Grainger reaches another final

Alison Waters kept Rachael Grinham at bay. Photo: ©2009 Ham Biggar

ALISON WATERS STUNS CLEVELAND CROWD

Over 150 spectators crammed behind the court in anticipation of seeing the number one seed Rachael Grinham have a real test against the third seed, world number 6 Alison Waters. What the crowd witnessed stunned them into almost a breathless silence as the disbelief of what they were seeing sunk in. Alison put on a display of the highest caliber as she kept the former world number one on the defensive then finished rallies with some decisive shot making. Rachael was only able to put two points on the board in the first game but it was not through errors that she found herself in the position, Alison took advantage of any lose ball by burying the next shot in a straight nick. Rachael tried slowing the pace a little in the second but without any success and when she worked the ball into the front Alison was able to pick up anything that was thrown at her using her long stride. At 5-5 in the third it looked as though the Aussie was going to somehow find a way back into the match but Alison had other ideas, with the assistance of a couple of errors from Rachael’s racket she was able to win six straight points to progress to the final.

Natalie Grainger advanced at the expense of Laura Lengthorn-Massaro. Photo: ©2009 Ham Biggar

Earlier in the evening Natalie Grainger took another step closer to notching up a hatrick of wins in Cleveland by defeating Laura Lengthorn-Massaro. The first game was close all the way to 9-9 with both players producing excellent length and tight volleys into the front corners. Any chance either player opened at the front of the court was dealt with a great variety of holds and deception. In recent weeks Natalie has been playing the big points well and tonight was no exception, she hung in long enough at 9-9 for Laura to make a mistake and then she converted the game ball with a very tight drop into the backhand front corner. Once she had the first game in the bag Natalie was able to raise her game another notch as she jumped on anything that could be volleyed. Laura didn’t quite have the response to the assault and despite playing some excellent squash herself was always chasing rather than being out in front.

If both finalists produce the quality of play they brought to the court this evening then the Cleveland Racquet Club crowd will be in for a treat tomorrow.

RESULTS:               Women's Burning River Open, Cleveland, OH, USA    [view Draw/results]

SEMIS
[4] Alison Waters (ENG) beat [1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) 11-2, 11-4, 11-5
[2] Natalie Grainger (USA) beat Laura Lengthorn-Massaro (ENG) 11-9, 11-6, 11-8

 

 

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