SquashTalk>News >Monte Carlo Womens Classic [last update was 16-dec-00 ]

Geaves and Brind reach finals of the Monte Carlo WISPA Classic.

12.16.00 by Howard Harding

(photos: Fiona Geaves (top) and Stephanie Brind - Squashtalk file photos, © 2000 Ron Beck)

GEAVES & BRIND IN ALL-ENGLISH MONTE CARLO FINAL Fiona Geaves and Stephanie Brind will meet in the first all-English final of the $17,000 Women's Monte Carlo Squash Classic after upsetting higher-seeded players in the semi-finals in Monaco. Third seed Geaves, the world No10 from Gloucester appearing in her first final in five successive Monte Carlo Classics, lost concentration at match ball 8-2 up in the fifth game, allowing her English opponent Suzanne Horner, the top seed, to stage a late fightback.

"I knew I had to buckle down to win," said underdog Geaves, who ultimately secured her 9-3 5-9 9-3 2-9 9-7 victory in 48 minutes. Kent's fourth Stephanie Brind, who heroically clinched victory for England's in last month's final of the Women's World Team Championships in Sheffield, had an easier route to the final with a 9-1 10-8 9-3 win in 32 minutes over second seed Rachael Grinham. The Australian took an 8-3 lead in the second game, but brave Brind battled back to 8-8 in a single hand.

RESULTS: Women's Monte Carlo Classic, Monaco

Semi-finals:
[3] Fiona Geaves (ENG) bt [1] Suzanne Horner (ENG) 9-3 5-9 9-3 2-9 9-7
[4] Stephanie Brind (ENG) bt [2] Rachael Grinham (AUS) 9-1 10-8 9-3

Quarter-finals:
[1] Suzanne Horner (ENG) bt [6] Natalie Grinham (AUS) 9-0 9-1 9-5
[3] Fiona Geaves (ENG) bt [7] Vicky Botwright (ENG) 9-7 9-2 9-7
[4] Stephanie Brind (ENG) bt [5] Pamela Nimmo (SCO) 9-5 8-10 9-4 9-1
[2] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [8] Isabelle Stoehr (FRA) 9-6 9-6 9-7

1st round:
[1] Suzanne Horner (ENG) bt Lisa McKenna (SCO) 9-2 9-2 9-1
[6] Natalie Grinham (AUS) bt Shabana Khan (USA) 9-0 9-2 9-4
[3] Fiona Geaves (ENG) bt Wendy Maitland (SCO) 9-0 6-9 9-4 9-0
[7] Vicky Botwright (ENG) bt Cheryl Beaumont (ENG) 9-1 9-2 9-1
[5] Pamela Nimmo (SCO) bt Janie Thacker (ENG) 4-9 5-9 9-5 9-4 9-1
[4] Stephanie Brind (ENG) bt Elin Blikra (NOR) 9-1 9-6 9-7
[8] Isabelle Stoehr (FRA) bt Kate Allison (ENG) 9-4 9-1 9-1
[2] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt Corinne Castets (FRA) 9-3 9-3 9-3

• Golestan Radwan: Egypt
• Debra Tessier, at large
• Tomas Barva, Czech Republic
• Daniel Tambelini, Brazil
• Kim Tunney: Midwest USA
• Andre Maur: Atlanta USA
• Paul Ansdell: Massachusetts USA
  

  to become a regional reporter send mail to editor@squashtalk.com