WORLD SQUASH NEWS

RESULTS: Women's Hurghada Squash International, Hurghada, Egypt

Semi-finals:
[1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [4] Laura-Jane Lengthorn (ENG) 9-6, 9-2, 9-0 (28m)
[2] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) bt [5] Alison Waters (ENG) 9-7, 9-0, 1-9, 5-9, 9-6 (73m)

Grinham & Kawy Return To Hurghada Final

The top two seeds, Rachael Grinham of Australia and local heroine Omneya Abdel Kawy, will meet in the final of the Women's Hurghada International for the second successive year after contrasting semi-final victories on the all-glass court on the promenade in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Hurghada.

All four players had enjoyed a rest day and, after the hottest day of the week so far, temperatures cooled slightly as the sun went down to set the scene for the evening's competition.  VIPs filled the front rows, ranks of Egyptian enthusiasts had commandeered most of the rest of the seating - preparing to see local squash star Omneya Abdel Kawy, the second seed, burst into the final of the WISPA World Tour event.

The World Junior champion was playing Alison Waters, the fifth seed who had upset Kiwi Shelley Kitchen in the quarters.  Despite being seeded three places higher, Abdel Kawy was far from hot favourite for the match. Waters held the results edge, having beaten her twice from three encounters; the most recent of which was a 3/2 victory in the World Open last December.  Perhaps the adulation would make Abdel Kawy a little too nervous.  Perversely, the extra heat could possibly help the English player as the lively ball could work in her favour if she had overall fitness on her side.

Kawy took a two-game lead, winning the second in a whitewash after the Londoner gave away too many opportunities to the home player.

Waters, however, put the bad game behind her and began her comeback.  As Kawy's loyal supporters feared a repeat of the World Open defeat, Waters bravely fought back to level the match.

In a tense fifth game decider, Waters moved marginally ahead at 5-4, but Abdel Kawy levelled and edged ahead with a framed winner.  A drive took her to 7-5.  Minutes later, jubilation reigned as Kawy clinched match-ball to reach the final for the second year 9-7 9-0 1-9 5-9 9-6 after 73 minutes.

Abdel Kawy was ecstatic, happily telling the massed ranks that she couldn't have done it without them:  "I am both relieved and pleased.  The people were worried that I would lose when I was two nil up like I did at the Worlds.  I knew Alison would start in the third but I managed to stay strong this time," added the 19-year-old from Cairo.

A disconsolate Waters summed up her effort:  "I gave it all but she was just too good at the end.  I wasn't thinking that I would win in the fifth, but thinking that I really could."

The second semi featured the adopted Egyptian Rachael Grinham against Laura-Jane Lengthorn, the favourite and defending champion against the fourth seed from England.  It was only their second meeting on the WISPA Tour, Grinham having beaten her 3/0 in the recent Qatar Classic.

In the last month Cairo-resident Grinham has rediscovered winning ways and has looked increasingly confident on court.  Bouncing around like a child in a school playground, she is no stranger to warm conditions.

The Australian needed just 28 minutes to claim her 9-6 9-2 9-0 win, and a place in her 30th WISPA Tour final.

"Suddenly it was really hot tonight," said Grinham later.  "The ball was very bouncy and I had to concentrate but I got there in the end."

Lengthorn was not too disappointed in defeat:  "It was only the second time that I have played her and this time was better.  The last two weren't as good as I wanted as I lost my length.  And if you let her control you she chops you up."