Omneya Abdel Kawi impressive in upset win over Tranfield

10.11.00 Birmingham, SquashTalk News by Sarah Fitz-Gerald

[also: complete day one women, day one men's draw]

Egyptian teenager Omneya Abdel Kawi caused the first upset in the women's first round of the 2000 British Open in Birmingham played at the Edgbaston Priory Club fighting back from 2-0 down to defeat England's World No 16 Jenny Tranfield 7/9,6/9,9/3,9/4,9/5.

The talented 1999 World Junior Finalist from Cairo, showed her potential with the racquet as she moved her opponent around the court with confidence.

The second upset of the day was provided by Scottish No 1, Pamela Nimmo, who took four games to dispose of the German No1 Sabine Schoene 5/9,9/3,9/4,9/6. Nimmo took advantage of the tiring Schoene who was still not fully fit from the bout of flu she suffered during the Australasian tour last month.

South Africa's, Annelize Naude, forced England' s Fiona Geaves to work hard before being able to take her place in the next round winning 10/8,4/9,3/9,10/8,9/1, while rising Swiss talent Agnes Muller, was forced to retire in her match against World No 4, Linda Charman, with strained back muscles after many front court clashes.

Danish No 1, Ellen Peterson, tried her heart out, but the warm court conditions at the Priory Club suited my game perfectly as my length drives opened up the court too much providing openings I needed to win 9/0,9/2,9/0 and take my place in the second round.

The eight matches held on the perspex court at the National Indoor Arena (NIA) showed the rising talent emerging from non traditional countries, with French No 1 Isabelle Stoehr playing excellent front court volleys and drops, and holding game ball in the second, before World No 13 Stephanie Brind eventually took control of the pace winning 3/9,10/8,9/4,9/4 in 41minutes.

Dutch No 1 Vanessa Atkinson, needed to dig deep against the challenge of Manchester's Vicky Botwright requiring 63 minutes to win 9/3,8/10,5/9,9/7,9/2. Former World No 3, Sue Wright, from Aylesbury in England, required many referring decisions to determine points and front court clashes against compatriot Rebecca Macree, before advancing 9/4,8/10,8/10,9/1,9/4 to the second round in 68 minutes.

As for my own chances tomorrow, I have not played any one in the Top 10 since April, so I am thoroughly looking forward to my match with Natalie Grainger tomorrow. I also have not played on a perspex court since December last year, so I this gives me a great opportunity to test myself mentally and physically.

• Golestan Radwan: Egypt
• Tomas Barva, Czech Republic
• David Blick, Alaska USA
• Kim Tunney: Midwest USA
• Andre Maur: Atlanta USA
• Paul Ansdell: Massachusetts USA
  

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