WORLD SQUASH NEWS

RESULTS: Women's Vassar College Class of 1932 Squash Open, Poughkeepsie, NY, USA

Semi-finals:
[1] Natalie Grainger (USA) bt [3] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) 9-4, 5-9, 9-1, 9-0
[5] Madeline Perry (IRL) bt [4] Isabelle Stoehr (FRA) 1-9, 0-9, 9-6, 9-6, 9-3

Perry Powers To Vassar Final

Irish No1 Madeline Perry maintained her 'giant-killing' form to reach the final of the Women's Vassar College Class of 1932 Open in Poughkeepsie, New York, where she will face tournament favourite Natalie Grainger.

The 27-year-old world No14 followed her defeat of second seed Fiona Geaves in the quarter-finals by beating Isabelle Stoehr, the fourth seed, in the semis.  After falling two games behind, however, it seemed that Perry's brave run might be coming to an end.  

But a magnificent comeback was to be witnessed:  Perry had been nervous about a knee injury and played somewhat tentatively.  But once she was warmed up, she kept the ball deep and prolonged the rallies.  The Irish champion duly won the next three games to take the match 1-9 0-9 9-6 9-6 9-3.

In the other semi-final - a battle between two African-born players - Grainger defeated Egypt's Omneya Abdul Kawy in an excellent four-game encounter.  Grainger, South African-born but now a USA resident, was able to anticipate the often tricky stroke play of Kawy.  Grainger kept plenty of pace on the ball and was outstanding in the first game.

But a full house was thrilled when Kawy took the second game 9-1, and it was game on.  However, Grainger regrouped and moved the Egyptian around the court constantly, taking the third 9-1. She took no prisoners in the fourth, ultimately running out an emphatic winner 9-4 5-9 9-1 9-0.