Corona Telcel Open, Grinham and Fitz-Gerald into finals

By Sarah Fitz-Gerald, reporting from Mexico City 4/29/2000.

WISPA Corona Telcel Mexico Open 2000

[latest draw]

Crowd Pleaser: Janie Thacker puts Rachel Grinham under pressure

The first semi final of the Corona Telcel Mexican Open was a real crowd pleaser lasting 75 minutes and the tournaments number 1 seed scrapping through a tough match to advance to the final.

England's Janie Thacker played intelligent squash against Rachael Grinham and provided high drama. She came back twice from 7-4 and 8-6 to take the first game 10/8. Then she succumbed to the pressure in the second game by 9/2. In the third game she found her form again from 6-3 in the third to win 10/8.

Rachael led once again 7-2 in the 4th before holding on to win 9/6. Janie was able to apply pressure once again in the 5th game at 7-6 when the world #14 put the ball away for winners combined with a backhand boast error from Thacker to close the match and move to the final.

I felt my match with Vicky Botwright showed my experience on the glass court and my drives were too strong for my younger opponent. Vicky was able to compete in the rallies, but I put her out of position enough to complete the rally. I won 9/0 9/4 9/2 in 27 mins.

Tomorrow I play my fellow Aussie, team member, Rachael. I defeated Rachael 3-0 recently in league, so I am confident of a win. Rachael has a variety of delay shots which I must be aware of, but I hope my strong drive and volley game will give me control of the centre.

SEMI FINAL RESULTS SATURDAY:

Rachael Grinham defeated Janie Thacker 8/10 9/2 8/10 9/6 9/7
Sarah Fitz-Gerald defeated Vicky Botwright 9/0 9/49/2

Interested in watching and learning from the best? Great women's squash videos have just been made available: The Eye Group has produced the complete Women's British Open Final in a well filmed, well produced, and interesting contest. Jean Delierre has made available a video of the 1992 Women's World Open final between legendary Susan Devoy and (at the time) up coming Michelle Martin. Devoy won the match and retired that same day.