Entry is now closed for the Czech Open with a high-quality array of players signed up to meet in Prague.
Six of the top-10 men and women in the Racketlon World Rankings are heading to the Czech Republic to battle it out for the title.
In total there are 141 players signed up to compete in the tournament, the highest number on the FIR World Tour this year.
Christine Seehofer the Player to Beat in Prague
In the Women’s A category, Christine Seehofer returns to defend her crown. Unbeaten on the singles court since May 2016, Seehofer is the player to beat as she attempts to win her second IWT title of the year.
She is not short of challengers though, with a host of the world’s best competing in Prague. Fellow Austrian and World No.3 Bettina Bugl is in the field.
Joining her are top-10 players Kirsten Kaptein, Zuzana Severinova and Anna-Klara Ahlmer, who all began their 2019 season’s at last month’s Club La Santa Open.
World No. 8 and U21 World Champion Hannah Boden gets her 2019 campaign underway in Prague.
These six top-10 players are joined by Swedish player Emmie Danielsson. The World No.19 is competing in just her third elite level tournament on the international stage.
World No.1 Seehofer is the standout favourite for the title. This tournament will be an interesting test for her though, as young stars Boden and Severinova continue to improve their skills.
Morten Jaksland Leads Field With Lukas Windischberger Absent
Reigning champion Lukas Windischberger is not in Prague this year so World No.2 Morten Jaksland headlines the field.
The Club La Santa Open champion is joined by World No.4 Dan Busby and No.5 Benjamin Graenicher who are both making their 2019 debuts.
Fellow top-10 stars Emanuel Schopf, Luka Penttinen and Rav Rykowski also return to court after taking part in the Vienna Classics in February.
Outside of the top-10 there are a number of dangerous names, most notably Arnaud Genin. The recent breakout star already has wins recorded over Busby, Schopf, Rykowski and Penttinen.
Nikola Mikac and Erik Stenfelt are other names to keep an eye on having upset top-10 players previously.
Morten Jaksland enters the tournament as the favourite, especially after completing the triple crown at the Club La Santa Open. Can the Dane continue his flawless start to 2019 as he hunts down Lukas Windischberger at the top of the world rankings?
The live draw for the 2019 IWT Czech Open will take place in the coming days.
The full entry list for the Czech Open can be seen here.
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Sam Barker / FIR Media Officer
Image Credit / Inge Omey
