Having experienced the joys and rigours of touring the world squash stage, Ben Grindrod knows a thing or two about the white hot pressure of sporting expectation.

But nothing has the 21-year-old Tauranga local more at ease than the roar of a packed crowd at the Devoy Squash Centre as he looks to defend his Pak ‘n' Save North Island Senior Championships title.

Jamie Oakley and Ben Grindrod warm up ahead of the Tauranga Squash Open. Photo by Bruce Barnard.

This weekend the NZ No. 7 and World No. 162 leads the local charge in what is the biggest tournament in the club's history, with 180 athletes to grace Tauranga's courts – seeing both the Devoy and Mount Squash Clubs at full capacity.

From juniors through to A-graders, with New Zealand and world rankings, the tournament will also for the first time be a Professional Squash Association-approved tournament with world ranking points up for grabs.

Meaning the defending champion has been bumped from the top billing to No. 3 seed, thanks to eight American players and New Zealand Women's No. 1 and Commonwealth Games athlete Joelle King joining the men's grade.

'It's not going to be easy [defending my title] as last time, seeing I'm third seed. But I'm definitely coming to win it because I feel I have a good chance,” says a relaxed Ben.

'It will be good to see the Devoy Squash Centre packed out with all the familiar squash players.”

Dividing his time between Tauranga and Auckland's National Squash Centre, Ben remains confident in his abilities after a stint on the World Tour, including three stops in NZ last month.

Then there is the added incentive of it being a NZ Men's Team Selection event ahead of the World Championships in Kuwait – Ben needing to rise from sixth into the top four to be in the frame.

'It's tough being on the world tour, buts it's great for personal development and bettering myself.”

Tauranga Squash president Char Niles is excited for the 'best of the best” to be on show in Tauranga offering four days of action, starting yesterday and running through to today, seeing 325 matches divided between 13 draws.

The return of an American contingent for the second straight year has given organisers the chance to the give the tournament international exposure with action on two of the courts live streamed worldwide on www.sportwebcasts.com

'It's a huge tournament for our club where at one end of the scale we have our professionally ranked players, but at the other we have our juniors who can't wait to have a hit with Joelle,” says Niles.

Ben Grindrod, Alex Revington and Jamie Oakley.

The Pak ‘n' Save North Island Senior Championships started last night with local players moving through their heats. The first round of the top draws will start at 6pm today, with Saturday games from 8am-10pm and the finals tentatively scheduled for 3pm Sunday.

Matches to watch out for tonight are Ben Grindrod versus club mate Alex Revington at 6pm, Joelle King versus Sion Wiggin at 7pm, No. 1 seed Evan Williams versus Jason van deer Walt at 8.30pm.

For tournament draws and information, see www.devoysquashandfitness.co.nz