2010

All four top seeds made Dutch semis!

November 19, 2010 • Tags: , , , , , , • Categories: all posts, tournaments

Vanessa Atkinson (pic) and Natalie Grinham secured Dutch interests, when they beat their opponents to reach the semi-finals. Grinham overcame Dutch Orla Noom in straight games (11-8, 11-6, 11-5) and Atkinson was extended to the fully distance by England’s Sarah Kippax (11-3, 6-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-5). The two top seeds Australian Rachael Grinham and Irish Madeline Perry did never face any problems to beat Italian Manuela Manetta (11-7, 11-1, 11-7) an Irish Aisling Blake in straight games (11-3, 11-9, 11-7). Semi-finals line-up: [1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) v [4] Vanessa Atkinson (NED), [2] Madeline Perry (IRL) v [3] Natalie Grinham (NED).

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Borja brought down by Abbas in Santiago!

November 19, 2010 • Tags: , , , , , • Categories: all posts, tournaments

Spaniard Borja Golan’s bid to win a second PSA title in two years in his home town ended at the city of Santiago de Compostela when he was beaten by fellow non-seed Mohammed Abbas (pic) in the quarter-finals of the Santiago Open. In a match lasting 72 minutes, it was Egyptian Abbas who finally prevailed 11-5, 3-11, 11-9, 11-13, 11-8. Abbas now lines up against top seed Adrian Grant, who was extended for 45 minutes by Stephen Coppinger before beating the unseeded from Cape Town 11-5, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6. There is Egyptian interest in the other semi-final where Omar Mosaad takes on Flying Finn Olli Tuominen. Mosaad, the 2nd seed, despatched Colombia’s Miguel Angel Rodriguez 11-7, 11-7, 11-9 while Tuominen, the 3rd seed from Helsinki, came back from one game down to beat Arturo Salazar (MEX) 6-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-5.

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Finitsis downs Frankcomb in Dutch Open!

November 19, 2010 • Tags: , , , , • Categories: all posts, tournaments

It was the Australian qualifier Steve Finitsis (pic ri) who produced the only upset in the 1st round of the men’s Dutch Open, when he outs fellow compatriot Aaron Frankcomb (pic le) in four games (11-6, 11-9, 4-11, 11-9). Quarter-finals line up: [1] Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) v [5] Hisham Mohd Ashour (EGY), [4] Stewart Boswell (AUS) v [6] Simon Rosner (GER), [3] Alister Walker (ENG) v [7] Chris Ryder (ENG), [2] Cameron Pilley (AUS) v [Q] Steve Finitsis (AUS).

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Orla Noom reaches Dutch Open quarters!

November 18, 2010 • Tags: , , , • Categories: all posts, tournaments

Only Dutch Orla Noom (pic, front) managed to beat a higher ranked player in the women’s draw at the Dutch Open in Rotterdam. Noom overcame 7th seed American Latasha Khan in four games (11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7) after 41 minutes. Quarter-final line up: [1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) v [8] Manuela Manetta (ITA), [4] Vanessa Atkinson (NED) v [5] Sarah Kippax (ENG), [3] Natalie Grinham (NED) v Orla Noom (NED), [2] Madeline Perry (IRL) v [6] Aisling Blake (IRL).

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Pallikal powers to historic title in Nepal!

November 16, 2010 • Tags: , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

India’s Dipika Pallikal (pic) made her mark in squash history by winning the Women’s Nepal Open, the first Tour event to be staged in Nepal, when she beat New Zealander Kylie Lindsay 10-12, 11-2, 11-1, 11-5. The $10,900 WISPA World Tour championship attracted international players from Pakistan, Switzerland, South Africa, New Zealand, and top seed Pallikal from India. Nepal’s first international squash tournament was inaugurated by Prachanda Man Shrestha, CEO of Nepal Tourism Board, who said that the event had played a significant role in promoting the sport as well as tourism in the country.

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Koukal takes his 6th title in Baltimore!

November 16, 2010 • Tags: , , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

Czech squash star Jan Koukal (pic) charged to his 6th PSA World Tour title of the year when he beat England’s Adrian Waller in the final of the Baltimore Cup, in Baltimore, USA. The 2nd seed from Prague faced surprise opponent Waller after the 4th seed from England upset top-seeded compatriot Chris Simpson in straight games in the semi-finals. Waller battled for four games against his higher ranked opponent – but it was Koukal who prevailed 11-9, 3-11, 11-7, 12-10 to collect the 17th Tour title of his career.

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Anjema and Grinham head strong fields at Dutch Open!

November 14, 2010 • Tags: , , , , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

Tommy Berden, promoter of the Dutch Open 2010, has announced the draws of the event that will take place from November 16-21 in Rotterdam. Dutch ace Laurens Jan Anjema, the world No.11, and Australian star Rachael Grinham, ranked 5 in the world, head the entry lists for the biggest squash championship on Dutch soil this year. In the men’s event 27-year old Anjema will face strong competition from Australia’s Cameron Pilley (16), Stewart Boswell (19), England’s Alister Walker (18), Egypt’s Hisham Ashour (25) and Germany’s Simon Rosner (33). 33-year old Grinham, a former World Champion, heads the strong women’s field, which also includes Madeline Perry (6) and Aisling Blake (24) from Ireland, Vanessa Atkinson (11), Annelize Naude (41), Orla Noom (42) and Natalie Grinham (62) from the host country, England’s Sarah Kippax (22) and America’s Latasha Khan (29).
Dutch Open Squash
www.dutchopensquash.nl
Dutch Open Squash

David and Darwish did it in Qatar!

November 12, 2010 • Tags: , , , , , , , • Categories: all posts, players, tournaments

The Malaysian World No. 1 Nicol David and the Egyptian Karim Darwish are the new Qatar Classic champions. David needed just 34 minutes to take her 50th tour title against Australian 4th seed Rachael Grinham 11-5, 11-8, 11-9. In the all-Egyptian final, it was Karim Darwish who had more left in the tank, after both had tough semi-final games. Amr Shabana was able to built up a one game lead, but Darwish fought back. Darwish took the 2nd and 3rd game quite easy to secure in the 4th after 53 minutes his Qatar victory with his first match ball.

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