Australian interest at an end after Grinham loss

29-Aug-2010 - Squash Australia

Australian interest in the prestigious Hong Kong Open squash tournament is at an end after world number one Nicol David of Malaysia ousted Queensland’s Rachael Grinham in the semi-finals on Saturday.
David, looking for a sixth successive title win in Hong Kong, survived two close games with career-long rival Grinham before beating the Australian 11-9, 11-9, 11-5.
“Rachael and I have played each other so many times over the years,” David said after their 30th Tour clash since April 2000.
“I knew she would come out firing, and I just had to try and stick with her. Fortunately I managed to sneak the first two games and held my game together in the third.”
She will play second seed Jenny Duncalf in the final following Duncalf’s impressive 11-4, 11-4, 11-7 win over fellow Englishwoman Alison Waters.
The men’s final will be between second seeded Egyptian Ramy Ashour and Frenchman Gregory Gaultier, the fifth seed.

Semi-final results – prefix denotes seeding

Men

5-Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt 8-Peter Barker (ENG) 11-7, 11-3, 11-5
2-Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt 4-Karim Darwish (EGY) 11-5, 1-11, 11-9, 11-7

Women

1-Nicol David (MAS) bt 3-Rachael Grinham (AUS) 11-9, 11-9, 11-5
2-Jenny Duncalf (ENG) bt 4-Alison Waters (ENG) 11-4, 11-4, 11-7