Grinham Stands In Way Of French Double In Warsaw

Dutch champion Natalie Grinham burst into the women's final of the European Individual Squash Championships at Squash City in the Poland capital Warsaw - and now stands in the way of the second French double in the European Squash Federation event in four years.

Winner of the title in 2009, Natalie Grinham upset England's second seed Emma Beddoes 11-5, 11-6, 11-7 in 31 minutes to claim an unexpected place in the women's final.

The former world No2 from Almere, who missed last year's event following the birth of her first child, will now face French favourite Camille Serme.

The world No9 from Paris, bidding to win the title for the first time, earned her maiden appearance in the final after defeating Italian Manuela Manetta 11-6, 11-6, 11-6.

By contrast, the men's final will be an all-French affair between Gregory Gaultier and Thierry Lincou for the fourth year in a row.

Lincou, the defending champion looking for his third successive title, ended the brave run of rising Swiss star Nicolas Mueller - beating the 5/8 seed 11-6, 11-5, 1-11, 11-7.

"I think we can safely say it's my best match since my return - not that I've played much mind you," the former world number one told www.sitesquash.com afterwards. "But it's really a great feeling, and I took a lot of pleasure out of this match, something I was deprived of for the past five months.

"A full-on match, with good pace, nice variations, and good attacks. Still needed a little breathing space in the third, I'm still physically a bit short. In other words, still more work to do, but at least, I can start seeing the silver lining!"

Lincou, who celebrated his 35th birthday last month, now faces national rival Gregory Gaultier, the top seed who won the title five times from 2004.

The world No6 from Aix-en-Provence marked his eighth successive appearance in the final by beating Dutch men's champion Laurens Jan Anjema 13-11, 11-6, 11-6.

RESULTS: European Individual Squash Championships, Warsaw, Poland

Men's semi-finals:
[1] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [3/4] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) 13-11, 11-6, 11-6 (56m)
[2] Thierry Lincou (FRA) bt [5/8] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 11-6, 11-5, 1-11, 11-7 (38m)

Women's semi-finals:
[1] Camille Serme (FRA) bt [3/4] Manuela Manetta (ITA) 11-6, 11-6, 11-6 (28m)
[3/4] Natalie Grinham (NED) bt [2] Emma Beddoes (ENG) 11-5, 11-6, 11-7 (31m)