Grinham and Ricketts Celebrate Australian Open Squash Title
Former World No1 Rachael Grinham won the women's Australian Open squash title at the Melbourne Sport and Aquatic Centre on Saturday.
In the women’s final, Grinham defeated compatriot and second seed Amelia Pittock 9-3 9-7 9-1 to win her first Australian Open title. Grinham was forced to work hard for her victory, having fought back from 2-7 in the second game.
In the men's final, fellow Australian and world number three Anthony Ricketts defeated compatriot and world number four David Palmer 11-9, 11-8, 11-9.
It was Ricketts' second Australian Open title.
Final:
[1] Anthony Ricketts bt [2] David Palmer 11-9, 11-8, 11-9
Anthony Ricketts needed just three straight games to overcome compatriot David Palmer in the men's final of the Australian Open Squash Championships held at the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre, venue of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.
Renowned for his aggressive and uncompromising style of play, the popular Australian overcame Paul Price, Craig Rowland and Stewart Boswell before defeating World No4 Palmer 11-9 11-8 11-9 in a thrilling 48-minute final.
Ricketts, whose career appeared to hang in the balance in 2004 after an absence of six months from the World Tour to undergo surgery to repair tissue damage to his right knee, enjoyed a sensational 2005; winning the British Open in England; the prestigious Tournament of Champions at Grand Central Terminal in New York, USA; and rising to a career high of No3 in the Men’s World Rankings.
"2005 has been a fantastic year for me and this is the perfect way to start the New Year" said Ricketts on his official website www.AnthonyRicketts.com.
“My earlier wins, particularly against Stewart Boswell in the semi-finals, gave me a lot of confidence for my match against David and I’m really pleased with the way that I played in the final. The Australian Open is a very important title for all Australians and it’s great to get my name on the trophy again” added the World No3, who first won Australia's most prized trophy in 2000.
Ricketts will now join the Australian team for the World Doubles Championships where he will team up with Stewart Boswell in the Men's Doubles competition.
Semi-Finals:
[1] Anthony Ricketts bt [3] Stewart Boswell 11-6, 5-11, 11-9, 11-6
[2] David Palmer bt Dan Jenson 8-11, 11-10(2-0), 11-5, 11-8
Quarter-Finals:
[1] Anthony Ricketts bt Craig Roland 11-8, 11-4, 11-6
[3] Stewart Boswell bt Cameron Pilley 11-7, 11-8, 11-4
Dan Jenson bt [4] Joseph Kneipp 11-4, 6-11, 11-4, 11-6
[2] David Palmer bt Tim Manning 11-8, 11-7, 11-7
1st round:
[1] Anthony Ricketts bt Paul Price 11-4, 11-6, 11-10(4-2)
Craig Roland bt Cameron White 5-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-3
Cameron Pilley bt Alex Aldis 11-3, 11-3, 11-4
[3] Stewart Boswell bt Luke Margan 11-7, 11-9, 11-4
[4] Joseph Kneipp bt Scott Arnold 11-9, 11-9, 11-6
Dan Jenson bt Steve Salter 11-3, 11-5, 11-5
Tim Manning bt Tom Steward 4-11, 7-11, 11-1, 11-6, 11-7
[2] David Palmer bt Kirby Sinclair 11-4, 11-5, 11-5
For more details: http://www.isquashmedia.com/index.asp?newsfile=1784