Aussie stalwart shows his mettle with two trophies in a week
By KIM SCHRAMM – Squash Mad Australia correspondent
An outback adventure to the Northern Territory has been most rewarding for Mike Corren. Despite his body feeling worse for wear, after his Darwin Top End victory, the 40 year old has bagged yet another title with a gutsy win in the NT Open in Alice Springs.
The number two seed beat Tsz Fung Yip for the second week in a row to take his tour title tally to an incredible 49 crowns! He won the tough 59 minute final 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 14-12.
He can thank number one seed Jan Koukal for taking the edge off the young Chinese player by keeping him on the court for 72 minutes in their semi final match up. #3 seed Tsz Fung Yip prevailed 14-12, 6-11, 7-11, 14-12, 11-9 in a tight match up.
Whilst the Moose was relieved to have won he was also full of praise for his younger opponent. “Yip was phenomenal, though his match against Jan in the morning was brutal and to come up like he did was quite staggering. I can’t credit him enough. He had all the skills and physical attributes today and also showed a massive amount of ticker.”
The women’s event saw Christine Nunn reach the semi finals for the second week in a row. On both occasions she has lost her semi final match up to the eventual winner of the tournament. This time she bowed out to #1 seed Megan Craig from New Zealand in three 2-11, 6-11, 5-11.
Sadly, the British Open wasn’t a happy hunting ground for the Aussies in 2014 with Kasey Brown, our best performer, exiting in the second round.
The highlight of the week was the announcement of the Australian Commonwealth Games team. The 10 player squad will see David Palmer sneak back into the limelight for a 5th Commonwealth Games.
With two silver and four bronze medals to his name, a gold medal would be the “cherry on the cake” for the former two-time World Champion.
Congratulations to the debutants Zac Alexander, Sarah Cardwell and Steven Finitsis.
TEAM MEMBERS – WOMEN: Kasey Brown (28), Lisa Camilleri (31), Sarah Cardwell (22), Rachael Grinham (37), Donna Urquhart (27)
MEN: Zac Alexander (25), Ryan Cuskelly (26), Steven Finitsis (31), David Palmer (37), Cameron Pilley (31).
Results Round Up
$5,000 Men’s NT Open 2014 – Australia
Final: [2] Mike Corren (AUS) bt [3] Tsz Fung Yip (HKG) 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 14-12 (59m)
$100,000 Women’s Allam British Open 2014 – England
1st Round:
[14] Kasey Brown (AUS) bt [WC] Emily Whitlock (ENG) 11-8, 11-4, 7-11, 11-4 (47m)
[9] Annie Au (HKG) bt [Q] Donna Urquhart (AUS) 7-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-3 (41m)
Joshana Chinappa (IND) bt [15] Rachael Grinham (AUS) 7-11, 11-7, 5-11, 11-2, 11-6 (44m)
2nd Round:
[3] Raneem El Welily (EGY) bt [14] Kasey Brown (AUS) 11-5, 11-6, 11-3 (20m)
$150,000 Men’s Allam British Open 2014 – England
1st Round:
[Q] Gregoire Marche (FRA) bt Cameron Pilley (AUS) 9-11, 3-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-4 (80m)