WORLD SQUASH NEWS

RESULTS: Bahrain WISPA Squash Classic, Bahrain

Final:
[1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [2] Cassie Jackman (ENG) 5-9, 9-4, 9-4, 9-2 (55m)

Grinham Celebrates Jackman Hat-Trick In Bahrain

Australia's Rachael Grinham strengthened her status as the world's number one squash player after beating England's Cassie Jackman, the world No2, in four games in the final of the Women's Bahrain WISPA Classic at the Al A' Ali Mall in the country's capital Manama.

It was the Queenslander's third WISPA World Tour final win over her great rival this year and the 16th title of her career.  Grinham had recorded her earlier wins in the Kuwait Open and Texas Open finals while Cassie Jackman prevailed in the semi-finals of the Qatar Airways Challenge in February.  The top two seeds entered the court relatively fresh after avoiding extended semi-finals.

The balconies overlooking the Perspex court were festooned with both advertising signs and people hanging over the edges. They saw the first game unfold with Jackman being allowed to unleash a flow of winners as Grinham hung back. Usual roles were reversed as Jackman played deft flicks across court from the backhand side - a Grinham trademark shot.

A partial comeback was made, but from 7-5 Jackman pushed on with two buried winners on the forehand to take the initial game.

But as the second game progressed, Grinham started going in shorter, getting in front of Jackman more and generally exerting more control.  The Australian favourite raced to a 6-1 lead, saw the gap whittled away a little as Jackman buried a couple of overheads, but drew level after 28 minutes.

From this point, it became clear that Jackman's two-month Achilles injury layoff, followed by only two weeks back on court, was not the ideal preparation for this examination - well though the Englishwoman played.  The Cairo-based world number one only had to avoid a serious lapse of concentration for her superior match tightness to lead her to the title.

The third game was soon in the bag and while a match ball in the fourth was saved by Jackman, it only delayed the finish momentarily as Grinham went on to claim her 5-9 9-4 9-4 9-2 victory in 55 minutes.

"It went better than I expected this week, but Rachael played too well and I came up a little short in the end," said Jackman later, conceding also surprise that she had reached the final with so little play under her belt.  "Getting to the final was a real positive and my Achilles came through fine so I am pleased with that too."

Not surprisingly, the winner was even more elated: "Cassie is right on my heels and it is great to win and edge further ahead.  Today was really hard even though I won in four rather than five," said Grinham.

The other winner was Bahrain squash. The local Federation were praised by all the players for the manner in which they had mounted the event; and by the local enthusiasts and passers by alike who were given a chance to se the top players in action.  The wider audience of live national TV and in the newspapers ensured that the sport now figures on the local radar.

Next week sees many players moving to Amsterdam for the Women's World Team Championships with every possibility of a return bout between Jackman and Grinham in the final if their squads both make it.  The extra time should make the outcome even less assured.