Queensland’s Rachael Grinham claimed her first ever Victorian Open title when she downed New Zealander Megan Craig in straight games at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) on Sunday. The seventh seeded Craig, in her biggest WSA final had upset second seed Delia Arnold in the quarter finals, fought hard in the first two games before Grinham ran away with the third to win 11-8, 12-10, 11-2 and claim her 32nd title on the WSA tour.
It was a triumphant return to the all-glass court at MSAC for Grinham, who won the women’s doubles and took silver in the women’s singles at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
The 36-year-old is still in great shape and said she was now targeting the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. “I feel good and I’m playing well at the moment, so I’m looking forward to the rest of the year,” she said after her win. “At the moment it’s just a case of me looking after my body – if I can move, I will play okay. I’m trying to look after myself and am aiming to be there at the Commonwealth Games.”
Grinham’s next outing will be as part of the Australian team at the World Games in Cali, Colombia, which begin on July 25.
