| Women's Monte Carlo Squash Classic, Monte Carlo, Monaco
Final: [1] Natalie Grinham (AUS) bt [2] Rachael Grinham (AUS) 9-7, 9-6, 9-7 (49m)
The clash was the Queensland siblings' 17th WISPA Tour meeting since their first in 2001 - their third in a final and their seventh this year!
But it also followed a string of three successive wins by Cairo-based Rachael - despite the Netherlands-based Natalie being ahead in the world rankings over the period.
Rachael led 7-2 in the first game and 7-3 in the third: But on both occasions Natalie, who had not dropped a game leading to the final, regained control before clinching the match 9-7, 9-6, 9-7 in 49 minutes.
"After winning in Seoul (in April), I hurt my foot, and then later on my wrist," explained Natalie, the world No2. "I am still having treatment for that and getting a little pain. But though I am not quite 100% I am well on the way," added the 29-year-old from Toowoomba who started the year with a win and ended it on a similar high.
But the two-time Monte Carlo champion acknowledged her slow start: "Rachael had been beating me and I was unsure how to play her - and I was too defensive and not confident enough. Then I relaxed and changed my game."
Rachael Grinham, who beat Natalie en-route to both her World Open and British Open triumphs in 2007, was delighted to have made her 45th WISPA final: "I was trying hard but not making smart shot decisions. I was pleased enough to make the final but maybe Natalie was more up for it."
Natalie - now the winner of 12 Tour titles, including four this year - was delighted to be presented with her Fred of Monaco ring. Runner-up Rachael was similarly enchanted with hers - and both praised local hospitality and the organisation of the Monaco Squash Federation. The pair will leave the Principality having offered up a splendid finale to the 12th Monte Carlo Classic.
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| Issued by Howard Harding on behalf of WISPA Women’s International Squash Players' Association Tel: (+44) 1737-243333; Mobile: (+44) 7773-325130; Email: [email protected] WISPA: Tel: (+44) 20 7222 1667; Email: [email protected] WSQ 4262 16 December 2007 |
