Just above El Weleily, England’s Laura Massaro has once again leapt above Ireland’s Madeline Perry to equal her highest ranking to date of no.3.

The two remain unchanged with Nicol David extending her reign at no.1 to 67 months whilst Jenny Duncalf stays at no.2 for her 23rd month in a row.

Natalie Grinham moves up a single place to no.7, her highest position since August 2010. Grinham won her 17th WSA tour title in January at the prestigious Tournament of Champions, a tournament making its return to the WSA tour after a couple of years. In the final she beat Indian star Dipika Pallikal, who this month has more reason to celebrate as she makes further history in her country by reaching a career high ranking of 14. As well as reaching the final at TOC, she also reached the semi finals at the Greenwich Open. Mexico’s Samantha Teran, a fellow Greenwich Open semi finalist, moves up 1 spot to 11 to equal her highest ranking to date.

Just outside the top 20, 16 year old Egyptian star Nour El Sherbini rises to 23 after reaching the semi finals of the Tournament of Champions.

There were further players who recorded significant career highs in the top 100 for:
NSC Series no.2 Champion Siti Munirah Jusoh at 39
Hong Kong’s Liu Tsz-Ling - a two time runner-up in January at 50
Australia Day Champion Sarah Cardwell at 55
Edinburgh semi-finalist Zephanie Curgenven at 83
Pakistan’s Liberty Bell Champion Maria Toor Pakay up a massive 73 places to 89

Siti Munirah Jusoh

Siti progressed through the event without dropping a game, before reaching Liu Tsz-Ling in the final. She then dispatched her opponent from Hong Kong, 11-4, 7-11, 12-10, 11-7.

The draw for the event heavily featured a contesting local contingent of players, and Tsz-Ling was one of just three first round entrants not of Malaysian descent. Carmen Lee, also of Hong Kong made it as far as the quarter finals, but Mi Jin Kim of South Korea was forced to concede a walkover in the first round.

Final:
[1] Siti Munirah Jusoh (MAS) bt [2] Liu Tsz-Ling (HKG) 11/4, 7/11, 12/10, 11/7 (56mins)
Semi finals:
[1] Siti Munirah Jusoh (MAS) bt [4] Pushppa Devi (MAS) 12-10, 11-6, 11-3 (31mins)
[2] Liu Tsz-Ling (HKG) bt [7] Tan Yan Xin (MAS) 11-8, 9-11, 4-11, 8-11 (24mins)
Quarter finals:
[1] Siti Munirah Jusoh (MAS) bt [8] Vanessa Raj (MAS) 11-2, 11-6, 12-10 (31m)
[4] Pushppa Devi (MAS) bt [5] Rachel Arnold (MAS) 6-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9 (48m)
[7] Tan Yan Xin (MAS) bt [3] Carmen Lee (HKG) 7-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-9 (27m)
[2] Liu Tsz-Ling (HKG) bt [6] Zulhijjah Binti Azan (MAS) 11-8, 11-5, 11-7 (29m)

1st round:
[1] Siti Munirah Jusoh (MAS) bt Zoe Yuk Han Foo (MAS) 11-6, 11-2, 11-3
[8] Vanessa Raj (MAS) bt Jadeleen Lee (MAS) 11-1, 11-2, 11-8
[4] Pushppa Devi (MAS) bt Aika Azman (MAS) 11-8, 9-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7
[5] Rachel Arnold (MAS) bt Mi Jin Kim (KOR) w/o
[7] Tan Yan Xin (MAS) bt Michelle Wong (MAS) 11-3, 11-7, 11-5
[3] Carmen Lee (HKG) bt Celine Yeap (MAS) 11-6, 11-5, 11-9
[6] Zulhijjah Binti Azan (MAS) bt Lim Jee Nee (MAS) 11-9, 11-9, 11-2
[2] Liu Tsz-Ling (HKG) bt Min Jie The (MAS) 5-11, 11-2, 11-5, 11-4

Mixed teams from eight nations will compete in the inaugural biennial event launched by the World Squash Federationwhich gets underway on Wednesday.

After early rounds at the Indian Squash Academy in Chennai, the final stages of the U21 World Cup will be held on an all-glass show court erected at the Express Avenue Mall, the largest shopping complex in southern India.

Photo by Squashsite

Egypt, led by the two reigning world junior champions Marwan El Shorbagy and Nour El Tayeb, are the top seeds, ahead of second seeds England, No3 seeds France – and hosts India as fourth seeds.

El Shorbagy, the 18-year-old world No41 from Alexandria, reached last week’s quarter-finals of the Tournament of Champions in New York, becoming the first qualifier to appear in the last eight of the elite PSA World Series event for ten years.

Furthermore, team-mate Nour El Sherbini, a 16-year-old former world junior (U19) champion, made the semi-finals of the women’s Tournament of Champions unseeded.

But a surprise finalist in the event was 20-year-old Dipika Pallikal, the Indian senior champion

Photo by Squashsite

from Chennai. The world No15 – the highest-ranked player in the World Cup – recorded her best ever success on the women’s World Tour in New York after overturning two higher-seeded opponents to reach the final as the seventh seed.

Australia team member Sarah Cardwell, the 20-year-old daughter of legendary former world No1 Vicki Cardwell, has also just shown her best form to date – winning her maiden Tour title this month at the Australia Day Challenge.

Charles Sharpes, a London-born 19-year-old who leads the England attack, took out the top two seeds in the first PSA World Tour ranking event of the year in France to notch up the fourth Tour title of his brief career to date.

The former British U17 and U19 national champion enjoyed an illustrious junior career, having represented his country at U15, U17 and U19 levels.

“If it wasn’t for an event like the WSF U21 World Cup, a player like Charles would be unlikely to play again for England for five years,” said England Squash & Racketball’s Head of Coaching & Performance Keir Worth. “And representative squash is so different.”

Sharpes, ranked 96 in the world, will be joined in the England squad in Chennai by 20-year-old Ben Coleman, 18-year-old Declan James, 20-year-old Carrie Ramsey, and 17-year-old European Junior Champion Emily Whitlock, the current No1 in the WSF World Junior Circuit Rankings.

“But the new event is also a good way to measure our success internationally – our players tend to come on later than others,” added Worth. “Charles is hitting form just at the right time and Emily, who is only 17, is also showing great promise – as is Declan, who is still at school.

“What makes this event unusual is that if you look at the draw, you will see that there are no easy matches – right from the early pool stages.

“But the real key is that the U21 World Cup establishes itself as a permanent fixture on the squash calendar – one that more countries can build into their future planning to give their players the chance to play representative squash earlier than might otherwise be possible,” concluded Worth.

Early action will take place in two pools of four teams each, followed by semi-finals on Saturday (4 February) and the final on Sunday.

Pool line-ups (with seedings in brackets):
Pool A: (1) Egypt, (4) India, (5) Australia, (8) Germany
Pool B: (2) England, (3) France, (6) Hong Kong, (7) Malaysia

Unlike he earlier matches this weekend, Briggs came out firing on all cylinders from the word go, attacking strongly and keeping the pace high. Noom struggled to come to terms with it, subsiding 11/3 in pretty quick time.

The Dutchwoman found her footing from the start of the second though, slowing the pace effectively and finding some winners of her own. Briggs still led though, but never by much and when Noom levelled at 9-all with a backhand volley drop we had a real contest. It was Briggs who took the next two point though, both with winners driven deep, for a two-game advantage.

An early 3/0 lead for Orla in the third didn’t last long as the top seed took seven points in a row to move within sight of the title. Another fightback from Orla made it 9/7, but a dropshot from Lauren with Orla stranded at the back brought up match balls 10/7.

A lob that dies at the back saved one, but a trademark drive deep into the back corner consigned Orla to a second successive runners-up spot, and the title was heading down to London.

“I went on with the intention of taking the game to her and put as much pace into it as possible. I got a good start, volleying when I could and putting her under a lot of pressures.”

“In the second and third she got used to it, and slowed the pace a lot. You always have to be alert against her, she can turn her intensity on at any time and hit some good winners out of the blue, then her confidence really grows.”

“It’s good to be back playing tournaments again,” said Briggs, “even better that after four matches my body is still in one piece! I’m off to Winnipeg tomorrow, it will be even colder than here!!”

“She didn’t let me in at all in the beginning,” admitted Noom, “so I tried to relax and slow it down as much as I could. I got into it but I wasn’t moving as well a I would have liked, and in the end she was just too steady and too fast today.”

“I guess I’ll have to come back next year to see if I can make it third time lucky!”

Photo credits to Squashsite

In last week’s first ever all-English final of the prestigious PSA World Series Tournament of Champions at Grand Central Station, Sheffield-based Matthew – who topped the world rankings throughout 2011 before Willstrop replaced him in January – reclaimed pole position after overcoming his Leeds rival in a dramatic 85-minute climax.

The 2012 British National Squash Championships, from 7-12 February (following qualifying the previous two days), will be celebrating its 16th successive year in Manchester and its tenth appearance at the National Squash Centre, the unique venue which was built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games and boasts a permanently-sited all-glass court.

In the draws revealed today, both Willstrop and Matthew face qualifiers in the first round en-route to the predicted men’s final which would be the first in the event’s 38-year history to feature the top two players in the world.

Willstrop, twice winner of the title, is the event’s the top seed. The 28-year-old, who surprisingly crashed out at the quarter-final stage last year, is expected to meet seventh seed Chris Ryder, the former world university champion from Leamington Spa, in the quarter-finals before a predicted clash with career-long rival and England team-mate Peter Barker in the semis.

Barker, the world No7 from London, is the third seed and opens his 2012 campaign against Yorkshireman Neil Cordell.

Second seed Matthew has an anticipated quarter-final clash with Guernsey-born Chris Simpson, the world No52 from Harrogate. Champion on three previous occasions – in 2006, 2009 & 2010 – the 31-year-old is expected to face fourth seed Daryl Selby in the semi-finals.

It was 29-year-old from Essex who shocked the country – if not the world – by toppling Matthew in last year’s final to become men’s champion for the first time. Selby, ranked 11 in the world, begins the defence of his title against a qualifier.

Lurking near the bottom of the men’s draw is Yorkshireman Simon Parke, the only other former champion in the 2012 field. The now retired former world No3, who will celebrate his 40th birthday later this year, made his British Nationals’ debut in 1987 – and won the title for the only time 11 years later.

In his 19th appearance in the event, Parke will face 14th seed Charles Sharpes, a 19-year-old from Surrey who was born in 1992 – the year after Parke first appeared in the final!

The women’s title is also expected to go to Yorkshire: Jenny Duncalf, the top seed from Harrogate, is expected to reach her fifth final in six years. Ranked two in the world, 29-year-old Duncalf opens her bid against a qualifier and is expected to line up against England team-mate Sarah Kippax, the Halifax-based No4 seed from Cheshire, in the semi-finals.

Local hopes will be led by third seed Laura Massaro, the world No4 from Preston who last year became Lancashire’s first winner of the title.

Third seed Massaro begins the defence of her title against a qualifier, and faces her toughest opponent in the predicted semi-final in the lower half of the draw against second seed Madeline Perry.

The world No3 from Banbridge, near Belfast, is hoping to become Ireland’s first ever winner of the title. Perry plays Lauren Selby – sister of the men’s champion – in the opening round before her expected meeting in the final against Duncalf.

But, despite winning her 13th Irish national title in December, Perry has yet to reach a British final.

More than 340 players will converge on Manchester, not only for the two main open events but a full range of men’s and women’s Masters events, from Over-35 to Over-75.

Men’s 1st round draw:
[1] James Willstrop (Yorks) v Qualifier
[13] Andy Whipp (Cheshire) v Declan James (Notts)
[7] Chris Ryder (Herts) v Qualifier
[9] Adrian Waller (Herts) v Qualifier
[3] Peter Barker (Essex) v Neil Cordell (Yorks)
[10] Robbie Temple (Glos) v Qualifier
[6] Tom Richards (Surrey) v Qualifier
[15] Eddie Charlton (Notts) v Adam Murrills (Cheshire)
[11] Joe Lee (Surrey) v Stephen Siveter (Merseyside)
[5] Adrian Grant (Kent) v Qualifier
[12] Joel Hinds (Derbyshire) v Anthony Graham (Glos)
[4] Daryl Selby (Essex) v Qualifier
[14] Charles Sharpes (Surrey) v Simon Parke (Yorks)
[8] Chris Simpson (Hants) v Ben Coleman (Essex)
[16] Jaymie Haycocks (Shropshire) v Phil Rushworth (Yorks)
[2] Nick Matthew (Yorks) v Qualifier

Women’s 1st round draw:
[1] Jenny Duncalf (Yorks) v Qualifier
[7] Lauren Briggs (Essex) v Qualifier
[4] Sarah Kippax (Cheshire) v Lisa Aitken (Scotland)
[8] Alison Waters (Middx) v Qualifier
[6] Victoria Lust (Beds) v Sarah-Jane Perry (Warwicks)
[3] Laura Massaro (Lancs) v Qualifier
[5] Emma Beddoes (Warwicks) v Tesni Evans (Wales)
[2] Madeline Perry (Ireland) v Lauren Selby (Essex)

Tickets for the British National Squash Championships – Manchester 2012 can be booked online at www.isportgroup.com/ticketing, or by telephone on 0844-870 0000 – or for further help and information email: info@isportgroup.com

For more general details of the 2012 National Championships, please visit the official website: www.nationalsquashchamps.co.uk

Urquhart will face reigning Cleveland Classic champion Laura Massaro in the next round, after the Englishwoman beat Malaysian Low Wee Wern. Massaro took a well-deserved lead early on thanks to some strong lengths and canny shot selection. Wee Wern, still only 21-years-old, fought well and managed to claim the third game, before Massaro’s experience saw off the contest after 53-minutes.

The last remaining US hopeful Amanda Sobhy played well in front of home-crowds as she dispatched the experienced Rachael Grinham in straight-games. Grinham’s error count was unusually high, frequently hitting the tin early on to allow Sobhy the opportunity to establish and hold a lead from the start. From there the Harvard student found a consistent length to trouble her opponent and her intelligent use of drop shots eased her unfancied progression to the next round to play Jenny Duncalf.

No2 seed Duncalf beat English compatriot Sarah Kippax after a well-contested effort from the qualifier. After registering a controlled first-game victory, Duncalf was troubled by a more settled game-plan by Kippax, but at the midway stage of the second game, play was halted after the higher ranked played sustained a nasty blow to the knee from a Kippax racket-swing. An injury break of nearly 20-minutes was held whilst Duncalf recovered, but Kippax was clearly embarrassed by the incident and seemed unable to regain the focus she had found early on. The 3-0 result that followed was a hollow victory for the world number two.

There was nearly a surprise result at the top of the drawer, as Nicol David was forced to five-games against New Zealand qualifier Joelle King. Last week’s Greenwich Open finalist went two games down against the world No1 and David’s progression seemed inevitable as she took a 6-1 lead in the third game.

King tried a last-ditch change of tactic however, and launched upon an impressive attacking tirade to come from behind and claw back a game in her favour. More of the same followed in the fourth game as King drew level, standing firm as David looked to extend the rallies and look for signs of weakness in her opponent’s game.

At 6-5 up, King looked on the verge of a momentous upset but the world No1, using all her experience from years at the top of the sport, further tightened her width and won six points in a row to sneak ahead of the 23-year-old and progress to the quarters.

David will play Annie Au of Hong Kong in the next round, who should be well rested following the withdrawal of her first round opponent Camille Serme, following a last minute back injury.

No4 seed Madeline Perry looked to get over her disappointing Greenwich Open exit last week, with a strong 3-0 win over qualifier Jaclyn Hawkes. Hawkes, perhaps fatigued after an close 80-minute scrap with Emma Beddoes in qualifying finals the day before, was never able to establish herself against the experienced Irishwoman.

Perry’s progression sets up an intriguing quarter final clash with young Egyptian Raneem El Weleily, winner of last week’s Greenwich Open. The world No7 from Alexandria faced a stern test against former world No2 Natalie Grinham, who herself saw victory last week, winning the WSA Tournament of Champions title in New York.

Both players tend to favour the attacking drop shots and there was nothing separating the pair at 11-11 in the first game. Grinham showed little concern for the score line as she slotted in a crosscourt nick from well behind the service box, taking her to a game ball that she was able to convert. El Weleily struck back, extending a 7-point lead in the second game before a lapse in concentration saw Grinham back in the hunt at 8-7. Refocused, the Egyptian got her head down and saw off the game to draw level at 1-1.

In the third, El Weleily was able to string together a whole game of dominance, with Grinham unable to respond. But again some youthful erraticism crept into her play in the fourth and allowed Grinham a glimmer of hope at 8-4. The Egyptian flicked the switch back on though, and with some racket wizardry, worked seven out of the next eight points in her favour, to progress through to the next round.

Quarter final draw:

[1] Nicol David (MAS) v [8] Annie Au (HKG)

[4] Madeline Perry (IRL) v [7] Raneem El Weleily (EGY)

[3] Laura Massaro (ENG) v [Q] Donna Urquhart (AUS)

[2] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) v Amanda Sobhy (USA)

1st round results:

[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [Q] Joelle King (NZL) 11-4, 11-9, 9-11, 8-11, 11-7 (63m)

[8] Annie Au (HKG) bt Camille Serme (FRA) w/o

[4] Madeline Perry (IRL) bt [Q] Jaclyn Hawkes (NZL) 11-7, 11-9, 11-6 (35m)

[7] Raneem El Weleily (EGY) bt Natalie Grinham (NED) 11-13, 11-7, 11-4, 11-9 (36m)

[Q] Donna Urquhart (AUS) bt [5] Kasey Brown (AUS) 10-12, 11-7, 11-6, 13-11 (62m)

[3] Laura Massaro (ENG) bt Low Wee Wern (MAS) 11-4, 11-5, 9-11, 11-5 (53m)

Amanda Sobhy (USA) bt [6] Rachael Grinham (AUS) 11-3, 11-7, 11-2 (19m)

[2] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) bt [Q] Sarah Kippax (ENG) 11-8, 12-10, 11-7 (52m)

The Greenwich Open first round saw me up against former World Junior Champion, Amanda Sobhy. I started off the match well, moving the ball around and keeping the talented American under pressure. I quickly went up 2/0. With nothing to lose, Sobhy stepped up her game and went for broke, pulling off some fantastic winners. This continued in the 4th game and I lost a close one, 9/11. The match was taking it’s toll on Amanda and I was able to regain control and dominate the last game, winning 11/5.

In the quarter finals, I faced an improving Samantha Teran from Mexico. Again I started the match well, keeping my opponent under pressure and won the first two games easily. The start of the third was tough and I began to tighten up. I lost the variety in my game that I had in the first 2 and began losing confidence. I was hit in the face when my opponent turned on the ball and I had to have a time out to stop the bleeding. The fifth game was close, and in the end, came down to who made the first mistake and unfortunately I came out the loser of the day.

Although a loss is hard, it is a good kick in the butt for me to reassess my thinking on court, especially in the third game. I have learnt a lot of invaluable lessons from this tournament and will take it into the next one in Cleveland, starting on the 29th January.

After early rounds at the city’s Indian Squash Academy, the final stages of the mixed team event will be held on an all-glass show court erected at the Express Avenue Mall, the largest shopping complex in southern India.

India have been named as fourth seeds, behind favourites Egypt, second seeds England and No3 seeds France.

Home hopes are led by an Indian squad featuring Dipika Pallikal, the 20-year-old women’s world No15 from Chennai and the highest-ranked player in the event. Pallikal, who also represented her country in last year’s (senior) WSF World Cup, has made a major impact on the WSA World Tour already this year, reaching last week’s final of the Tournament of Champions in New York – as the No7 seed!

Making up the squad are 17-year-old Asian Junior U19 champion Anaka Alankamony, and Ravi Dixit, Ramit Tandon and Karan Malik.

“We are the fourth seeds – but we are confident of winning a medal,” said Indian National Coach Cyrus Poncha.

“We are delighted to initiate the inaugural Under 21 World Cup here in Chennai after re-launching the WSF World Cup last year. We’ve had great support from the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) in addition to the WSF and the Federation’s President Mr Ramachandran.

“Indian Squash is now firmly entrenched in the world map of squash, through administrators, tournament organisation and performance in the junior tournaments, as well as the senior PSA and WSA circuits,” Poncha continued.

“The Indian public, who are cricket crazy, are becoming more aware of this exciting sport.”

“Furthermore, Dipika’s progress augurs well for Indian Squash. Her foundation was laid at the Squash Academy.”

“The Express Avenue Shopping Mall, the busiest and largest in South India, provides an ideal location for the event – increasing awareness of the sport. They have supported this event fully, including last year’s event.”

“Sponsors are coming forward in droves and this is good for the development of Squash in India,” concluded Poncha.

Early action will take place in two pools of four teams each, followed by semi-finals on Saturday 4 February and the final on the Sunday.

Pool line-ups (with seedings in brackets):
Pool A: (1) Egypt, (4) India, (5) Australia, (8) Germany
Pool B: (2) England, (3) France, (6) Hong Kong, (7) Malaysia

Local hope Frania-Gillen Buchert had a good run in the event, upsetting No7 seed Sally Skaarenborg of Denmark after coming back from 2-0 down to win an epic 5-setter. 

Afterwards Gillen-Buchert said: “I made it really difficult for myself, it took me a while to implement my game plan. She had a good volley and was really quick. She got more back than I expected.”

The Scot went on to play No2 seed Orla Noom of the Netherlands, who recorded a comprehensive first round win over Danish Bine Malund Lind. 

Scottish hopes were buoyed early on, as Gillen-Burchet took a first-game lead over Noom, but was gradually forced further and further into the back of the court as the No2 seed began assert herself on the match. 

Noom held firm throughout periods of pressure from her opponent, and a couple of untimely errors by the Scot gave the Dutchwoman the opportunities she needed to take the game.

Afterwards Noom said: “It took me a game to figure her out. I was panicking a bit, but I was happy to pull through the third.”

Gillen-Buchert was happy with her performance despite the loss: “I’m sore and stiff, but pleased. After time out you forget the basics of competition. This has been a good indicator of what I need to work on.”

Dominika Witowska of Poland fell foul of her unseeded opponent Julia Lecoq in round one, losing in four games 11/2, 11/8, 11/13, 11/2. Lecoq went on to play Austrian Birgit Coufal, who had seen off qualifier Victoria Bell in her first round match, also in four games. 

No3 seed Coufal played a patient and careful tactic against Lecoq, using the lob to good effect and was only really troubled by her opponent when the game sped up in the third game. Winning in three, Coufal explained afterwards: “I slowed the first and second games down with lots of lobs, which you can do [with the high ceiling] on court five. In the third she attacked and I was slow to react. Eventually I straightened the ball and it was ok.”

No1 seed Lauren Briggs dispatched Egyptian Nada Elkalaawy in the first round, before dealing with young Frenchwoman Laura Pomportes in much the same fashion. Pomportes had overcome her national compatriot Melissa Alves in five games to make it to the quarters. 

English Zephanie Curgenven beat Poland’s Anna Jurken in three games, before progressing to beat higher seed Maud Duplomb in a 30-minute contest. Curgenven was delighted with her performance: “I made the second game very physical, and I think it broke her for the third. The fourth was a bit of a battle but I came through.” Duplomb had beaten Cignay Sillevis 3-1 before exiting the competition at the hand of Curgenven.

Semi finals draw:
[1] Lauren Briggs (ENG) vs [3] Birgit Coufal (AUT)
[6] Zephanie Curgenven (ENG) vs [2] Orla Noom (NED)

Quarter final results:
[1] Lauren Briggs (ENG) bt [5] Laura Pomportes (FRA) 11/7, 11/7, 12/10
[3] Birgit Coufal (AUT) bt Julia Lecoq (FRA) 11/5, 11/7, 12/10
[6] Zephanie Curgenven (ENG) bt [4] Maud Duplomb (FRA) 6/11, 12/10, 11/3, 11/6
[2] Orla Noom (NED) bt [Q] Frania Gillen-Buchert (SCO) 8/11, 11/6, 12/10, 11/8

Round 1 results:
[1] Lauren Briggs (ENG) bt Nada El Kalaawy (EGY) – 11/7 11/3 11/5
[5] Laura Pomportes (FRA) bt [Q] Melissa Alves (FRA)- 11/7 11/4 4/11 8/11 12/10
[3] Birgit Coufal (AUT) bt [Q] Victoria Bell (ENG)- 11/9 11/5 10/12 11/7
Julia Lecoq (FRA) bt [8] Dominika Witkowska (POL) – 11/2 11/8 11/13 11/12
[6] Zephanie Curgenven (ENG) bt Anna Jurkun (POL) – 11/7 11/5 11/3
[4] Maud Duplomb (FRA) bt [Q] Cigany Sillevis (NED) – 11/13 11/5 11/2 11/2
[Q] Frania Gillen-Buchert (SCO) bt [7] Sally Skaarenborg (DEN) – 8/11 5/11 11/4 11/6 11/8
[2] Orla Noom (NED) bt Bine Malund Lind (DEN) – 11/5 11/5 11/3

Thanks to David Lyons for content and photographs.

WSA Tournament of Champions

El Sherbini started quickly against Grinham, drawing on confidence already gained by defeating No3 seed Samantha Teran and local hope Latasha Khan on her way to the semis. The teenager established a quick first game lead over Grinham, who then came back refocused to claim the following two games. El Sherbini, demonstrating a rare maturity and court intelligence for someone of her 16 years, didn’t back down under the pressure and instead dug deep to claim the fourth game. 

It turned out to be one game too many for the teenager, her twelfth over the tournament, as Grinham was able to establish an early lead in the fifth and close out the game with seven match balls. “Nour changed her game a bit in the fourth,” Reflected Grinham. “I let her dictate the points, thinking that I would let her lose the match rather than try to win it. In the fifth I knew I had to just go out and win it.”

Grinham would then face Dipika Pallikal, who won a 3-0 upset over No5 seed Jaclyn Hawkes in their semi final. Pallikal of India succeeded in dominating the tee and was confident in stepping forward for the early volley, a tactic to which her New Zealand opponent had no steady reply. The determination of the No7 seed was evident following the scalp, telling interviewers: “I won’t be happy until I have finished my job and won the tournament.”

Determination wasn’t going to be enough for Pallikal however, as Grinham’s tour experience paid dividends in the final. The 20-year-old was never allowed to settle into the match as Grinham demonstrated methodical shot selection and impeccable court coverage. 25-minutes was all it took for the No2 seed to play out the final, utilising a good length and width to deny Pallikal time in the middle of the court, and subsequently, the young player never looking likely to threaten the higher seed. The Indian national champion professed to twitter followers after her ninth match in ten days: “Horrible day on court today.  Legs just gave up.  Hard few weeks on court.” 

The 2012 Tournament of Champions winner revealed after the match exactly how she set about defeating an opponent 13-years her junior: “Dipika is quite handy with the racket and she volleys well so I made sure not to put the ball where she could easily reach it.”

Grinham’s win is her 17th WSA title and her first Tournament of Champions win. 

Final:
[2] Natalie Grinham (NED) bt [7] Dipika Pallikal (IND) 11-4,11-3,11-3 (25m).

Semi finals:
[7] Dipika Pallikal (IND) bt [5] Jaclyn Hawkes (NZL) 11-5, 14-12, 11-9 (40m)
[2] Natalie Grinham (NED) bt Nour El Sherbini (EGY) 6-11, 11-5, 11-5, 7-11, 11-4 (45m)

Quarter finals:
[2] Natalie Grinham (NED) bt 6] Sarah Kippax (ENG) – 11/3, 11/4, 12/10  (32m)
Nour El Sherbini (EGY) bt Latasha Khan (USA) – 11/6, 13/11, 11/3  (26m)
[5] Jaclyn Hawkes (NZL) bt [1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) – 11/5,11/8, 11/5 (25m)
[7] Dipika Pallikal (IND) bt [4] Donna Urquhart (AUS) – 11/9, 11/5, 7/11, 10/12, 11/9 (65m)

Round 1:
[1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt Kanzy Emad El-Defrawy (EGY) – 5/11, 11/13, 11/9, 11/3, 11/5
[5] Jaclyn Hawkes (NZL) bt [Q] Lauren Selby (ENG) – 11/2, 11/2, 11/5
[4] Donna Urquhart (AUS) bt [Q] Maria Toor Pakay (PAK) – 11/7, 11/7, 11/3
[7] Dipika Pallikal (IND) bt Olivia Blatchford (USA) – 11/5, 11/3, 11/7
Latasha Khan (USA) bt [8] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) – 11/7, 13/11, 7/11, 9/11, 11/1
Nour El Sherbini bt [3] Samantha Teran (MEX) – 11/6, 11/9, 9/11, 11/7
[6] Sarah Kippax (ENG) bt [Q] Miranda Ranieri (CAN) – 15/13, 11/2, 11/5
[2] Natalie Grinham (NED) bt [Q] Lucie Fialova (CZA) – 11/8, 11/4, 11/2
 
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