Natalie Grainger, the world #7 Player who is based in Washington D.C. suffered a shocking four game defeat this afternoon in Poughkeepsie New York to a player 18 ranking points below her, Lauren Briggs.

This tough defeat follows a second round exit just five days ago in Houston Texas at the hands of eventual finalist there, Engy Kheirallah. Kheirallah is not appearing in Poukeepsie.

Day three at Vassar College in New York bore witness to some of the harsh realities of sport. In game one close friends and training partners faced off against each other, but only one would advance. In addition last year’s semifinalist, Isabelle Stoehr, was given a run for her money as qualifier Runa Reta took her to a fifth game. In all the matches there was just that little bit of grit and determination that separates the winners from the losers.

TANIA BAILEY AND DOM LLOYD WALTER
Bailey and Lloyd-Walter are close friends and they are training partners. Tania Bailey recently won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games, she is also the current British National Champion. The draw was cruel to Lloyd-Walter as she had to face a friend and an in-form friend at that. Bailey played her up-tempo fast paced game and cut off everything at the "T". She has a strong overhead and a vicious drop-shot. She used these to keep Lloyd-Walter from ever gaining any real initiative. That isn't to suggest that it was easy, far from it. The rallies were particularly long and well fought in the second game, and when in the third game Lloyd-Walter started to play the same game as her friend she took the fourth point and it looked like game on even at 4-8. But Bailey powered her way to the next round.

Isabelle Stoehr barely edged Runa Reta in five . (photo © 2006 Carlisle Stockton)

STOEHR AND RETA
Last year's semifinalist, Isabelle Stoehr attempted to lengthen the rallies and tire her opponent, Runa Reta, but the tactic almost misfired. The latter had come through the qualifying rounds and jumped ahead 2-1 in games. Stoehr regrouped and picked up the pace eventually avoiding what would have been a considerable upset.

REBECCA CHIU AND LAURA LENGTHORN
The score sheet never tells it all. In this case 9 unforced errors by Pierrepont at least offer some explanation. The Englishwoman who is an imposing figure on the squash court took on the somewhat diminutive Rebecca Chiu and it made for a compelling match. Pierrepont is an awkward opponent as she dominates the court and has a long reach. The smaller and quicker player, Chiu, darted hither and thither taking advantage of the errors to emerge victorious. Pierrepont will not play in a tournament for awhile and spend some time working on her game. A change is as good as a rest and no doubt she will soon be back in full force.

Fiona Geaves and her drop shots are part of WISPA legend. She is a wonderful stroke maker. Let her get the center of the court and the initiative and it is only a matter of time before you are packing your bags.  So credit is due Scotland’s Pam Nimmo, for she played a disciplined and deep game that gave Geaves problems. In addition Nimmo had some nice drop shots of her own to secure a good win. Both players entered the game knowing it could go either way, but also knowing that a good game would produce the desired result. Nimmo got over her early nerves and was able to execute her game plan.

Lengthorn ended Kippax's weekend . (photo © 2006 Carlisle Stockton)

LENGTHORN AND KIPPAX
Seeded number 4 in this tournament, England's Laura Lengthorn had a tough match against qualifier Sarah Kippax.  Lengthorn used the angles well and kept Kippax twisting and turning and it eventually paid dividends.  Kippax just found it difficult to really pressure her opponent.  Kippax, however, took the first game and felt the match was the best that she had played against her familiar opponent.

ABDEL KAWY AND TERAN
Omneya Abdel Kawy and Samantha Teran provided an extremely interesting game to onlookers.  As was expected, the match was contentious; shoelaces were tied and rackets were thrown! Both women have a fiery disposition and this was further accentuated by their red outfits.  Abdel Kawy, who arrived at twelve midnight on Sunday, and was rightfully tired from jet lag, failed to utilize her speed at the beginning of each game, but gradually she found her pace.  Teran proved to be a tough opponent as she ran extremely well, got nearly every ball, and was a fighter on every point. In the end, despite Kawy's slow starts, she came back strongly and finished the winner.  It just shows that mind can rule over matter.

Shelley Kitchen's plan against Sharon Wee proved to be a winning strategy. Knowing that Wee was a good retriever with a lethal front court game, Kitchen proceeded to rally deep and wait for Wee to make mistakes. Kitchen faces Briggs in the quarterfinals at 3:00 pm on Tuesday.

The upset of the tournament thus far was qualifier Lauren Briggs defeating number 1 seed and 7th ranked in the world Natalie Grainger. Briggs, who spoiled the defending champion's chances of retaining the title, is still riding high after recently winning the Swiss and Finnish Open titles. It may have been a case of each player being headed in different directions. Number 1 seed ed Grainger returned to the east coast last night from a disappointing Texas Open where she struggled with a chest infection through the entire event. She is not in the best of shape or form. Meanwhile the consistent play of Briggs and high confidence level generated by the two recent titles showed just how tight is it at the top of this sport. Kudos to Briggs for a well earned win.

Vassar Class of '32 WISPA Results      [COMPLETE MAIN DRAW]
First Round:
Tania Bailey (ENG) defeated Dominique Lloyd-Walter (ENG) 3-0. 9-1, 9-2, 9-4
Isabelle Stoehr (FRA) defeated Runa Reta (CAN) 3-2.  2-9, 9-4, 9-1, 2-9, 9-3
Rebecca Chiu (HK) defeated Suzie Pierrepont (ENG) 3-0.  9-6, 9-1, 9-6
Pamela Nimmo (SCO) defeated Fiona Geaves (ENG) 3-1.  9-2, 4-9, 9-3, 9-3
Laura Lengthorn (ENG) defeated Sarah Kippax (ENG) 3-1. 4-9, 9-5, 9-6, 9-2
Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGYPT) defeated Samantha Teran (MEX) 3-1. 9-6, 10-8,
9-10, 9-5
Shelley Kitchen (NZ) defeated Sharon Wee (MALAYSIA) 3-0. 9-5, 9-1, 9-4
Lauren Briggs (ENG) defeated Natalie Grainger (USA) 3-1. 9-2, 9-4, 5-9, 9-7