Aamir 'gutted' to miss tournament after fracturing his wrist

The defending champion has pulled out of the Abu Dhabi Open squash tournament as he has not fully recovered from a wrist injury he suffered two months ago.

ABU DHABI // Aamir Khan has pulled out of the Abu Dhabi Open squash tournament as he has not fully recovered from a wrist injury he suffered two months ago. "He fractured his wrist and hasn't played since," said Iqbal Khan, the father and coach of the Abu Dhabi champion. "He has to make a gradual comeback and that should take more than a month. "He can't take any chances by going straight into a competition," he added.

"Aamir was gutted missing the Abu Dhabi Open but he must realise he can risk his entire career if he aggravates the injury. "He is only 18 and has enough time to play for many more years if he stays in good shape." Khan, born to Pakistani parents in Abu Dhabi, is the world No 10 at the Under 19 level. He was set to play in the Super Division along with Adil Maqbool, who is the undisputed champion in the UAE, and another player born in Abu Dhabi to Pakistani parents.

Meanwhile, Mike Dravitzki, the fourth seed in division one, got through the opening round of with a straight game victory over Imad Khalidi. Mohsen el Gezery went the distance before overcoming Bilal Mutte and Akram Chalich overcame Jay Bidal 3-1. In the division two, Mark Griffin got the better of Abdu Ahad Parekh in a five setter and CK Ananth retired in the final game after Mabrouk al Nahdy made a fine come back to take the match into a decider.

Griffin did not have much success in the veterans though, going down to the Bilal Mohammed, the Beach Rotana hotel coach, in straight games while Jamal Boshor beat Freddie Fernandes 3-1. The Open was not played last year because the Sheraton hotel, which had been the venue for the event, pulled out. @Email:[e-mail]