Husband and wife Micah and Eilidh Franklin are looking forward to defending their Gnosis National Squash Championship titles at the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association next week.

Micah is the top seed in the Open men’s division and Eilidh the No 2 seed among the Open women’s division and both have received a bye in the opening round of the tournament, which runs from March 11 to 15.

“As always I’m looking forward to the biggest local tournament on our calendar,” Micah told The Royal Gazette.

“The Gnosis National Squash Championships always seems to bring the best squash out of Bermuda. Having national rankings on the line, there’s a sense of pressure on everyone to perform at their best.

“This type of pressure is a bit of a love/hate relationship because it’s never easy on the nerves but also can make me play better-focused squash. I’m looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”

Franklin upstaged top seed and three-times defending champion Noah Browne in last year’s final to finally pick up the trophy after finishing runner-up to his opponent in the previous three finals.

He will begin his title defence against the winner of the first-round contest between unseeded Andrew Cox and Kion Knights.

Browne, the No 2 seed, will begin his campaign against unseeded Brendon Fourie, with third seed Anaya Smith taking on rival Malcolm Woodley and fourth seed Kristian Muldoon to face Ryan Faries.

The remaining Open men’s first round matches will feature D’vario Thompson taking on Romar Douglas, Aleem Qureshi against Taylor Carrick and Benjamin Barmlett locking horns with Dylan Pratt.

Eilidh Franklin is preparing to defend her title among a formidable field and is excited to be playing again after giving birth to a baby girl just four months ago.

“I’m excited to be playing squash again after having a baby in November,” she said.

“This year’s ladies competition is looking really strong, so I’ll have to be playing at my best if I want to retain the title.

“I can’t wait to get back out there in my first tournament since having my baby girl.”

She will begin her title defence against the winner of the first-round contest between unseeded pair Suzanne Rose and Olivia Sherratt.

Former Canadian professional Melina Turk is the top seed in the women’s draw this year and has also received a first-round bye as have third and fourth seeds Susie Howells and Joann Bielby and unseeded Shannon Mann.

Turk will face the winner of the first-roundmatch between Gabrielle Turchiaro and Rose Paulos, while Tyler Komposch will square off against Somers Stevenson in the remaining first-round.