Atkinson Returns To Form To Reach Monte Carlo Final
After failing to achieve her seeding in the last two WISPA World Tour events in which she competed, Dutch favourite Vanessa Atkinson was in sparkling form as she stormed into the final of the Women's Monte Carlo Squash Classic after her third successive straight games triumph in the $31,000 event.
It was a high tempo match in which the 29-year-old world champion from The Hague dominated England’s third seed Tania Bailey. Atkinson had the upper hand throughout the first two games, but the 26-year-old Lincolnshire lass forced the third to seven-all before a crucial error led the top seed to match ball. After a long rally, Atkinson duly converted it to claim an impressive 9-4 9-4 9-7 victory in 45 minutes – and a place in her 28th WISPA final.
“This was the best I have felt on court for six months,” said a delighted Atkinson afterwards. “Being world champion created different expectations and a different mindset. I was going in thinking about the final rather than winning a round or two. Now I have had a few bad events, my expectations are lower again and I am enjoying thinking only of each match,” explained the favourite.
Atkinson’s opponent in the final will be Irish champion Madeline Perry, the 3/0 winner over England’s seventh seed Alison Waters. The 21-year-old Londoner, who upset second-seeded compatriot Jenny Duncalf to reach the last four, overhauled Perry in the first game to earn the first game ball at 8/7. A killing Perry forehand, however, snuffed out the chance for the underdog and the 28-year-old based in Halifax, in England, went on to take the game.
Perry maintained the pressure to clinch the match 10-8 9-3 9-7 in 52 minutes – and claim her fourth appearance in a WISPA final this year.
RESULTS: Women's Monte Carlo Squash Classic, Monte Carlo, Monaco
Semi-finals:
[1] Vanessa Atkinson (NED) bt [3] Tania Bailey (ENG) 9-4, 9-4, 9-7 (45m)
[4] Madeline Perry (IRL) bt [7] Alison Waters (ENG) 10-8, 9-3, 9-7 (52m)