Monday PM Report From MARTIN BRONSTEIN: Martin unstoppable?
Martin Bronstein's Exclusive reports from Egypt
Al-Ahram women's first report, first round
FROM MARTIN BRONSTEIN AT CAIRO STADIUM
WORLD OPEN, Sept 13, Mon PM 1999, Cairo
First ROUND
MARTIN UNBEATABLE
With Sarah Fitz-Gerald sidelined after knee surgery and not making her official comeback until next year, Michelle Martin is simply unbeatable. She took the Heliopolis title at a trot last week and seeded one in this sixteen draw tournament, she is almost unstoppable. The early rounds are being played at the Cairo stadium, the other end of the town from the Pyramids, so the women are getting scant press attention as the journos stay around the hotel pool waiting for the evening matches of the Men's World Open.They'll be joining the big stage on Wendesday at the semi-final stage.
MARTIN UNBEATABLE
NOT OLDER BUT BETTER..MUCH BETTER...It seems ridiculous now, but a year or two ago Michelle Martin was about to give up the game and start havng babies. Fortunately she didn't and now she is a demonstration of just how good women's squash can be. She took England's Stephanie Brind apart in three games, leaving her gasping for air as she worked the ball around the court with bags of pace. It didn't hurt having the great Geoff Hunt and brother Rodney in her corner between games to give her advice - as if she need it.
I saw most of the first round matches and sadly have to report that perhaps only Suzanne Horner can give her any real competition.
GRAINGER FALLS AGAIN
Nathalie Grainger met fellow South African Claire Nitch in a strange match that saw her lead the first game 8-2 only to lose it 10-8, lose the second 9-4 and then move up several gears to win the next two without giving the former S.African champion a point. But in the fifth her drops shots continually hit the tin and Nitch hung in to take the game 9-7 to go through to the quarters. Neither of these players would take a game from Martin.
JOYCE A JOY
Leilanai Joynce of New Zealand is a name to watch. This slim delicate player has absolute confidence in her short game and, more importantly, knows exactly when to play the winning drop. The term clinical precision comes as she despatched England's Rebecca Macree in three.
Another start of the future is a Welsh girl with an Indian name and a nice line in drop shorts - Tegwen Malik. Although barely out of junior ranks, Malik had her more experienced opponent -Australian Carol Owens - running around in circles more than once. There was no chance of a win over the senior player and she went down in three, but once Malik gets a little more strength, she will be a contender
ANKLES AWAY
Sabine Schoene, who is now a crackshot in the German Army, is making her comeback after neary six months out with a knee injury but got little exercise as Fiona Geaves pulled out with a twisted ankle after the first game.The newly-married Cassie Jackman (now calling herself Campion) should have reached the final last week, but the England number one is still not realising her full potential and even though she beat Jennie Tranfield today,, she lacked the consistent precision that would make her a threat to Michelle Martin. Suzanne Horner won her usual attacking fluent fashion; hard to believe she is the World Over 35 champion!
