Natalie Grinham Wins Barn burner
by Edel Costigan in Dublin © 2004

Quarterfinal action kept the Fitzwilliam club hopping tonight. Local star, Irish #1 Madeline Perry, stopped Carla Khan's run
[main draw/results]

Photo Right (© 2004 Debra Tessier) : Natalie Grinham won a 110 minute five gamer, replete with referees calls, over Rebecca Macree

April 16 - Rebecca Macree is reknowned for her physical style of play, and Australinan Natalie Grinham never gives quarter. So it was a collision waiting to happen. And when the referee failed to put his mark on the game early, the result was a game that kept the crowd entertained for 110 minutes but at the same time failed to meet its pure squash potential.

Grinham's victory by 9/3 8/10 9/6 9/10 9/7 over Macree was interrupted by numerous lets and much discussion.

Grinham took the first game in 13 minutes as she came out fast, dominated play, moved all over the court, and capitalized on Macree's unforced errors.

In the second game Grinham wasn't able to maintain the same level of high intensity; consequently she failed to continue hitting the ball as crisply and began making unforced errors. At this point the match ignited with the quality of the squash improving with each rally. Macree stepped up her own game and ran to a 6-1 lead mainly by cross-court lob set ups followed by winning volley drops on both sides.

Grinham regrouped, fought back to 8-7 game ball, only to hit a ball out of court and allow Macree to draw level at 8-8. Macree salvaged the second game 10-8 in 19 minutes.

In the third game Macree ran out to a 5-1 lead when Grinham appeared to suddenly switched it up a gear, Macree showed fatigue, and Grinham won 9-6 in 18 minutes.

The fourth game proved to be a 36 minute marathon where both players had runs of beautiful shot making and runs of unforced errors. At 8-8 set two both girls had numerous match / game balls, eventually Macree converted a game ball to even the match.

The fifth game lasted 24 minutes. This game started with both playing with more conviction and focus. Grinham went 5-0 with four “no let” decisions against Rebecca contributing. But Macree fought her way back to 5-3 . The ref warned Macree at this point about deliberately turning and interrupting the flow of play — one of Macree's characteristic moves that all the WISPA players are familiar with. At this point the scores were from winners rather than unforced errors. The match stayed close until 7-7 when Grinham pulled ahead and won 9-7.

Jenny Tranfield was much too strong for Dianne Desira, winning 9-2 9-0 9-0 in 30minutes.

VANESSA SHOWS HER STUFF
The Atkinson-Brind match provided the audience with a high level of squash. In the second Brind Played very well but was not able to sustain it.

Ireland is happy
Madeline Perry dominated yesterday's hero, Carla Khan, in 37 minutes. Perry came on court focused and hitting clean winners form all over the court. She carried this through the first game and again in the second until she led 8/1 when she seemed to ease off slightly and let Khan back into the game. Khan was clearly fatigued from her long battle with David the night before, but she marshalled her strength and demonstrated the shot making skills that had carried her through last night's match against David. At 8-8 in the second, Perry called set 2 refocused and cheered on by the home crowd won 10-8. In the third game Perry demonstrated her speed and racquet to win easily 9-1, to earn a semi final matchup with Vanessa Atkinson.

Quarterfinal Round Results, Fitzwilliam Club, Dublin Ireland, Friday Apr 16
[ Draw/results]

[1] Vanessa Atkinson (NL) def [6]Stephanie Brind (ENG) 9-4 6-9 9-2 9-7
[7] Madeline Perry (IRE) def Carla Khan (PAK) 8-6 10-8 9-1
[8] Jenny Tranfield (ENG) beat [Q]Dianne Desira (AUS) 9-2 9-0 9-0
[2] Natalie Grinham (AUS) def [5] Rebecca Macree (ENG) 9-3 8-10 9-6 9-10 9-7