Kippax Falls short in English Clash [draw]

 Lloyd-Walter Wins Inaugural Reykjavik Title

Dominique Lloyd Walter - Raeykjavic winner over Sarah Kippax. photo:©2007 WISPA

Third seed Dominique Lloyd-Walter prevailed in an all-English final of the inaugural Women's Icelandair Group Classic to win the first ever WISPA Premiere Series squash event at Veggsport Squash Club in the Iceland capital Reykjavik.

Nursing an ankle injury, Lloyd-Walter had been unable to train before landing in Iceland - and thus her expectations were low.

However, her defeat of top seed Jaclyn Hawkes in the semi-finals had taken her through to an unexpected final - where she faced compatriot Sarah Kippax, the No4 seed.

Kippax started brightly and took the opening game.  But Lloyd-Walter, the 26-year-old world No22 from Harrow, fought back to clinch a notable 2-9, 9-6, 9-6, 9-5 victory in a minute short of an hour.

Having come through the disappointment of pulling out of the British Open earlier in the month, Lloyd-Walter was elated with her Reykjavik win:  "I have never won a tournament this big so I am really, really pleased.  I put in a lot of work this summer with Steve Townsend, Steve Evans and Jenny Tranfield.  All three have given me so much support and I am glad that I have now given something back to them."

Dominique Lloyd Walter fought off a blister. photo:©2007 WISPA

Asked about her foot issue, the new champion explained:  "It wasn't so much the blister but the taping restricting my movement a little and it was slipping until I fixed it.  I was thinking more about that than my game early on."

Lloyd-Walter maintains a distinctive record - having won all three WISPA World Tour final in which she has competed!

Kippax had mixed emotions:  "I am delighted to have got to the final but disappointed to have lost.  I started well and felt I was playing decisively.  But once I had taken the first and was up in the second I seemed to lose some momentum and she picked up the pace.

"But I gave it my best shot and I am happy as I have picked up some things to go away and work on," added the 24-year-old from Chester.

RESULTS:      Women's Icelandair Group Squash Classic, Reykjavik, Iceland

Final:
[3] Dominique Lloyd-Walter (ENG) bt [4] Sarah Kippax (ENG) 2-9, 9-6, 9-6, 9-5 (59m)