Fifth Time Lucky For Grinham In New York
Final:
[1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [2] Natalie Grainger (USA) 6-9, 9-6, 9-1, 1-9, 9-4 (70m)
It was fifth time lucky for Australia's Rachael Grinham who secured her first WISPA World Tour title of the year in her fifth final appearance after beating home heroine Natalie Grainger in the climax of the Women's Carol Weymuller Squash Open at Heights Casino in New York, USA.
It was a battle between two former world number ones which was described by Heights Casino Squash Director Julian Wellings as "the most intriguing match of the week, with both players enjoying complete control at times, each player desperately trying to impose their game on the other with two very contrasting styles of play".
Grainger, the No2 seed from Washington DC, got off to her customary quick start to take the opening game – despite the fact that Grinham, the event favourite from Queensland, was showing no ill effects of her 85-minute marathon 24 hours earlier.
Grainger maintained her momentum in the second to open up a 6-0 lead in just a couple of minutes – but the Australian hit back to take the game, then the third to forge a 2/1 advantage.
The 29-year-old US star found her confidence again in the fourth, as errors turned to winners and Grainger closed out the game to level the match.
The decider was the same battle for control, but unlike the previous two games neither player was allowing the other one to get away, and so it went point for point to 4-4.
"The physical advantage now started to tell as Rachael incredibly was still moving as she was in the first and Natalie was slowing down," explained Wellings.
Grinham maintained her focus to record her 6-9, 9-6, 9-1, 1-9, 9-4 victory in 70 minutes. The success marked the Cairo-based 29-year-old's 22nd career WISPA title.
"It was a great match to end a great tournament," concluded Wellings.