Carla Khan Upsets Nicol David for Breakthrough Win
by Edel Costigan in Dublin © 2004

First round play got underway in Dublin today. Local star, Irish #1 Madeline Perry, survived a gruelling first round contest.
[main draw/results]

Photo Right (© 2004 Debra Tessier) : Jenny Tranfield cruised into the second round tonight against Sharon Wee. Wee put up a good fight in the first game but wilted under Tranfield's pressure in games two and three.

April 15 - Parity was the order of the day today in the first day of action at the Nivea Body Women's Irish Open today at the Fitzwilliam Club in Dublin, Ireland. The local organizers who two years ago hosted a top-flight men's pro event, made the decision that bringing WISPA events to Dublin would be the way to bring local fans world class squash in the future. That decision was definitely validated in the first round today, as a number of thrilling contests came down.

Irish star Madeline Perry kept hopes alive tonight as she fought to pull off a 3/2 victory over England's Alison Waters. (photo: courtesy of www.grinhamsisters.com)

Perry cruised to victory in the first game 9-7. Both players put themselves under immediate pressure, as both their short games seemed to have deserted them.

With the first game out of her system, the second game was a different story as Perry hit winners from all parts of the court. There seemed nothing that Waters seemed able to do.

But in The third game Perry lost her focus and consequently her short game deserted her. Waters tightened up her game and added deception to it.

Waters retained the momentum and she took an easy 9-1 victory in the fourth.

In the final game Perry rode the energy provided by the cheering home crowd to a focused, controlled start. She went out to a 4-1 lead only to hit three unforced errors to allow Waters to draw even at 4-4. But a beautifully executed forehand volley drop stemmed the tide of errors. Perry pulled ahead to 8-5 when Waters was victimized by a controversial no let. The crowd felt for Waters and showed it by cheering for her when she won the next point. Waters pulled to 7-9 but Perry put an end to it all by hitting a forehand drop winner. The controversial call was only one of several that were sprinkled through a few of the matches this evening.

Surprise Results of the night

Carla Khan started to step up to the mark and put Nicol David under pressure. (photo: courtesy of www.grinhamsisters.com)

The first game didn't give any signs of what was to come as David took the game comfortably. But in the second frame, Khan started to step up to the mark and put David under pressure. Khan was now taking the initiative with David playing the role of the retriever.

David was forced to sprint around the court to try to stay in the rallies. At 8-8 Khan called set two and pulled it out 10-8. The game was played at a fast pace and at times the players became entangled. The referee spoke to both players about clearing.

The third game see-sawed back and forward while each player displayed the best of their shot making and retrieval skills. At times the crowd gasped at the amazing gets made by both players. At 8-8 khan again called set two this time the progress to 10 was slow as they exchanged service numerous times at 9-9 before Khan pulled out the winner.

Half way through the fourth game, Nicol David seemed to finally tire of her role as the retriever and stepped her game up a notch. But Khan was not going to allow her to make the transition easily as she drew even at 7-7 but David was determined to stay in the match she won the equalizer 9-7.

But in the fifth, Khan came out completely in the zone and in a shot making mood as she could do no wrong and ran ahead to a 8-1 lead before David could make a dent in the deficit but at 8-7 Khan had enough and won 9-7. It was an 85 minute contest.

MORE PARITY
Tegwen Malik, the Welsh player who was out of action for more than a season with a mystery virus, showed decisively her return to form as she pushed Rebecca Macree to the limit, losing in four very closely fought games.

Lucky loser Diane Desira, who took the number four seed spot in place of injured Linda Charman, got a surprise win over Amelia Pittock. She advances to meet Jenny Tranfield in the next round. Tranfield scored a win over Malaysia's Sharon Wee.

Top seeds Vanessa Atkinson and Natalie Grinham both fought down challenges in the first game and both cruised to straight game victories.

First Round Results, Fitzwilliam Club, Dublin Ireland, Thursday Apr 15
[ Draw/results]

1st round:
[1] Vanessa Atkinson (NED) bt [Q] Dominique Lloyd-Walter (ENG) 9-7, 9-4, 9-0
[6] Stephanie Brind (ENG) bt Annelize Naude (NED) 9-4, 9-7, 9-1
Carla Khan (PAK) bt [4] Nicol David (MAS) 7-9, 10-8, 10-9, 7-9, 9-3
[7] Madeline Perry (IRL) bt Alison Waters (ENG) 9-4, 9-5, 7-9, 1-9, 9-7
[8] Jenny Tranfield (ENG) bt Sharon Wee (MAS) 9-7, 9-1, 9-1
Dianne Desira (AUS) bt [Q] Amelia Pittock (AUS) 9-6, 9-5, 9-2
[5] Rebecca Macree (ENG) bt [Q] Tegwen Malik (WAL) 8-10, 9-3, 10-8, 9-3
[2] Natalie Grinham (AUS) bt [Q] Vicky Lankester (ENG) 9-7, 9-2, 9-1