Geaves Gets Grainger In Shock Apawamis Upset
England veteran Fiona Geaves, who is winding down her international squash career after taking up a coaching role in New York city, pulled off a sensational upset in the Women's Apawamis Squash Open when she beat local star Natalie Grainger, the fifth seed, in the quarter-finals of the WISPA Gold event in Rye, New York.
The 38-year-old from Gloucester recovered from a first game drubbing by Grainger to beat the world No7 from Washington DC 0-9 9-6 9-6 9-6.
Geaves will now face second seed Vanessa Atkinson for a place in her 15th WISPA final since 1990. Atkinson, the second seed from the Netherlands, survived a tough battle with England's seventh seed Tania Bailey to win 10-8 9-1 9-10 9-3.
The other semi-final brings together the current world No1 Nicol David, and the Australian she succeeded in January, Rachael Grinham. David, the top seed from Malaysia, recovered from the loss of the first game to Engy Kheirallah to go on and beat the Egyptian qualifier 6-9 9-6 9-0 9-1.
Grinham had to be at her best to withstand great pressure from Madeline Perry, the Irish champion who celebrated a career-high world No10 ranking this month. The Australia took the opening game, but Perry fought back from 6-8 down in the second to reach game-ball but failed to convert. Grinham re-established her authority to win 9-4 10-8 9-7.
RESULTS: Women's Apawamis Squash Open, Rye, NY, USA
Quarter-finals:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [Q] Engy Kheirallah (EGY) 6-9, 9-6, 9-0, 9-1
[3] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt Madeline Perry (IRL) 9-4, 10-8, 9-7
[Q] Fiona Geaves (ENG) bt [5] Natalie Grainger (USA) 0-9, 9-6, 9-6, 9-6
[2] Vanessa Atkinson (NED) bt [7] Tania Bailey (ENG) 10-8, 9-1, 9-10, 9-3