Indian ace upsets top seed Rachael Grinham for the first time to win inaugural WSA event in Virginia
By HOWARD HARDING – Squash Mad WSA Correspondent
Indian squash star Joshana Chinappa sensationally ended a career-long losing run to Australia’s former world champion Rachael Grinham when she upset the top seed in straight games in the final of the Women’s Richmond Open to win the inaugural Women’s Squash Association World Tour event in the USA.
Chinappa, the 27-year-old world No.21 from Chennai, was marking her 16th Tour final in the WSA Tour 10 event at The Country Club of Virginia in Richmond – while 37-year-old Grinham, a former world No.1 from Queensland, was celebrating a mighty 65th final appearance since making her first Tour final back in March 1998.
“Starting the first game, Grinham came out swinging, firing her way to a 6-2 lead – however Chinappa surged back through consistent play to level the game off at 6-6,” explained event spokesman Kristen Lange.
“From here it was a battle to 11, with the lead oscillating between the two players until a couple unfortunate mistakes gave Chinappa the first game 11-9.
“Continuing to ride the momentum Chinappa, in a matter of minutes created a 6-1 lead over Grinham. She continued the fast pace that gave her this lead and even though Grinham scored a few more points she was not able to counter the pace and accuracy of Chinappa as she won the second game 11-5.
“The start of the third game was once again all Chinappa as she quickly sailed to an 8-2 lead. Never one to be counted out Grinham fought her way back to 8-8, however it was a case of too little too late as Grinham made three critical errors to give Joshana her first win over the courageous Australian in a stunning 3/0 shocker of a match.”
WSA Richmond Open, Richmond, Virginia, USA.
First Round:
[1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt Belen Etchechoury (ARG) 11-5, 11-3, 11-3
[5] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) bt Alicia Rodriguez Acosta (MEX) 11-8, 11-5, 11-3
[4] Siyoli Waters (RSA) bt Diana Garcia (MEX) 11-2, 11-5, 11-5
[7] Kristen Lange (USA) bt Ivonne Diaz (MEX) 11-7, 11-9, 11-3
[6] Sarah Cardwell (AUS) bt Colette Sultana (MLT) 11-4, 11-9, 11-6
[3] Latasha Khan (USA) bt Larissa Stephenson (NZL) 11-8, 11-7, 11-4
Catalina Pelaez (COL) bt [8] Cecelia Cortes (USA) 11-8, 11-6, 11-5
[2] Joshana Chinappa (IND) bt Fernanda Rocha (ARG) 11-2, 11-8, 11-6
Quarter-finals:
[1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [5] Sabrina Sobhy (USA) 10-12, 11-4, 11-8, 11-5
[4] Siyoli Waters (RSA) bt [7] Kristen Lange (USA) 4-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-13, 11-3
[3] Latasha Khan (USA) bt [6] Sarah Cardwell (AUS) 11-9, 9-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-4
[2] Joshana Chinappa (IND) bt Catalina Pelaez (COL) 11-5, 11-5, 9-11, 11-7
Semi-finals:
[1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [4] Siyoli Waters (RSA) 8-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-7 (45m)
[2] Joshana Chinappa (IND) bt [3] Latasha Khan (USA) 11-7, 11-8, 11-5 (27m)
Final:
[2] Joshana Chinappa (IND) bt [1] Rachael Grinham (AUS) 11-9, 11-5, 11-8 (40m)
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