EUROPEAN SQUASH NEWS

Finland & Hungary To Host New European Team Championships In 2011

Finland and Hungary will host the new-style European Team Championships next year, according to an announcement by the European Squash Federation today.

The increasing size of the championships, which have run each year since 1973 and now feature almost 50 teams, has led to difficulties in finding hosts for the event.

“Only a few countries have facilities located close to an international airport that include a venue with 12 to 13 courts and accommodation facilities with 450 to 500 beds,” explained ESF President Hugo Hannes. “Therefore the ESF Board submitted a number of motions intended to help future hosts.

“One of the motions was to bring the European Team Championships and the European Nations Challenge Cup under one umbrella to provide a European Team Championships of three divisions, with divisions 1 and 2 taking place at the same time and venue, and division 3 to be played in another location but also to be played in the spring instead of in the autumn.”

This motion was carried at the recent ESF AGM, and from 2011 onwards the European Team Championships will be played in 3 divisions: Division 1 with eight men’s and eight women’s teams, and Division 2 with 12 men’s and eight women’s teams. All other teams will compete in Division 3. There will be opportunities for promotion and relegation of two teams between all divisions.

The 2011 championships, featuring the first two divisions, will take place in Finland, while action in the third division will take place in Hungary.

The AGM motion to reduce the ETC men’s team from four players to three was defeated, with 14 votes against and 10 in favour.

“This outcome was disappointing for the ESF Board as the proposal, had it been accepted, would have reduced the number of courts required for the Championships to six plus one glass court,” explained Hannes. “It would also have brought the ETC into line with the World Championships; it would have reduced the number of hotel rooms needed; it would have reduced the cost for participating countries; and, importantly, it would have avoided the potential for countback on points thus making the game easier for the general public to understand. It could also have assisted promotion of the game from a marketing perspective.”

Members approved the motion for the ETC to revert to a four-day competition, as the changes will lead to fewer teams in the top two divisions.

The following nations have agreed to host the remaining ESF championships in 2011:

Germany: U15/U17 Junior Team Championships
Switzerland; U19 Junior Individual & Team Championships
Ireland: European Club Championships
Poland: European Individual Closed Championships
Portugal: European Individual Masters Championships

After completing his first two-year term on the ESF Board, Sweden’s Thomas Troedsson was re-elected Vice President.

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Nicol David Celebrates Half Century In New WISPA World Rankings

Malaysia's Nicol David reaches her 50th month as world number one, according to the June Women's World Squash Rankings, published by the Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA).
The 26-year-old from Penang first hit the top spot in January 2006 - then began her current uninterrupted reign as world number one from August in the same year.
With 44 WISPA Tour titles to her credit, Nicol David now boasts the longest run at the top of the world rankings since New Zealander Susan Devoy dominated the women's game from the mid 80s to the early 90s.

England's Jenny Duncalf is at two in the new list - ahead of Grinham sisters Rachael, who rises to three, and Natalie, who slips to four.
But two southern hemisphere players have much to celebrate in the June rankings: Australia's Donna Urquhart jumps three places to a career-high No16 to consolidate her status as her country's third highest-ranked player.
The 23-year-old left-hander from New South Wales has won four Tour titles and reached her ninth final at the Chairman's Cup in Hong Kong in January.
And Joelle King doubles New Zealand interest in the top 20 by making her debut in the elite group. The 21-year-old from Cambridge has exceeded expectations in all four WISPA Tour events in which she has competed this year - and, unseeded, secured her fifth title at the Texas Open in the USA in April after beating top seed Rachael Grinham in the final!

June top 20 (inc. points average):
1 [1] Nicol David MAS 2883
2 [2] Jenny Duncalf ENG 1697
3 [4] Rachael Grinham AUS 1512
4 [3] Natalie Grinham NED 1363
5 [5] Alison Waters ENG 1363
6 [6] Omneya Abdel Kawy EGY 1214
7 [7] Madeline Perry IRL 1025
8 [8] Laura Massaro ENG 853
9 [9] Kasey Brown AUS 649
10 [10] Camille Serme FRA 648
11 [11] Samantha Teran MEX 540
12 [14] Engy Kheirallah EGY 537
13 [13] Vanessa Atkinson NED 522
14 [15] Jaclyn Hawkes NZL 454
15 [17] Raneem El Weleily EGY 452
16 [19] Donna Urquhart AUS 428
17 [20] Annie Au HKG 425
18 [16] Isabelle Stoehr FRA 423
19 [18] Rebecca Chiu HKG 412
20 [21] Joelle King NZL 400
For the complete WISPA ranking list, see www.wispa.net

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EUROPEAN INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

LINCOU & DUNCALF WIN EUROPEAN TITLE

Contrasting finals in the 10th European Individual Squash Championships saw the men's title retained by Thierry Lincou – extending French 'ownership' of the trophy to seven years - and the women's crown regained by England's Jenny Duncalf at the Tennis & Squash Centre in Saarbrucken, Germany.

Top seed Duncalf, the European Individual champion in 2006 and 2007, arrived in Germany following three confidence-shaking defeats to lower-ranked opponents in the European Team Championships France.

And the world No2 from Harrogate immediately took a two-game lead against one of those victors, Dutch star Vanessa Atkinson, the 34-year-old former world number one now in the twilight of her career and ranked 11 places lower than Duncalf.

But Atkinson, a 3/4 seed who reached the final for the second year in a row after despatching second seed Camille Serme, battled back to win the third game and survive a tie-break fourth to level the match.

However, 27-year-old Duncalf reclaimed the advantage and closed out the match 11-8, 11-5, 9-11, 10-12, 11-5 to win her third tile – and extend her unbeaten run in the event to 12 matches.

It was clear that the men's final may not be the all-French classic which the Saarbrucken crowd were hoping for. Defending champion Thierry Lincou, the No2 seed, faced national rival Gregory Gaultier, the top seed who was appearing in the climax for the seventh year in a row, after winning the title on five of those occasions.

The Gallic duo have been fierce rivals throughout their careers – and their tournament head-to-head tally was delicately poised on 11 wins apiece on the eve of the match.

But Gaultier, the 27-year-old world No6 from Aix-en-Provence, suffered a twisted ankle during his semi-final victory over Hungarian Mark Krajcsak – and despite a hospital examination which showed no serious damage, but just bruising, it was never likely that the former champion would be 100% for the climax.

The favourite matched Lincou until midway through the first game – but the title-holder pressed home his advantage thereafter. Gaultier conceded after the second game, leaving Lincou the 11-5, 11-2 (ret.) winner.

It was the third time the two Frenchman had battled for the title in the final – and the second title triumph for Lincou, the 34-year-old world No8 from Marseille.

RESULTS: European Individual Squash Championships, Saarbrucken, Germany

Men's Final:
[2] Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt [1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 11-5, 11-2 ret.

Women's Final:
[1] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) bt [3/4] Vanessa Atkinson (NED) 11-8, 11-5, 9-11, 10-12, 11-5

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BUNDESLIGA FINALS

Sat 15th, Results Finals Men:

Sport-Insel Stuttgart 2-2 Paderborner
Paderborn win 9-7 on games

4 Moritz Dahmen 3-1 Cederic Lenz
11/6, 11/5, 8/11, 11/3 (44m)
3 Patrick Gässler 1-3 Lennart Osthoff
7/11, 12/10, 5/11, 5/11 (63m)
1 Wael el Hindi 3-2 Peter Barker
8/11, 7/11, 11/9, 12/10, 11/7 (82m)
2 Tim Weber 0-3 Simon Rösner
4/11, 2/11, 5/11 (28m)




Saturday 15-05-10
Results Bundesliga : FINAL WOMEN:
Squash-Insel Taufkirchen 3-1
SC Turnhalle-Niederrhein

4 Birgit Coufal 3-0 Stephanie Martins
11/2, 11/2, 11/9 (22m)
3 Astrid Kern 1-3 Franziska Hennes
11/5, 10/12, 11/6, 6/11, 5/11 (36m)
1 Sina Wall 3-0 Simone Korell
11/6, 11/5, 11/9 (17 min)
2 Kathrin Rohrmüller 3-1 Eva Brauckmann
11/5, 9/11, 11/8, 11/6 (23m)

Taufkirchen claimed the women's championship when Sina Wall won the third match 3-0 to put them out of reach of Niederrhein ...


Fri 14th, Men's Semi-finals:

B&W Worms 1-2 Stuttgart stuttgart win

4 Carsten Schoor 0-3 Moritz Dahmen
9/11, 4/11, 9/11
3 André Haschker 3-2 Patrick Gässler
12/10, 7/11, 7/11, 11/9, 11/3 (87m)
1 David Palmer 1-3 Gregory Gaultier
4/11, 11/7, 8/11, 6/11 (38m)
2 Jens Schoor 2-0 Tim Weber
11/7, 11/7

Schängel Koblenz 1-3 Paderborner

4 Oliver Pettke 3-1 Lars Osthoff
11/7, 11/8, 3/11, 11/6
3 Johannes Voit 1-3 Lennart Osthoff
7/11, 11/6, 6/11, 5/11 (44m)
1 Laurens-Jan Anjema 2-3 James Willstrop
8/11, 11/6, 11/5, 2/11, 8/11 (75m)
2 Stefan Leifels 0-3 Simon Rösner
2/11, 4/11, 4/11 (22m)

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ROWE Motor Oils Announced As British Squash Grand Prix Title Sponsor

Sports management company internationalSPORTgroup™ have announced ROWE Motor Oils as title sponsor for the British Grand Prix Squash Championships to be staged at the National Squash Centre in SportCity, Manchester from the 15th to 20th September.

The ROWE British Grand Prix - Manchester 2010 is the first event of a pioneering three year agreement between event promoters internationalSPORTgroup™ and Manchester City Council and will be the first European Super Series event on the restructured Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour, boasting the largest prize money offered by any World Tour ranking event in Europe.

"We are very excited at being able to extend our relationship with ROWE Motor Oils to include title sponsorship of the British Grand Prix," said internationalSPORTgroup™ Chief Executive Officer Paul Walters.

"The support of ROWE Motor Oil has been significant in helping the championships achieve the PSA Super Series prize level and we are very excited at the prospect of working closely with them in establishing a hugely successful long term addition to the Men’s World Tour".

"ROWE Motor Oils are a great supporter of sports in Germany, were they are based, and it is testament to the increasing international appeal of the sport that they have chosen to support the British Grand Prix to deliver international exposure for the company as they seek to achieve greater global penetration and sales," added Walters.

Michael Zehe of ROWE Motor Oils, said: "We are delighted to be title sponsor of the British Grand Prix and look forward to working with the internationalSPORTgroup™ and other event partners in welcoming the world’s finest squash players to Manchester for such a prestigious tournament which will attract thousands of sports fans to the city.

"Our promotional and marketing activities, consistent with many of our competitors, has traditionally been focused around motor sports, however we have been very pleased with the exposure and return that we have received from our existing relationships within squash and this latest agreement is an obvious extension of our sports marketing strategy" added the company's Founder and Chief Executive Officer.

As one of ten PSA Super Series events, the ROWE British Grand Prix establishes Manchester alongside other major squash destinations including New York, New Delhi, Cairo, Canberra, Hong Kong, Kuwait City, Doha, and Saudi Arabia.

Tickets for the ROWE British Grand Prix - Manchester 2010 to be held at the National Squash Centre in Manchester, England from the 15th to 20th September 2010, can now be booked online at www.isportgroup.com/ticketing, or by telephone on 0844 870 0000. For further information visit www.isportgroup.com or email info@isportgroup.com

Issued by isportgroup.com/SquashNews

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EUROPEAN TEAM Championships

Dutch take first title as England's men continue to reign supreme

Text from SquashSite.co.uk

It was an historic day at the Val de L'Arc sports centre in Aix en Provence as the European Team Championships saw new women's champions crowned, ending a 32-year domination of the event by England, who had won every event since its inception in 1987.

Netherlands, who conquered England in the semi-finals after losing to them in the last seven finals, met hosts France, who had themselves beaten the Dutch in their final pool match two days ago to reach their first-ever final.

However, on the Glass court in front of a packed audience, the Dutch team truned the tables to become champions of Europe for the first time. Vanessa Atkinson scored the first point for the Dutch, beating Camille Serme, but France's Isabelle Stoehr came through a five-game thriller to beat Annelize Naudé and level the match for the French.

Orla Noom was dominant in the decider though, beating Maud Duplomb in straight games to claim the historic victory.

France was also represented in the men's final, where they had lost to England in nine of the last ten years. Despite the fervent home crowd, the result was the same with England running out 4-0 winners to claim an 18th successive title.

France knew they needed to win at the top of the order, but when James Willstrop outlasted Thierry Lincou in a thrilling five-game 82-minute match and Nick Matthew beat Gregory Gaultier in straight games at number one, the writing was on the wall for the French.

Daryle Selby dully wrapped up the title with a straight-games win over Mathieu Castagnet and Peter Barker won the dead rubber against retiring French captain Renan Lavigne to secure an emphatic win for England.

Results from Squashsite.co.uk

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ISS CANARY WHARF SQUASH CLASSIC

NICK MATTHEW WINS ISS CANARY WHARF SQUASH CLASSIC

By ALAN THATCHER

Top seed Nick Matthew won his first ISS Canary Wharf Classic title by overpowering Frenchman Gregory Gaultier in tonight’s final.

The 69-minute victory crowned a magnificent week for the 29-year-old world No.2 from Sheffield, who was kept on court for more than two hours in his semi-final battle with fellow Yorkshireman James Willstrop the previous evening.

Matthew showed few signs of fatigue following one of the most epic battles in squash history and it was Gaultier who blamed tiredness for letting slip a 6-2 lead in the third game.

Gaultier was still ahead at 9-6 but was unable to convert that lead as Matthew forced the second tiebreak of the match, finally clinching it 13-11 after Gaultier held game ball at 11-10.

Matthew then ran out an easy 11-3 winner in the final game as Gaultier’s challenge wilted.

Earlier, Matthew had won the crucial opening game 12-10, despite Gaultier holding game ball at 10-9.

The Frenchman, who topped the world rankings in November, responded in stunning style, racing to a 5-0 lead and winning the game comfortably by an 11-6 margin.

He continued the attack in the third game but was unable to maintain his control as Matthew mounted a phenomenal physical response to clinch the title and continue his quest for the world No.1 slot.

Result: ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic Final, East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf, London:
(1) Nick Matthew (Eng) beat (2) Gregory Gaultier (Fra) 12-10, 6-11, 13-11, 11-3 (69 mins)

Legends of Squash Challenge:
Simon Parke (Eng) beat Peter Nicol (Eng) 11-8, 9-11, 11-7

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British National Squash Championships: 9th to 14th February 2010

Nick Matthew & Alison Waters Are New National Champions

After two contrasting finals today (Sunday) at the National Squash Centre in Manchester, Yorkshire’s Nick Matthew and Londoner Alison Waters emerged as the 2010 British National Squash Champions – Matthew retaining his men’s title after beating fellow Yorkshireman James Willstrop in straight games and Waters twice coming from behind to defeat top seed Jenny Duncalf, also from Yorkshire, in five games in the women’s climax.
Ranked two in the world, Nick Matthew emphatically demonstrated that he is Britain’s best player when he beat Willstrop, ranked four places lower, 11-5, 11-6, 11-6 to win the men’s title for the third time since 2006.

It was a repeat of the controversial clash on the same court last September when the two England team-mates contested the British Open final – when Matthew saved a match ball before winning a five-game 122-minute marathon.
On this occasion, top seed Matthew always had the upper hand and extended his unbeaten run against Willstrop to nine wins since 2007.
“That’s got to go down as one of my best performances – I didn’t make many errors,” explained the 29-year-old from Sheffield who is now unbeaten in the championship since 2005.
“You go on the court prepared for two hours with James. I know how good he is.
“It’s not often you beat him 3/0,” added the new champion.
Asked how it felt to be the British National champion again, the England number one said: “It feels good – it always feels good at this venue – I’m at home on the court.”

And how will he celebrate? “I’ll go out with family and friends – have a meal and a glass of wine – maybe some champagne.”
Willstrop, the world No6 from Pontefract who reached the final despite suffering a shoulder injury a week ago, admitted that Matthew was “just too good”.
“His physical presence was so strong – he made me play bad squash,” added the tall Yorkshireman who recently beat three of the top four players in the world en-route to winning the Tournament of Champions in New York.
“His superior physical condition found me out – like it hasn’t done for a while.
“Physically, he’s probably one of the best specimens in the sport. He’s now a tremendous athlete.
“I hope I can develop over the next few years – I’m not at my peak yet.
“I just felt lacking physically – there was no spark – I couldn’t use my racket like I wanted to.
“But I feel absolutely not disappointed – I couldn’t do anything else,” added the runner-up. “The only disappointment is that I have not produced.”
Second seed Alison Waters celebrated her fifth appearance in the women’s final in six years by prevailing in an epic match over favourite Jenny Duncalf, the world number three.

Duncalf, the defending champion from Harrogate, twice led her close friend and England team-mate. But Londoner Waters battled back in both cases to force a fifth game decider.
Again Duncalf moved ahead, leading 6-1 and 9-5 before reaching match ball at 10-9. Waters saved the match ball before eventually converting her own first to win 10-12, 11-7, 4-11, 11-7, 12-10 in 65 minutes.
“I think that was the best match we’ve ever played - I kept telling myself to keep down the errors,” said the 25-year-old world No5 after the pair’s third final together since 2007.
“It’s hard – we’re good mates. Neither of us wanted to lose.
We’ve got a lot of respect for each other – let’s hope that will still be the case!”
RESULTS: British National Squash Championships, National Squash Centre, Manchester

Men's final:
[1] Nick Matthew (Yorks) bt [3] James Willstrop (Yorks) 11-5, 11-6, 11-6 (49m)

Women's final:
[2] Alison Waters (Middx) bt [1] Jenny Duncalf (Yorks) 10-12, 11-7, 4-11, 11-7, 12-10 (65m)

For full coverage of the 2010 National Championships, please visit the official website: www.nationalsquashchamps.co.uk

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SAUDI INTERNATIONAL

Ramy Rallies To Saudi Success - & World No1 Ranking

It was a dramatic 110-minute final that brought the 2009 Saudi International to a fitting climax today (Friday) at Sunset Beach in Al-Khobar in Saudi Arabia when Egyptian Ramy Ashour not only clinched the $250,000 PSA World Tour Super Series squash title in sensational style, but ensured that he would become number one in the PSA world rankings in January 2010 for the first time.

Described by Professional Squash Association (PSA) CEO Alex Gough as "the most incredible, most tense match I have seen in a long time", the clash was watched not only by a packed - and partisan - crowd at Sunset Beach willing 'local' hero Ashour to win, but also by thousands of squash enthusiasts around the world via the new internet TV streaming service www.psasquashtv.com launched by the PSA at the final Super Series event of the year.

Top seed Ashour was facing England's third seed Nick Matthew - with both players eyeing up both the winner's cheque of $37,400 and the next world number one ranking.

The match was not only Ashour's longest of the tournament - but his longest all-time (by almost 20 minutes) on the PSA World Tour.

"I think we both played well, and to be honest, this is probably the toughest match I ever played," conceded the new champion to the official website www.atcosquash.com afterwards. "And I think it’s good that Nick and I are pushing each other that hard, because we’ll keep playing for a long time.

"I was able to relax at the start of each game, but when I got the lead, then I started thinking, and started to get all tense, and didn’t go for my shots!

"Tonight, it could have been anybody’s, it was the most amazing match ever! But at the end, it was so slippery out there! The sweat was coming out of our bodies, our shirts, our shoes!!! Maybe it was my shoes I don’t know, but I kept slipping on there!

"I’m so happy about winning this title, that’s something I’ve been working hard all my life. It was my dream, my brother, my mum, my dad, my coaches, and all the people that have been pushing and supporting me all those years."

Despite missing out on the world number one spot, world No4 Matthew has the consolation of knowing that he will rise to a career-high No2 in the January list.

"We fought hard, really we fought all the way, but there is an immense respect between us too," said the 29-year-old from Sheffield. "I think we both played well tonight, and there was the smallest of margin at the end.

"I had Adrian (Grant) in my corner, he was pushing me hard - but at some point, I had the impression that we were two against 2,000! Still, I kept imagining everybody back in Sheffield, looking at the match at the club on the big screen, and supporting me, and shouting for me. So I kept on telling myself, come on, push, just push, for them. And that gave me a lot of strength."

"All credit to Ramy - he deserves this victory, and the title. Although, we were smiling with Ziad (Al-Turki) during the trophy ceremony, when he said that he worked all his life to get that title, he is only 22! I really have worked all my life, so I think he should have let me have it then!

Alex Gough stated that it was the most incredible match he had seen in a long time. "Considering what was at stake, both players played fearlessly and produced squash of the highest quality," added the former world number four.

"It's an old cliché, but it was a shame someone had to lose - but tonight Ramy was the one who held up in the final throws. Tough for Nick to take, but he can be proud at being as close as he was.

"2010 is set up to be an incredible year all around and we have the players to elevate the sport to where it deserves," concluded the PSA CEO.

For more details, visit the official website www.atcosquash.com

Result Final:
[1] Ramy Ashour (Egy) bt [3] Nick Matthew (Eng) 11/7, 7/11,
11/9, 9/11, 11/8 (110m)

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QATAR CLASSIC

Matthew & Duncalf Celebrate Qatar Classic Double

In a sensational day for English squash at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in the Qatar capital Doha, Nick Matthew and Jenny Duncalf both beat higher-ranked opponent in today's (Monday) finals of the Qatar Classic in straight games, to claim their biggest titles on the international Tours.

Matthew, fourth seed in the men's $147,500 PSA World Tour Super Series event, knocked out Karim Darwish, the defending champion from Egypt who has topped the world rankings for most of this year.

Earlier Duncalf, who like Matthew is also from Yorkshire, followed her second upset in two weeks over Malaysia's world number one Nicol David yesterday, to crush Australia's world No4 Rachael Grinham in the climax of the $74,000 WISPA World Tour championship.

Indeed, it took 27-year-old Duncalf, the world No6 from Harrogate, only 23 minutes to despatch Grinham 11-5, 11-3, 11-3 – thus reducing the 8-4 career head-to-head lead the Queenslander boasted before today's clash.

The stunning victory brings Duncalf's tally of Tour wins this month to three – following the Soho Square Championship success in Egypt on the first of the month, and her triumph in the US Open in New York just seven days later.

Winner of the British National Championship at the beginning of the year, Duncalf has enjoyed a remarkably consistent run on the WISPA Tour since last year's appearance in the Qatar Classic in October 2008 – reaching at least the quarter-finals in the 16 events since.

"I think it was a combination of me playing well and Rachael not being on today - she wasn't moving well and made quite a few errors," Duncalf told www.squashsite.co.uk after her career-best success.

"It's a funny sort of win - there's no adrenalin pumping or anything - but I've won the Qatar Classic, even though I can't quite believe it yet!

"I was thinking beforehand that this would be my 13th win a row, hoping it wouldn't be unlucky 13! I wish there was another tournament next week now!"

Nick Matthew has enjoyed a stunning return to top form after a nine-month layoff following shoulder surgery at the beginning of last year. But top seed Darwish boasted a 3-1 head-to-head record over the 29-year-old from Sheffield going into today's meeting.

However, while Matthew prevailed in a semi-final which lasted only a game and a half after his England team-mate opponent Peter Barker was forced to retire injured, Darwish reached the final following two hard five-game battles over former world champions Thierry Lincou, of France, and compatriot Ramy Ashour.

The final took 51 minutes, but it was Matthew who emerged triumphant in an 11-5, 12-10, 11-6 scoreline.

"Karim is such a great champion, he’s been the world number one for a long time and he’s played some fantastic games over the past years," said the new Qatar Classic men's champion. "Today, he was bound to be tired, having had had a couple of three-twos with Thierry and Ramy.

"I know I’ve had a bit of 'bad luck' recently with my injuries – but, for me, the glass is always half full. Actually, it’s always three-quarters full! I never let myself feel sorry for myself; there are things much more important that can happen to you than a little injury. Look at (Anthony) Ricketts and (Lee) Beachill - they had to give up because they had major troubles, so as long as it’s little things like that, I’m not complaining," added Matthew.

"I really would like to thank Neil (Guirey) who was here with me this week; my team back in Sheffield; and DP [David Pearson] for all the efforts they’ve been doing with me since I was a teenager. It’s nights like this one that makes it all worthwhile for us all."

The Qatar triumph brings Matthew's career Tour tally to ten titles, including the Swedish Open and British Open trophies this year.

Results Qatar Classic Finals:
[4] Jenny Duncalf (Eng) bt [2] Rachael Grinham (Aus)
11-5, 11-3, 11-3 (23m)
[4] Nick Matthew (Eng) bt [1] Karim Darwish (Egy)
11-5, 12-10, 11-6 (50m)

Follow the action from the PSA and WISPA World Tours live on WWW.PSALIVE.TV - the webstreaming service of both the Professional Squash Association and Women's International Squash Players' Association. Enjoy live action, replays, download archive matches and exclusive Live & Uncut DVDs

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FOREXX WOMEN'S WORLD OPEN

27.September09

Nicol David Wins Fourth World Open Title

Defending champion Nicol David destroyed Dutch dreams of local success in the Forexx Women’s World Open Squash 2009 when she beat Netherlands number one Natalie Grinham in today's (Sunday) final of the $118,000 WISPA World Tour event at Frans Otten Stadion in Amsterdam.

The Amsterdam-based Malaysian now becomes only the third player in the history of the championships to win four titles, alongside Australia's Sarah Fitz-Gerald and New Zealander Susan Devoy.

But it was second seed Natalie Grinham, showing the form of her life in these championships, who set the early pace in the 30th international meeting of their career - dropping just three points en-route to taking the first game.

Midway through the second game, it was again Grinham who looked to be heading to victory - a win which would have been her first over the long-time world number one since April 2007, and one which would have reduced the 22-7 head-to-head lead that Nicol had as the pair took to the court.

But the balance of play swung towards the favourite at 7-6 up in the second: David won the next four points to draw level, and soon established a 7-1 lead in the third.

Grinham, the former Australian who became a Dutch national last year, snatched a further two points before David again rattled off four points in a row to lead 2/1.

Thought by many to be hot favourite to win the title for the first time in her fourth final, Grinham established leads of 4-1, 6-3 and 8-6 in the fourth game - but a determined David just didn't give up.

Two lengthy and crucial rallies saw the score move to eight-all - then two winners from David followed by a miss-hit by Grinham took David to match-ball at 10-8.

Seconds later, referee Chris Sinclair awarded the Malaysian a stroke - and Nicol David raised her arms in delight and relief to celebrate her astonishing 3-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-8 title triumph after 51 minutes.

"I knew it was going to be tough - I felt those eight-all and nine-all points were so crucial," said the new champion, former winner of the crown in 2005, 2006 and 2008.

"I needed that second game. After she won the first, I just didn't want her to get any more confidence.

"I just knew that the rallies would go on and on."

Nicol David, the 26-year-old from Penang who this month became the third longest holder of the world number one ranking of all-time, arrived in Amsterdam with her invincibility slightly shattered after losing in the quarter-finals of the British Open.

"To come back from last week and win my fourth world title means a lot to me," added David.

"I'm so happy. I just don't know what to say."

Natalie Grinham was clearly devastated by the defeat: "I'm still thinking about the game," said the 31-year-old from Almere shortly afterwards. "I wish there was more to play.

"When I think of how sick I was at the start of the year, being able to get a silver medal in the worlds is a great achievement in a way - I’m really delighted to be competing again at such a high level.

"But I’ve been second three times already, and I didn’t come here to be second again, so of course I'm disappointed.

"I thought I was definitely up there."

Final:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [2] Natalie Grinham (NED) 3-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-8 (51m)

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InternationalSPORTgroup British Open – Manchester 2009

14.September 09

Matthew Outlasts Willstrop In Historic Marathon All-English British Open Final

It took 122 minutes to settle the men's title in the internationalSPORTgroup British Open - Manchester 2009, with Nick Matthew finally emerging triumphant after beating England team-mate James Willstrop in the first all-English final of the world's oldest and most prestigious squash championship in 70 years.

Both players reached the final at the National Squash Centre in Manchester without dropping a game - and Willstrop, last year's runner-up, took the first game in convincing style.


But Matthew, the 2006 champion from Sheffield, battled back to take the second. The next two games were also shared - with Leeds man Willstrop visibly tiring at the end of the fourth as he put three successive balls into the tin.

In the decider - a gladiatorial encounter between two determined Yorkshiremen - Matthew built up a 6-2 lead before Willstrop delighted the packed crowd by coming back to overtake his opponent, eventually reaching match-ball at 10-9.

But England number one Matthew was not about to throw in the towel. The Sheffield 29-year-old reclaimed the advantage before going on to clinch the title on his first match-ball, winning 8-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-3, 12-10 to claim the historic trophy for the second time.

Earlier, Australia's Rachael Grinham ended the dream run of Irish champion Madeline Perry to win the women's title for a fourth time.

Perry, the first Northern Irish finalist in the history of the women's event, was unable to reproduce the form which saw her trounce hot favourite Nicol David, the world number one from Malaysia, in the quarter-finals.

Grinham dominated the first two games and held match-ball at 10-6 in the third. But Perry stepped up a gear and saved four match balls to take the game into a tie-break.

However, the former world number one from Australia reclaimed the advantage to run out an 11-6, 11-5, 12-10 winner after 39 minutes.

"I was really focussed today - I couldn't have played any better," said Grinham.

"It hasn’t really sunk in yet. At the beginning of the week I was a few points from getting knocked out - I was lucky to get through," added the Queenslander, ranked four in the world.

"To win the British Open for the fourth time is not easy to do."

Both players head straight from Manchester to Amsterdam where the Forexx Women's World Open Championship gets underway next week.

"I have been having a lot of trouble with confidence all week - so having a result like this going into the Worlds next week should give me confidence."

Perry rued her missed opportunity. "I'm obviously disappointed - but if you're feeling a bit tired, the worst player in the world to play is Rachael Grinham.

"I didn't really get into it until the third game," explained the fifth seed from Banbridge, near Belfast.

Reaching the final was a remarkable achievement for Perry, who sustained a serious brain injury following mysterious fall in Milan just two years ago.

"That's behind me now. This week I've played the best squash of my life - I've reached another level.

"I'd rather not think about what might be in next week's World Open - I could have won the British Open if I'd played as well as I did in the previous two rounds."

RESULTS: internationalSPORTgroup British Open Squash Championships, Manchester

Men's final:
[4] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [10] James Willstrop (ENG) 8-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-3, 12-10 (122m)

Women's final:
[2] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [5] Madeline Perry (IRL) 11-6, 11-5, 12-10 (39m)

Official website: www.isportgroup.com/BritishOpenSquash

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13.September 09

James Willstrop Sets Up Historic All-English British Open Final

Yorkshireman James Willstrop crushed Egypt's three-time world champion Amr Shabana in the second semi-final of the internationalSPORTgroup British Open - Manchester 2009 at the National Squash Centre to set up the first all-English final of the world's oldest and most prestigious squash championship for 70 years.

After a historic day in which three Englishmen competed in the semi-finals for the first time in living memory, Willstrop will face fellow Yorkshireman Nick Matthew. The world number four from Sheffield scored a resounding straight games win over his England team-mate Peter Barker to reach the final for the second time in four years.

Madeline Perry became the first ever Irish player to reach the women's final after beating Londoner Alison Waters. The world No8 from Belfast, who produced the event's biggest shock when she ousted firm favourite Nicol David, the world number one and defending champion from Malaysia, will now face three-time champion Rachael Grinham, of Australia.

Since reaching last year's final, where he lost in a dramatic fifth game tie-break, world No9 James Willstrop has undergone ankle surgery and is battling to fight back to the career-best world number two ranking he achieved in December 2005.

But the 26-year-old from Leeds put in a near-perfect performance to overcome Amr Shabana, a world number one for 33 months, 11-5, 11-6, 11-1 to set up the historic all-Yorkshire final.

"I've not made it a secret that I am a big fan of Amr's - he is a legend of the game," Willstrop told the packed crowd at Sportcity after his sensational win. "He is a very difficult player - and to beat him here in Manchester in the British Open is very special.

"I was very consistent from the start - I started well and this set the tone," added the two-time national champion who lost to Shabana in straight games only eight days ago in the US Open in Chicago.

"Last week he trounced me - I was half a yard off the pace and he was sublime. But tonight was one of those performances when I kept consistently tight."

Lifelong coach Malcolm Willstrop was delighted with his son's performance. "He played extraordinarily well - but you have to play well to beat the best player in the world on current form."

England number one Nick Matthew had not dropped a game en-route to the last four - and was in devastating form as he despatched Peter Barker, the world number eight, 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 in 48 minutes.

"Even though it was 3/0, I couldn't relax for a moment," said the 26-year-old from Sheffield later. "The game went according to plan - and it's not often that happens. It very rarely happens that you win all your matches 3/0 - so I've given myself a real chance for tomorrow."

Barker, the left-handed Londoner who upset Frenchman Gregory Gaultier, ranked two in the world, in the previous round, was full of praise for his close friend: "That's the best he's ever played against me. And when you get beaten by a better player, it's somewhat easier to take.

"I did everything to win, but it wasn't good enough. I can't argue with the result."

Fifth seed Madeline Perry produced the game of her life to beat Nicol David in the women's quarter-finals - and maintained her run in the semis, recovering from a game down to defeat third seed Waters 10-12, 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 in 63 minutes.

"I wanted to play well after beating Nicol yesterday - it would have been disappointing to then lose in the semi-finals," said the 32-year-old world No8 from Banbridge, near Belfast.

"I was aware that Alison would come out fast and furious and I had to be up for it and work hard.

"Obviously beating the world number one boosts your confidence," added Perry. "I've beaten a few good players, but not a lot of world number ones!

"I am very proud of where I come from - so reaching the final of the British Open should put me up there with the best Northern Irish squash players."

In the other women's semi, Yorkshire's Jenny Duncalf failed to reach the final for the second year in a row. The world number six from Harrogate went down 11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6 to Rachael Grinham, the second-seeded Australian who is looking for her fourth title.

"I'm happy to be in a major final - and the fact that it's the British Open makes it even better," stated the 32-year-old from Queensland who won the title in 2003, 2004 and 2007. "I felt better about the way I played today - the further I get through the draw, the better I feel. My accuracy was a lot better. I can definitely enter the court tomorrow feeling a lot more relaxed."

Duncalf was devastated by the loss: "It was a wasted opportunity - with Nicol out, it opened up the draw. I was edgy the whole time, I just wasn't timing it right and miss-hit everything.

"I'm disappointed that I just didn't play well - but she played a good game."

RESULTS: internationalSPORTgroup British Open Squash Championships, Manchester

Men's semi-final:
[10] James Willstrop (ENG) bt [3] Amr Shabana (EGY) 11-5, 11-6, 11-1 (32m)
[4] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [6] Peter Barker (ENG) 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 (48m)

Women's semi-final:
[5] Madeline Perry (IRL) bt [3] Alison Waters (ENG) 10-12, 11-8, 11-7, 11-9 (63m)
[2] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [4] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) 11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 11-6 (48m)

Official website: www.isportgroup.com/BritishOpenSquash