darebin when I claimed gold in the Commonwealth Games pairs, so I’m looking forward to competing there again.

“With the likes of Mark Casey, Kelvin Kerkow and Jeremy Henry all competing, the competition should be really tough.

“I’m coming off a pretty good year having won the World Indoors Singles Championship for the fifth time, so I am very pleased with that.”

Having claimed the World Indoor Championship in 1999, 2003, 2004 and 2007, Marshall created history last week when he became the first man to capture the title on five occasions.

The 40-year-old’s form on the outdoor greens, however, is just as impressive, having won Commonwealth Games and World Championship (1992, 2000) gold in the pairs.

But with Said, Sherriff and Bester in ominous form, a Scottish win is far from a fait accompli.

In the women’s event, the competition should be just as fierce, with defending champion Ahmad Siti Zalina the short-priced favourite.

The Malaysian superstar, who has won the past two Commonwealth Games gold medals, will face stiff competition from Australian young gun Kelsey Cottrell and her World Championships teammates, namely Claire Duke, Julie Keegan, Lynsey Armitage and Karen Murphy.